Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Limit, Interest Rate, Documents and How to Apply
How the farm credit card works, the 7% and effective 4% rates, who can apply including tenant farmers and fishers, and where to apply.
01What a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Is
The Kisan Credit Card gives farmers a revolving line of short-term credit for crop cultivation and related needs, so that cash is available at sowing without taking a fresh loan each season. Banks issue it — commercial banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks — under the framework of the RBI and NABARD. About 7.7 crore KCCs were reported active in 2026.
02Who Can Apply
- Farmers who own and cultivate land, alone or jointly
- Tenant farmers, oral lessees and sharecroppers
- Self-help groups and joint liability groups of farmers
- Fishers and fish farmers, and animal husbandry and dairy farmers, for working capital needs
03Limit and Interest Rate
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Interest on short-term loans up to ₹3 lakh | 7% a year |
| Prompt repayment incentive | Up to 3%, bringing the effective rate to 4% |
| Animal husbandry and fisheries | Interest support up to ₹2 lakh, per the Cabinet decision of May 2025 |
| Collateral-free loans | Up to ₹2 lakh per borrower, since 1 January 2025 |
| After a natural calamity | Interest waiver for up to one year, extendable in severe disasters |
04Documents Typically Asked For
- Aadhaar and PAN or another ID
- Land records, or a tenancy or lease document for tenant farmers
- Passport-size photograph
- The bank’s application form and, where asked, a no-dues declaration
05How to Apply
- At a branch: visit any bank, regional rural bank or cooperative bank that lends to farmers and ask for the KCC form.
- Online: government releases name the Jan Samarth portal, NABARD’s e-KCC portal for regional rural and cooperative banks, and bank apps. Availability depends on the bank and state.
- The bank checks land and credit details and fixes the limit.
- The card and passbook are issued. Withdrawals can be made as needed within the sanctioned limit.
PM-KISAN beneficiaries have been offered a simpler KCC application in earlier drives. No fresh 2026 drive could be confirmed.
06Repayment and the 4% Rate
- The 4% effective rate applies to farmers who repay on or before the due date. A late repayment loses the 3% incentive.
- The due date is linked to the crop cycle and is fixed by the bank when the limit is sanctioned.
- The credit line is reviewed periodically and renewed on good repayment. Guides mention validity of up to five years.
07Official Links
08Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tenant farmer get a KCC?
Yes. Tenant farmers, oral lessees and sharecroppers are eligible. The bank may ask for a lease document or a certificate from the local authority.
Is KCC only for crops?
No. Fishers, fish farmers and animal husbandry and dairy farmers can get a card for working capital. The loan can be used for crop expenses, but there are separate limits for allied activities.
How much interest does a farmer pay?
The rate is 7% on loans up to ₹3 lakh, and an effective 4% when repayment is on time, according to the government notices.
Is any collateral needed?
Not up to ₹2 lakh per borrower for agricultural and allied loans. Larger limits can need security.
This page is updated periodically. Benefit amounts, limits, dates and portal menus change; for the most current and binding information, always refer to the official portal or the implementing office.