PM Kisan App: Face Authentication eKYC and Status
- Developed by
- NIC (National Informatics Centre)
- First launched
- 2020
- Face authentication added
- 22 Jun 2023
- Companion app needed
- Aadhaar Face RD (Google Play)
- eKYC for others
- Up to 100 neighbours per farmer
- eKYC status updates
- After about 24 hours
Many older farmers struggle with eKYC. The OTP goes to a mobile number that was closed years ago, or worn fingers fail at the CSC machine. For them, the face authentication feature in the PM-KISAN mobile app is a real relief: the phone camera checks the face against Aadhaar and the eKYC is done.
The app was first launched in 2020. Its face authentication version was launched on 22 June 2023 by the then Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and it was developed by NIC. KisanRi Guide is an independent guide with no app of its own; everything below refers to the government's PM-KISAN app.
What the Official App Can Do
| Feature | What it does for you |
|---|---|
| Face authentication eKYC | Completes PM Kisan eKYC using your face and Aadhaar, with no Aadhaar OTP or fingerprint |
| Know Your Status | Shows your registration and payment details |
| Land, bank and eKYC status | Shows whether land seeding, Aadhaar bank seeding and eKYC are "Yes" or "No" |
| Self-registration | Lets a new farmer apply for PM Kisan from the phone |
| eKYC for neighbours | A farmer can do face eKYC for up to 100 other farmers; state officials can do it for up to 500 each |
The features listed here come from NIC and PIB descriptions of the app. Screen labels can change with updates.
Before You Start: What You Need
- An Android smartphone with a working front camera and internet.
- The PM-KISAN app and the Aadhaar Face RD app, both installed from Google Play, as the official eKYC note instructs.
- Your PM Kisan registered mobile number, because you log in with it.
- Your Aadhaar number.
- Good light on the face, no cap, and glasses removed if they cause glare.
If you are not yet registered for PM Kisan, register first. See the PM Kisan registration guide.
हिंदी में सारांश
पीएम किसान मोबाइल ऐप भारत सरकार का आधिकारिक ऐप है, जिसे एनआईसी ने बनाया है। यह पहली बार 2020 में आया और 22 जून 2023 को इसमें चेहरे से ई-केवाईसी की सुविधा जोड़ी गई। ई-केवाईसी के लिए गूगल प्ले से पीएम किसान ऐप और आधार फेस आरडी ऐप इंस्टॉल करें, पीएम किसान में पंजीकृत मोबाइल नंबर से लॉगिन करें, लाभार्थी स्थिति में ई-केवाईसी 'नहीं' हो तो ई-केवाईसी पर टैप करें, आधार नंबर डालें, सहमति दें और चेहरा स्कैन करें। स्थिति लगभग 24 घंटे में अपडेट होती है। एक किसान ऐप से 100 पड़ोसी किसानों की ई-केवाईसी कर सकता है। नकली ऐप से सावधान रहें, व्हाट्सऐप पर आई एपीके फाइल इंस्टॉल न करें और कभी ओटीपी साझा न करें। सीएससी पर बायोमेट्रिक ई-केवाईसी का शुल्क ₹15 है।
Face Authentication eKYC: Step by Step
These steps follow the official PM-KISAN note on modes of eKYC.
- Install the PM-KISAN app and the Aadhaar Face RD app from Google Play.
- Open the PM-KISAN app and log in with your PM Kisan registered mobile number.
- Open your beneficiary status screen. Look at the eKYC field.
- If eKYC shows "No", tap eKYC.
- Enter your Aadhaar number and give consent.
- The camera opens through Aadhaar Face RD. Hold the phone at eye level and keep still until the face scan finishes.
- Wait for the success message. The eKYC status updates in beneficiary status after about 24 hours.
- Next day, confirm it shows "Yes" in the app or under Know Your Status on the official PM Kisan portal (pmkisan.gov.in).
If you prefer OTP or fingerprint instead, the PM Kisan eKYC guide compares all three methods.
Helping Neighbours: eKYC for up to 100 Farmers
PIB (November 2025) says a farmer can use the app to do face authentication eKYC for up to 100 neighbouring farmers, and state officials for up to 500 farmers each. This is a big help in a village where only a few people have smartphones.
- Do the eKYC with the farmer physically present. The face scan must be of the farmer himself or herself.
- Never keep another farmer's Aadhaar copy or note down OTPs.
- Do not charge money for it. If you are a CSC operator, follow your CSC rules; the official convenience fee for biometric eKYC at a CSC is ₹15.
Beware of Fake Kisan Apps
Search "kisan app" on any app store and you will see dozens of look-alikes. Some show ads, some collect Aadhaar and bank details, and some promise to "release" a pending kist. Protect yourself:
- The genuine app was developed by NIC for the Government of India. Avoid apps published by individuals or unknown companies that use the PM Kisan name.
- Never install an APK file sent on WhatsApp or Telegram. Install only from Google Play.
- No genuine app asks you to pay to receive PM Kisan money.
- Never share an OTP with a caller who says he is "from the app".
- For other official farmer apps and numbers, see our kisan apps and helplines directory.
When the App Does Not Work
| Problem | Likely reason | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot log in | Mobile number is not the one registered in PM Kisan | Use the registered number; ask about mobile update through the PM Kisan helpline |
| Face scan keeps failing | Poor light, camera quality or Aadhaar Face RD missing | Install or update Aadhaar Face RD, try in daylight, or use fingerprint eKYC at a CSC |
| eKYC still "No" after success | Status takes time to update | Wait about 24 hours, then check again |
| eKYC "Yes" but no money | Land seeding or Aadhaar bank seeding is "No" | Read the bank seeding guide and the payment problems page |
App, Portal or Chatbot: Which to Use
The app is best for face eKYC and quick checks. The official PM Kisan portal (pmkisan.gov.in) is better for registration on a computer and for the Know Your Status page, which asks for your registration number and an OTP sent to your eKYC-registered mobile; see the PM Kisan status guide. For questions, the portal links to Kisan-eMitra, an AI voice chatbot that works 24x7 in 11 languages. The helpline 155261 is listed by PIB as a 24x7 helpline.
Frequently asked questions
How do I do PM Kisan face authentication eKYC in the app?
Install the PM-KISAN app and the Aadhaar Face RD app from Google Play. Log in with your PM Kisan registered mobile number, open beneficiary status, and if eKYC shows "No", tap eKYC. Enter Aadhaar, give consent and scan your face. The eKYC status updates after about 24 hours, so check again the next day.
Is the PM Kisan mobile app official?
Yes, there is an official PM-KISAN mobile app. It was first launched in 2020, and its face authentication eKYC version was launched on 22 June 2023, developed by NIC. Many other apps use the PM Kisan name but are not government apps. Install only from Google Play, never from a link or APK file shared on WhatsApp.
Why is Aadhaar Face RD app needed for PM Kisan?
The official eKYC note tells farmers to install Aadhaar Face RD along with the PM-KISAN app. It is the companion app that captures your face and matches it with Aadhaar during face authentication eKYC. Without it, the face scan step cannot run. If the scan fails, update Aadhaar Face RD and try again in good light.
Can I do eKYC for my parents with my phone?
Yes. PIB says a farmer can do face authentication eKYC for up to 100 neighbouring farmers through the app, so you can also help your parents. Each person must be present in front of the camera, because the face being scanned must match their own Aadhaar. Use their own Aadhaar number for each eKYC.
Can I check PM Kisan status in the app?
Yes. The app shows Know Your Status along with land seeding, Aadhaar bank seeding and eKYC status. You log in with your PM Kisan registered mobile number. If any of the three items shows "No", the kist can be held back, so fix that item first. You can also check on the official portal using your registration number and OTP.
Which is the best kisan app for PM Kisan?
For PM Kisan itself, use only the official PM-KISAN app, developed by NIC for the Government of India. It handles face eKYC, status and self-registration. Avoid third-party kisan apps that ask for Aadhaar, bank details or money. For crop advice, weather and other official services, check the government apps listed in our apps and helplines directory.
Sources: NIC Informatics on the face authentication app launch · PIB backgrounder, 19 Nov 2025 · PIB backgrounder on the 23rd installment, 20 Jun 2026 · PIB press conference deck, 24 Feb 2020. Checked 16 October 2026. Portals and manuals change: confirm on the official site or with your district surveillance unit.