PM Kisan credit card: How to apply and check status?

The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme is a scheme offered by the government to provide farmers with quick and easy access to short-term formal credit. Launched by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in 1998, the scheme has now been linked to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, also referred to as PM Kisan Yojana. The KCC scheme ensures that the credit requirements of farmers are being met, allowing them to easily purchase necessary equipment and cover other expenses.

See also: What is Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin scheme?

PM Kisan credit card: Purpose

Borrowing money from unorganised sectors typically comes with the burden of massive interest rates. The PM Kisan credit card scheme was launched to protect farmers from this unnecessary financial pressure by allowing them to avail of short-term loans at reasonable interest rates. The primary objectives of PM Kisan credit cards are to:

• Help farmers meet their short-term credit needs for the cultivation of crops and post-harvest expenses.
• Cater to their household consumption requirements.
• Provide them with working capital for the maintenance of farm assets.

PM Kisan credit card: Benefits

Here is a list of some of the major features and advantages of the PM Kisan credit card.

• PM kisan credit card is available for farmers in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries sectors.

• Those eligible for the PM kisan credit card can avail of a loan of up to Rs 3 lakh or more.

• The credits disbursement process is extremely quick and hassle-free.

• Loan repayment is flexible and can be done after the harvest process.

• Farmers can avail of assistance as well as discounts when purchasing seeds, fertilisers, and more.

• The loan amount of less than Rs 1.60 lakh allows for collateral-free borrowing.

• Interest rates on loans are around the average of just 7% per annum.

• In case of prompt repayments, farmers are given discounts on interest.

• The credit cards come with an insurance coverage of up to Rs 50,000 against death or permanent disability and Rs 25,000 against other risks.

• A PM Kisan credit card can also be used to take care of post-harvest expenses.

List of banks offering PM Kisan credit cards

Following banks are offering PM Kisan credit cards. You can choose any one from the list to get yours.

• Axis Bank: It offers a loan amount of up to Rs 2.5 lakh.

• State Bank of India (SBI): The loan amount offered by the bank depends on the cropping and crop cultivation pattern.

• HDFC Bank: It offers a credit limit of up to 3 lakh.

• Bank of India (BOI): The bank offers a loan amount of up to 25% of the applicant’s estimated income or Rs 50,000, whichever is lower.

• Central Bank of India: It offers a loan amount of up to Rs 3 lakh.

PM Kisan credit card: Interest rate and other charges

The interest rate of PM Kisan credit cards, along with their credit limit, can differ from bank to bank. The interest rates can be as low as 2%-4%. In addition, there are certain schemes and subsidies offered to the farmers by the Indian government with regard to interest rates. These, however, depend entirely on the repayment and credit history of individual cardholders. Other charges include processing fees, land mortgage deed charges, insurance premiums (if applicable), etc. All of these charges will be set by the issuing bank.

PM Kisan credit card: Eligibility

To apply for a PM Kisan credit card, the eligibility criteria is as follows:

• An individual farmer must be an owner-cultivator.
• Those belonging to a group are called joint borrowers. In such cases, the group has to be owner-cultivators.
• Tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and an oral lessee are also eligible for a PM Kisan credit card.
• Joint liability groups (JLG) or self-help groups (SHG) of farmers, sharecroppers, tenant farmers, etc. are eligible.
• Farmers involved in crop production or other allied activities, like fishery and animal husbandry, are also eligible.

Eligible beneficiaries under animal husbandry and fisheries include:

• Inland fisheries and aquaculture: Fishers, fish farmers, JLGs, SHGs, and women groups. To be eligible, you must lease or own any activity related to fisheries such as a pond, a tank, a hatchery, or an open water body.

• Marine fisheries: To be an eligible beneficiary, you must own a registered boat or another kind of fishing vessel and must have the required permission and licence for fishing.

• Poultry: Individual farmers, joint borrowers, JLGs, tenant farmers, or SHGs of sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, poultry, birds who have sheds they have rented, leased, or owned.

• Dairy: Dairy farmers, farmers, JLGs, tenant farmers, and SHGs who lease, rent, or own sheds.

PM Kisan credit card: Documents required to apply

Following documents are required to apply for a PM Kisan credit card:

• Duly filled and signed application form
• Copy of ID proofs like PAN card, Aadhaar card, driving licence, voter ID, etc.
• Copy of address proof like PAN card, Aadhaar card, driving licence, Voter ID, etc. These documents will only be valid if they contain the applicant’s current address.
• Land documents
• Passport size photos
• Other documents like security PDC as required by the issuing bank

PM Kisan credit card: Application process

You can apply for a PM Kisan credit card both online and offline. Here is all you need to know about applying for PM Kisan credit cards.

PM Kisan credit card: How to apply online?

To apply for a PM Kisan credit card online, follow these steps:

• Choose the bank from which you wish to get the PM Kisan credit card.
• Visit the website of your chosen bank.
• Choose the Kisan credit card option from the options listed.
• Click on the ‘Apply’ option and carefully fill in all the required information on the application page.
• Once done, double check your information before clicking on ‘Submit’.
• You’ll be provided an application reference number. Note it down for future reference.

That’s all you have to do. If you are eligible for a PM Kisan credit card, the bank will get back to you within 3-4 working days and instruct you on how to proceed further.

PM Kisan credit card: How to apply offline?

You can also choose to apply for a PM Kisan credit card offline. To do this, choose a bank you wish to get the credit card from and visit the nearest branch of your chosen bank. There, you can consult with a bank representative to get an application form and fill it carefully. Once you have completed the necessary paperwork and formalities, the bank will process your application and the loan officer will get in touch with you if you are eligible.

How to check your PM Kisan credit card status?

If you;ve already applied for a PM Kisan credit card, you can easily check its status by following the steps given below:

• Visit the online portal of PM KCC

• Click on the ‘View Status KCC’ option on the top.
• You’ll be redirected to a new window. Here, you’ll have to login using your CSC ID and password.

• Once you’ve logged in, click on ‘View Status’ to check the status of your credit card.

How to check PM Kisan credit card balance?

To check the balance of your PM Kisan credit card, you can contact the issuing bank’s customer care. You can also visit the bank’s online portal to check your credit card’s balance online. Additionally, you can visit the nearest branch of the issuing bank where a bank representative will be able to help you.

PM Kisan credit card: Customer care

In case of any grievances, concerns or queries, applicants and cardholders can contact the KCC customer care at any time. You can call the toll-free numbers 1800115526 or 011-24300606. You can also choose to email your query to  pmkisan-ict@gov.in

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