Soil Health Card Scheme — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | Soil Health Card Scheme India 2026 — Free Soil Testing & Fertiliser Recommendations for Farmers | soilhealth.dac.gov.in |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2015 |
| Benefit | Free soil testing every 3 years | 12-parameter nutrient analysis | Crop-specific fertiliser recommendations | Saves 10-15% fertiliser cost | Improves crop yield 5-6% |
| Category | Agriculture |
| Last Verified | 2 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in |
What is Soil Health Card Scheme?
Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme is India's flagship soil testing initiative launched by PM Modi in February 2015. Under the scheme, every farmer's agricultural land is tested for 12 soil health parameters including major nutrients (N, P, K), secondary nutrients (S, Ca, Mg), and micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B, Mo) every 3 years. Based on test results, a Soil Health Card is issued — a printed/digital report showing soil nutrient status and crop-specific fertiliser recommendations (how much urea, DAP, potash to use). The scheme has issued over 23 crore soil health cards to date, saving farmers money on excess fertiliser use while improving crop yields by 5-6%. Under Budget 2025-26, the scheme is being expanded with digital soil map creation.
Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive Free soil testing every 3 years | 12-parameter nutrient analysis | Crop-specific fertiliser recommendations | Saves 10-15% fertiliser cost | Improves crop yield 5-6%. The scheme was launched in 2015 and is implemented by the Government of India.
Soil Health Card Scheme — हर किसान की जमीन का free soil testing हर 3 साल। 12 parameters — N, P, K, micro-nutrients। Card पर crop-specific fertiliser recommendation। 23 crore cards issued। soilhealth.dac.gov.in
Free soil testing — 12 parameters — crop-wise fertiliser recommendation — fertiliser cost 10-15% बचाएं — 23 crore cards issued
Benefits of Soil Health Card Scheme
Free soil testing every 3 years | 12-parameter nutrient analysis | Crop-specific fertiliser recommendations | Saves 10-15% fertiliser cost | Improves crop yield 5-6%
Who is Eligible for Soil Health Card Scheme?
- ✓Any farmer with agricultural land in India
- ✓Soil testing done every 3 years per grid (2.5 ha in irrigated, 10 ha in rainfed areas)
- ✓No application required from farmer — Block Agriculture Office collects soil samples
- ✓Farmer can also request soil testing voluntarily at Block Agriculture Office
- ✓Both kharif and rabi crop land covered
Advertisement
Documents Required for Soil Health Card Scheme
How to Apply for Soil Health Card Scheme Online?
- 1Visit the official portal at https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in
- 2Click on Apply Now or Register button on the homepage
- 3Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and verify OTP
- 4Fill in the online application form with required details
- 5Upload the required documents including Aadhaar and bank passbook
- 6Review all details and submit the application
- 7Note down the application reference number for future tracking
- 8Wait for verification and approval from the concerned authority
Official Government Portal
Apply directly on the official government website. This is the only authorised portal — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
🔗Apply on soilhealth.dac.gov.inFrequently Asked Questions — Soil Health Card Scheme
Common Questions About Agriculture Schemes
When is the next PM Kisan installment?+
PM Kisan instalments are released 3 times a year — April-July, August-November, and December-March. The exact date is announced by the government.
How to check PM Kisan status?+
Go to pmkisan.gov.in, click 'Beneficiary Status', enter your Aadhaar number or mobile number to check your payment status.
What crops are covered under PM Fasal Bima Yojana?+
Food crops (cereals, millets, pulses), oilseeds, and annual commercial/horticultural crops that are notified by respective state governments.
What is the premium rate for PMFBY?+
Kharif crops: 2% of sum insured; Rabi crops: 1.5%; annual commercial/horticultural crops: 5%. The rest of the premium is borne by the government.
What is the interest rate on Kisan Credit Card?+
The base interest rate is 9% p.a. The government provides a 2% interest subvention, bringing it to 7%. If you repay on time, an additional 3% prompt repayment incentive applies — making the effective rate just 4% per annum for loans up to Rs.3 lakh.
Advertisement
Related Agriculture Schemes
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 2025
PM-KISAN provides ₹6,000 per year direct income support to all land-holding farmer families across India in three equal instalments of ₹2,000.
PM Fasal Bima Yojana — Crop Insurance Scheme 2025
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides comprehensive financial support to farmers who suffer crop loss due to natural calamities, pests, or diseases at very low premium rates.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme 2025
Kisan Credit Card provides farmers with flexible and affordable short-term credit for cultivation expenses, post-harvest needs, and allied activities at interest rates as low as 4% per annum.
PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana 2026 — ₹3,000/Month Pension for Farmers | maandhan.in
PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for small and marginal farmers launched in 2019. Farmers aged 18–40 contribute a small monthly amount (₹55–₹200 depending on entry age) and receive a guaranteed pension of ₹3,000/month after reaching 60 years of age. The Government of India contributes an equal matching amount to the Pension Fund.