The Government of India launched the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme in 1998 to financially assist farmers of the country, Also known as the PM Kisan Credit Card Yojana, this scheme was created by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to provide farmers with credit cards.
Farmers can use the credit cards to purchase seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, and more on short-term credit. The card can also be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, so farmers can manage avail loans to meet their agricultural expenses.
The rate of interest on Kisan Credit Card loans tends to vary from one issuing bank to another, with the average interest rates being around 7% per annum. The repayment period for the KCC card loan is also very flexible, as farmers can choose to start repaying once their produce is harvested.
To ensure that income support is available to all farmers, the Indian government announced in Budget 2020 that the erstwhile PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme and the Kisan Credit Card Scheme would be merged together. So, all farmers who are beneficiaries under the Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme are now eligible to apply for a Kisan Credit Card.
All commercial banks in India are eligible to issue the Kisan Credit Cards. Farmers can also get this facility at regional rural banks and cooperative banks. Check out some of the top banks in the country that offer the Kisan Credit Card, and the different features and charges associated with it.
Bank |
Features and Charges |
Axis Bank Kisan Credit Card |
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SBI Kisan Credit Card |
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Central Bank of India Kisan Credit Card (Central Kisan Credit Card) |
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Union Bank of India Kisan Credit Card (Union Green Card) |
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HDFC PM Kisan Credit Card |
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Indian Bank Kisan Credit Card (KCC) |
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Wondering what the Kisan credit card benefits are? Let’s take a look at a few of the features and advantages that you get to enjoy.
Kisan credit card scheme available to farmers in agriculture and other allied activities
Eligible amount of loan may go up to ₹3 Lakhs or more in some cases
Hassle-free and quick loan disbursement process
Flexible loan repayment that can be done after the harvest season
Access to discounts as well as assistance when purchasing fertilisers, seeds, and more
Collateral-free borrowing if the loan amount is within ₹1.60 Lakhs
Low interest rates on loans, with the average rate hovering around 7%
Discounts on interest rate for prompt repayments
Up to ₹50,000 insurance coverage against permanent disability or death
Insurance cover up to ₹25,000 for other risks
Kisan credit card available for meeting post-harvest expenses too
Before applying for a Kisan Credit Card, you need to be aware of the Kisan credit card eligibility criteria. It’s also important to know what documents need to be submitted when you apply for the card. Check out the eligibility criteria and the documents required for the Kisan Credit Card.
The following categories of farmers can apply for a Kisan Credit Card:
An individual farmer who is an owner cultivator
Joint borrowers who are owner cultivators
A tenant farmer
An Oral Lessee
A sharecropper
A Self-Help Group (SHG) or a Joint-Liability Group (JLG) of owner cultivator farmers, sharecroppers, tenant farmers etc.
Farmers involved in allied agricultural activities like animal husbandry, fisheries and the like
If you are eligible for the Kisan Credit Card, you need to submit the following documents as a part of the application process. Keep in mind that the list of documents may vary slightly from one bank to another.
A copy of your identity proof - PAN, Aadhaar, Passport, Driving Licence, or Voter’s ID
A copy of your address proof - Aadhaar, Passport, Voter’s ID, or Driving Licence
A duly-filled KCC scheme application form
A copy of the proof of landholding certified by the Revenue authorities
Two passport size photographs
Any other documents that the issuing bank may require, like the security post-date cheque (PDC)
The rate of interest and other charges like processing charges and inspection charges can vary from one issuing bank to another. To get a good idea of what the rates and charges are, make sure to read through the terms and conditions of the Kisan Credit Card scheme offered by the bank thoroughly.
Applying for the Kisan card is extremely easy. You can either choose to do it online or offline. Here’s a quick look at the process that you need to follow in both these cases.
Step 1: Visit the issuing bank’s website.
Step 2: Select ‘Kisan Credit Card’ from the list of credit card options on the website.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Apply’ button.
Step 4: Fill and submit the KCC application form along with the necessary documents.
That’s it. Your application will be processed and if found eligible, the card will be sent to your address within a few days.
Visit a branch of the issuing bank.
Get the PM Kisan credit card application form from the bank’s representative.
Fill the form and submit it along with all the necessary documentation.
Most issuing banks now allow you to check your Kisan credit card balance online. You can simply log into the issuing bank’s online portal and check your KCC balance. Alternatively, you can call your bank’s customer care and inquire about your Kisan credit card balance.
As per the Reserve Bank of India’s guidelines, there is no set KCC limit. In fact, lending institutions are free to sanction the amount they wish to, depending on their selection criteria. This may include taking into account the farmer’s monthly income, the cropped area and patterns, or both these aspects.
If you have any queries, grievances, or doubts regarding the Kisan credit card Yojana, you can always get in touch with the customer care to get them clarified.
If you wish to speak to Kisan credit card customer care, all that you need to do is call toll-free numbers - 155261 or 1800 115 526. Alternatively, you can also reach them by calling this number - 0120-6025109.
On the other hand, if you wish to register your KCC-related issues and grievances in writing, you can send an email to pmkisan-ict@gov.in
PM KCC Yojana is a Government of India initiative that aims to benefit farmers in agriculture, fisheries, and animal husbandry. It provides these farmers with short-term formal credit whenever they need it, using the funds available on the Kisan credit card. The interest rate against a KCC loan is low and the repayment process is flexible, which helps empower farmers.
If you have a Kisan Credit Card, you can visit the online website of your issuing bank and apply for the PM Kisan loan online. You need to fill in the KCC loan form with your Kisan credit card details and the amount you wish to borrow. Once the loan is processed, you would be able to see the PM KCC loan details on your online dashboard.
The PM Kisan Credit Card scheme can be availed by an individual farmer or a group of farmers who are both owners and cultivators of the land. Farmers involved in allied activities too can avail the scheme. Even sharecroppers and tenant farmers are eligible for availing a PM Kisan credit card loan.
The Kisan card can be used to meet different needs like the short-term cash credit and capital requirements of farmers, post-harvest expenses, marketing expenses of produce, working capital requirements and consumption requirements of farmer households.
All scheduled commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and state co-operative banks are eligible to issue a Kisan Credit Card.
Yes. All Kisan Credit Cards offer cash withdrawal and cash advance facilities. All that you need to do is visit an ATM and use the card to withdraw cash. That said, keep in mind that you will be levied interest on such cash advances.
Different categories of individuals are eligible to apply for the PM Kisan Credit Card Yojana. They include individual borrowers who are owner cultivators, joint borrowers who are owner cultivators, tenant farmers, oral lessees, sharecroppers, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) or Joint-Liability Groups (JLGs) of farmers.
According to RBI regulations, banks are free to offer collateral-free loans up to ₹1 Lakh in the case of non-tie-up applicants, and up to ₹3 Lakhs in the case of tie-up applicants. For loans exceeding these amounts specified above, banks are free to insist on a collateral.
The validity period is for five years under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme. The kind of activity you intend to perform with the money will determine the length of tenure you receive for your Kisan Card.
Yes, the different kinds of loans under the Kisan Credit Card scheme each carry their own interest rate. The rate of interest varies from one issuing/lending bank to another.