Fact Check: Has the 18th installment of PM Kisan been credited?

Has the 18th Installment of PM Kisan Been Credited?

The claim in question revolves around whether the 18th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme has been credited to eligible farmers' accounts. The PM-KISAN scheme, initiated by the Government of India, aims to provide financial assistance to farmers by transferring ₹2,000 every four months to their bank accounts. This article will explore the available evidence regarding the status of the 18th installment.

What We Know

Announcement of the 18th Installment: According to multiple sources, the 18th installment was scheduled for release on October 5, 2024. Reports from Mint and Economic Times confirm this date, stating that eligible farmers would receive ₹2,000 each on this day 3 10.
Release Confirmation: A report from Jagran Josh states that the 18th installment was indeed credited on October 5, 2024, with over 9.4 crore farmers receiving the funds 7. This aligns with the information provided by the official PM-Kisan website, which is a primary source for updates on the scheme 1.
Current Status: As of the latest updates, the PM-Kisan website indicates that the 19th installment was released on February 24, 2025, suggesting that the 18th installment was credited as planned 2.
Payment Mechanism: The PM-Kisan scheme operates on a four-month cycle, meaning that each installment is intended to support farmers during critical agricultural periods. The scheme has been in operation since its launch in 2019, and the government has consistently released funds as per the schedule 1.

Analysis

Source Evaluation

Official Government Sources: The PM-Kisan website 1 and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) 2 are credible sources, as they are official government platforms. They provide verified information directly from the government, which is generally reliable.
News Outlets: Sources like Mint 3, Jagran Josh 7, and Economic Times 10 are reputable news organizations that report on government initiatives. However, while they strive for accuracy, their reports can sometimes include editorial bias or sensationalism, which should be considered when evaluating their claims.
Potential Conflicts of Interest: While the government sources are less likely to have conflicts of interest, media outlets may have their own agendas, such as attracting readership or aligning with certain political views. Therefore, it is crucial to cross-reference information across multiple outlets.

Methodology and Evidence

The methodology for confirming the release of the installment primarily relies on announcements made by the government and subsequent reports from news outlets. However, the lack of independent verification (e.g., farmer testimonials or bank statements) raises questions about the immediacy and accuracy of the claims regarding the actual crediting of funds.

Supporting and Contradicting Evidence

Supporting Evidence: The reports from the PM-Kisan website and PIB confirm that the installment was released on the specified date, which is a strong indication of its accuracy 1 2.
Contradicting Evidence: There is no substantial contradicting evidence presented in the available sources. However, anecdotal evidence from farmers or local news reports could provide additional context regarding the actual receipt of funds.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that the 18th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme has been credited to eligible farmers' accounts is deemed false based on the evidence reviewed. While reports from credible sources indicate that the installment was scheduled for release on October 5, 2024, and subsequent updates suggest that the 19th installment was released on February 24, 2025, there is no definitive evidence confirming that the funds were actually credited to farmers' accounts on the stated date.

It is important to note that the evidence primarily relies on government announcements and media reports, which, while credible, do not provide independent verification of the actual crediting of funds. The absence of farmer testimonials or bank statements further limits the ability to confirm the claim with certainty.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the context and sources of claims, particularly in matters concerning financial assistance programs. The verification of such claims often requires more robust evidence than what is currently available.