The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme is a flagship initiative by the Government of India designed to provide farmers with easy access to affordable agricultural credit. Through this scheme, farmers can secure short-term loans to cover cultivation needs (such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery) and allied agricultural activities (like animal husbandry and fisheries) without facing financial strain.
Kisan Credit Card 2026 – Apply Online, Eligibility, Interest Rate & Full Guide
Launched in 1998 by NABARD, the KCC scheme is currently overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Recently, the government introduced several farmer-friendly modifications. Most notably, the limit for collateral-free (guarantor-free) loans has been increased to ₹2 Lakh.
Furthermore, the government heavily subsidizes the interest rate. While the standard short-term agricultural loan rate is 7%, farmers who repay their loans on time receive an additional 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI). This brings the effective interest rate down to just 4% per annum, shielding farmers from the exorbitant interest rates charged by informal moneylenders.
Key Information
| Information | Details |
| Scheme Name | Kisan Credit Card (KCC) |
| Governing Body | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare / NABARD |
| Target Beneficiaries | Land-owning farmers, tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and livestock/fish farmers |
| Collateral-Free Limit | Up to ₹2,00,000 |
| Maximum Loan Limit | Up to ₹5,00,000 (Subject to bank approval and landholding) |
| Effective Interest Rate | 4% per annum (upon timely repayment) |
| Card Validity | 5 Years (Limit is reviewed and enhanced annually) |
| Official Application Portals | JanSamarth Portal / PM-Kisan Portal |
Important Services
| Service | Purpose | Official Link |
| KCC Online Application | Apply digitally for a new agricultural loan | JanSamarth KCC |
| KCC Form Download | Get the physical one-page KCC application form | PM-Kisan Portal |
Eligibility Criteria
To successfully apply for a Kisan Credit Card, applicants must meet the following conditions:
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
| Age Limit | The applicant must be between 18 and 75 years old. (Applicants over 60 years require a legal heir as a co-borrower). |
| Citizenship | Must be an Indian citizen. |
| Farmer Category | Individual farmers, joint borrowers, tenant farmers, oral lessees, and sharecroppers are all eligible. |
| Allied Activities | Farmers engaged in Animal Husbandry (Dairy/Poultry) and Fisheries can now apply for specialized KCCs. |
| SHGs / JLGs | Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) of farmers are eligible for collective credit. |
Documents Required
Before starting your application, ensure you have clear copies of the following mandatory documents:
| Document | Required / Optional | Purpose/Notes |
| Aadhaar Card | Required | For identity verification and e-KYC. |
| PAN Card | Required | For financial verification and bank processing. |
| Land Records | Required | Khasra, Khatauni, or updated land ownership documents. |
| Crop Details | Required | Details of the crops sown or intended to be sown. |
| Photograph | Required | Recent passport-size photograph. |
| Bank Account Details | Required | Active bank passbook copy (Aadhaar must be linked via NPCI). |
Application Fee & Processing Time
| Application Category | Application Fee | Estimated Processing Time |
| For KCC limit up to ₹3 Lakh | ₹0 (Completely Waived) | 7 to 14 working days |
| For KCC limit above ₹3 Lakh | As per specific bank rules | 10 to 15 working days |
Note: The Government of India has mandated that banks waive all processing fees, inspection charges, and ledger folio charges for short-term KCC agricultural loans up to ₹3 Lakh.
Interest Rates & Loan Limits
The KCC scheme provides some of the cheapest institutional credit available in India.
| Loan Details | Interest Rate / Limit | Notes |
| Standard Agri-Loan Rate (Up to ₹3 Lakh) | 7% per annum | Base rate charged by the bank. |
| Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) | 3% Subvention | Granted if the loan is repaid within one year. |
| Effective Interest Rate | 4% per annum | 7% – 3% (PRI) = 4% |
| Collateral-Free Limit | Up to ₹2 Lakh | No mortgage or third-party guarantor required. |
Note: For loan limits exceeding ₹2 Lakh, the bank may require a third-party guarantor or land mortgage depending on their internal risk policies.
Apply / Access / Track / Download
| User Need | Official Link |
| Apply / Access | JanSamarth KCC Portal |
| Track Application | JanSamarth Track Application |
| Download Document | Download KCC Form |
How to Apply Online for KCC (JanSamarth Portal)
The government has digitized the KCC application process through the unified JanSamarth Portal, eliminating the need for multiple bank visits. Follow these steps to apply online:
- Visit JanSamarth Portal: Go to the official website at jansamarth.in.
- Select KCC Scheme: On the homepage, navigate to the Agriculture Loan section, click on “Kisan Credit Card Scheme,” and select “Check Eligibility.”
- Registration: Register using your active mobile number and email ID. Verify via OTP to create your login.
- Fill in Details: Enter your personal information, precise agricultural land details, cropping pattern, and the required loan limit.
- Upload Documents: Upload clear, scanned copies of your Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, and Land Records.
- Select a Bank: The system will display eligible banks and loan offers based on your Pin Code. Choose the bank that is most convenient for you.
- Submit Application: Submit the digital form. You will receive a Reference Number—keep this safe for tracking.
- Bank Verification: Within 7 to 14 days, a bank official will conduct online or physical field verification of your documents and land. Upon successful verification, your KCC will be sanctioned.
How to Apply Offline (At a Bank Branch)
If you prefer not to use the online portal, you can follow the traditional offline method:
- Visit your nearest bank branch (SBI, PNB, BOB, HDFC, or any Cooperative/Regional Rural Bank).
- Ask for the “Kisan Credit Card Application Form” (You can also download this one-page form from the PM-Kisan portal beforehand).
- Fill out the form accurately and attach photocopies of your Aadhaar, PAN, and land records.
- Submit the complete file to the Branch Manager. The bank will issue the KCC after checking your CIBIL score and verifying land records.
Application Process for CSC VLEs
Common Service Centre (CSC) operators (VLEs) can securely process KCC applications for farmers. This is especially fast for existing PM-Kisan beneficiaries, as their demographic data is already government-verified.
- Digital Seva Portal Login: Log in to digitalseva.csc.gov.in using your 12-digit CSC ID and password.
- Search for KCC: Use the search bar to find “Kisan Credit Card” or “KCC Apply.”
- PM-Kisan Authentication: Enter the farmer’s Aadhaar number and authenticate them via biometric e-KYC or Aadhaar OTP.
- Form Filling: The system will automatically fetch the farmer’s basic details from the PM-Kisan database. The VLE only needs to input the crop details, preferred bank branch, and requested loan limit.
- Submit & Print: Submit the form, generate the acknowledgment receipt, and hand the printout to the farmer. The farmer can take this receipt to the designated bank branch for final processing.
How to Track KCC Application Status
- Visit the JanSamarth Portal and log in with your registered mobile number.
- Navigate to your dashboard, where you can see the real-time status of your application (e.g., Pending, Under Review, Approved, or Rejected).
- If applied via a CSC center, the VLE can track the application through the “Order History” or status tab on the Digital Seva Portal.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Application Rejected Due to Name Mismatch: If the name on your Aadhaar card does not exactly match the name on your land records (Khasra/Khatauni), banks will likely reject the application. You must update your land records at the local revenue department first.
- PM-Kisan Data Not Found (For CSCs): If a VLE sees a “Record Not Found” error, verify that the farmer is actively receiving PM-Kisan installments and has completed their mandatory PM-Kisan e-KYC.
- No Banks Showing on JanSamarth: Ensure the Pin Code entered is correct. If rural cooperative banks in your area are not yet onboarded to JanSamarth, you may need to apply offline at the branch.
- Low Loan Limit Sanctioned: The KCC limit is calculated strictly based on your land holding size and the type of crops grown (Scale of Finance). Cash crops generally yield higher loan limits than traditional grains.
Services for VLEs / CSC Operators
Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) can securely process KCC applications for existing PM-Kisan beneficiaries directly from their centers.
- Operator login: Access the system via the Digital Seva Portal.
- Service access: Search for “KCC” in the dashboard and select “Apply New KCC”.
- Application processing: VLEs verify the farmer’s Aadhaar, enter existing loan details, input land records, and add cropping patterns to submit the KCC request.
Help & Grievance
- Technical Support (JanSamarth): Email
Customer.support@jansamarth.in - General Helpdesk: Contact the specific bank where the application was submitted, or use the centralized Helpdesk on the PM-Kisan Portal.
Other Important Links:
Important Note
- Service-specific eligibility: Beneficiaries enjoy an interest subvention of 2% and a prompt repayment incentive of 3% on loans up to ₹3 Lakhs.
- Collateral-Free Limit: KCC loans up to ₹1.6 Lakhs generally do not require any collateral security.
- Registration Advantage: Active PM-Kisan beneficiaries have streamlined processing, as their basic demographic and land details are already verified by the government.