PM-KISAN eKYC: How to Complete It Online (OTP, Biometric & Face Auth)

Updated: 25 September 2026 · Last Verified: 25 September 2026 · By: Akshay Kumar, Editor

Quick Answer

PM-KISAN eKYC is mandatory for every registered farmer — without it, your instalment payments get held back even if you’re otherwise eligible. There are three official ways to complete it: OTP-based (2 minutes, online, free, needs an Aadhaar-linked mobile number), biometric (at a Common Service Centre, ₹15 fee), or face authentication (through the PM-KISAN mobile app, free). This guide walks through all three, straight from the official process document published by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Key Highlights

Last Verified: 23 September 2026

Why eKYC Is Mandatory

eKYC exists to make sure PM-KISAN money reaches the actual, intended farmer’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account, with no middlemen involved. If your eKYC isn’t done, your status check will show “Aadhaar validation pending” or similar, and your instalment will be withheld until it’s completed — see our PM-KISAN Status Check guide for what that message means in context.

Method 1: OTP-Based eKYC (Fastest, Online)

This is the quickest option if your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar.

1. Visit the official PM-KISAN portal, pmkisan.gov.in.
2. Click e-KYC in the top-right corner of the website.
3. Enter your Aadhaar number.
4. Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and submit.

If your mobile number isn’t linked to Aadhaar, this method won’t work — use biometric or face authentication instead.

Method 2: Biometric eKYC (At a CSC/SSK)

Available at over 4 lakh Common Service Centres and State Seva Kendras across the country, for farmers who prefer in-person verification or don’t have an Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

1. Locate your nearest CSC using the official locator: locator.csccloud.in.
2. Visit with your Aadhaar card and Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
3. The CSC/SSK operator will complete your biometric (fingerprint) authentication using Aadhaar-based verification.

A convenience fee of ₹15 applies for this mode.

Method 3: Face Authentication eKYC (Mobile App)

The most convenient option if you have a smartphone — no need to visit anywhere.

1. Download both the PM-KISAN mobile app and the Aadhaar Face RD app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the PM-KISAN app and log in using your PM-KISAN registered mobile number.
3. You’ll land on the beneficiary status page. If your eKYC status shows “No,” tap eKYC.
4. Enter your Aadhaar number and give consent to scan your face.
5. Once your face scan is successful, eKYC is completed instantly.

After You Complete eKYC

• Your eKYC status updates in your beneficiary status within 24 hours of completion, regardless of which mode you used.
• You can check your updated status through the Know Your Status module on the PM-KISAN portal, or via the Kisan-eMitra AI chatbot.
• If it still shows pending after 24 hours, re-check that the mode you used actually completed successfully (for OTP, confirm the OTP was accepted; for biometric, confirm with the CSC operator that it went through).

Official Source

• PM-KISAN Portal: pmkisan.gov.in
• CSC Locator: locator.csccloud.in
• Official eKYC process note (PDF), Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, published via pmkisan.gov.in

Important Notes

• eKYC is free through the OTP and face-authentication modes. Only the in-person biometric mode at a CSC has a fee, and it’s a fixed ₹15 — never pay more, and never pay anyone who contacts you first claiming to “complete your eKYC” for a larger fee.
• Your mobile number must be linked to your Aadhaar for OTP-based eKYC to work at all — if it isn’t, update it with your bank/Aadhaar first, or use biometric/face authentication instead.
• Completing eKYC through any one mode is enough — you don’t need to repeat it through multiple methods.

Related Schemes

• PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi — full scheme overview, eligibility and how to apply
• PM-KISAN Status Check Guide — what “Aadhaar validation pending” and other status messages mean
• Farmer Schemes — browse all farmer-related scheme articles on JanAvsara

FAQs

Is PM-KISAN eKYC really mandatory?

Yes. The official PM-KISAN portal states eKYC is mandatory for all registered farmers. Without it, instalment payments are withheld even if you’re otherwise eligible.

Which eKYC method is fastest?

OTP-based eKYC is the fastest, taking about 2 minutes, provided your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar. Face authentication through the mobile app is similarly quick and doesn’t require visiting anywhere.

Does PM-KISAN eKYC cost money?

OTP-based and face-authentication eKYC are both free. Only the in-person biometric mode at a Common Service Centre has a fixed ₹15 convenience fee.

How long does it take for eKYC status to update after I complete it?

Up to 24 hours. Check your updated status via Know Your Status on the PM-KISAN portal after that window.

What if my mobile number isn’t linked to my Aadhaar?

OTP-based eKYC won’t work without an Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Use the biometric mode at your nearest CSC instead, or link your mobile to your Aadhaar first through UIDAI’s official channels.