Central
₹6,000/year
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana
Direct income support of ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmer families.
Central Government Scheme
· Active · India
Soil Health Card
Scheme (SHC)
The Soil Health Card scheme gives every farmer a free report on their soil's nutrient status across 12 parameters, along with specific fertilizer and soil amendment recommendations, renewed every 2 years to help optimise yields and cut input costs. Apply now in India with expert guidance from Varahii Consultancy.
Cost: Free for farmers (60% centrally funded)
Parameters Tested: 12 (macronutrients, micronutrients, physical properties)
Validity: 2 years, then re-tested
Typical Cost Savings: 20-30% reduction in fertilizer costs
Status: Active
City: India
14 Cr+
Farmers Covered
2 Cr+
Hectares Tested Annually
12
Soil Parameters Tested
20-30 %
Fertilizer Cost Savings
What is Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC)?
The Soil Health Card scheme gives every farmer a free report on their soil's nutrient status across 12 parameters, along with specific fertilizer and soil amendment recommendations, renewed every 2 years to help optimise yields and cut input costs.
Approval for Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) in India often depends on matching the right scheme variant to your exact profile. Our advisors in India compare every applicable option before recommending one.
Objective: To provide farmers with scientific soil nutrient information so they can apply fertilizers judiciously, improve crop yields, and reduce farming costs sustainably.
Who is this for in India?
Small, marginal, and large landholding farmers
Tenant farmers and sharecroppers
Any farmer with cultivable land, regardless of landholding size
Eligibility Criteria – India
To apply for Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) India, applicants must meet the following conditions:
Landholding: Any cultivable land, with no minimum size requirement
Farmer Type: Open to owner-cultivators, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers
Documentation: Aadhaar card and land records (khata-khatouni); PM-KISAN ID can speed up the process if already registered
Not Eligible: Non-farmers or those without any cultivable land, Non-agricultural land parcels
Who is NOT Eligible
Non-farmers or those without any cultivable land
Non-agricultural land parcels
Benefits for India Applicants
Eligible applicants India can receive the following benefits under Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC):
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Soil Testing | 12-parameter soil analysis covering macronutrients (N, P, K), secondary nutrient (Sulphur), micronutrients (Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Boron), and physical properties (pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon) |
| Fertilizer Recommendations | Crop-specific fertilizer and soil amendment advice based on actual soil deficiencies |
| Yield Improvement | Reported 10-15% yield improvement from optimized fertilizer use in many cases |
| Cost Savings | 20-30% reduction in fertilizer expenditure by avoiding over-application |
| Digital Access | Card available physically or digitally via the SHC portal and mobile app with QR code scanning, including GIS geo-tagging of sample locations |
Documents Required
Keep the following documents ready before applying India. Having them prepared speeds up approval significantly.
Aadhaar card
Land records (khata-khatouni)
PM-KISAN ID (optional, speeds up registration if already enrolled)
Pro tip: Register on Udyam Portal before applying. It strengthens your application and may unlock additional MSME benefits.
How to Apply in India
Follow these steps to apply for Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) India:
If you've struggled to get clarity on Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) eligibility in India, our consultants can walk you through the current criteria, required documents, and realistic approval timelines based on recent applications we've handled.
1
Register your interest
Contact your local agriculture department office, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, or visit a Common Service Centre (CSC).
2
Sample collection
Trained officials or village-level entrepreneurs visit your field and collect soil samples from a depth of 15-20 cm using a zig-zag sampling method.
3
Lab testing
Samples are coded, transported, and tested at an authorised Soil Testing Laboratory for all 12 parameters.
4
Card generation
Results are entered into the National Soil Health Card Portal, generating a printed report with fertilizer recommendations.
5
Card delivery
Receive your card physically in your village, or access it digitally via soilhealth.dac.gov.in or the SHC mobile app.
6
Apply recommendations and retest
Use the recommended fertilizer doses, and schedule a retest every 2 years to track changes in soil health.
Online Portal: You can apply directly at https://www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in. Varahii's consultants can guide you through every step.
Coverage & Limits
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Parameters Tested | N, P, K (macronutrients); Sulphur (secondary nutrient); Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Boron (micronutrients); pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon (physical properties) |
| Validity Cycle | 2 years before a retest is recommended |
| Scheme Funding | 60% central government funding, balance from state governments |
Applying for Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) in India
Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) is available to entrepreneurs and individuals across India. Whether you are based in the urban core or surrounding areas of India, you can approach any participating bank, NBFC, or Microfinance Institution to begin your application.
Varahii Consultancy has helped hundreds of applicants India successfully complete their Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) applications — from document preparation to follow-up with the sanctioning authority.
Varahii in India: Our local advisors understand the specific requirements of India branches and can help you choose the right lender or government office for faster processing.
Industry & Entrepreneurship Landscape in India
India's small-business economy is shaped in large part by trading, agro-processing, and small-scale manufacturing, sectors that account for a significant share of local MSME and entrepreneurial activity. Udyam registrations have grown steadily as more entrepreneurs formalise their businesses to access government schemes, priority-sector loans, and tender eligibility.
Among individual entrepreneurs in India, current trends show a growing share of women-led and first-generation entrepreneurs registering new micro-enterprises. This shift is directly relevant to Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) applicants, since lenders and sanctioning authorities increasingly favour Udyam-registered, formally documented businesses when reviewing applications.
Banking & credit access in India: Applicants typically work with SBI, regional rural banks, and a network of cooperative banks when applying for government-linked schemes, alongside NBFCs and microfinance institutions for smaller ticket sizes.
Why Varahii Is Among the Best Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) Consultants in India
Choosing the right consultant for Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) in India can be the difference between a smooth approval and months of avoidable delay. Varahii Consultancy has built a reputation in India and across India for handling government scheme and MSME loan applications end-to-end — not just advising, but actively preparing documentation, tracking application status, and following up with the relevant department or bank until a decision is reached.
Specialised, up-to-date knowledge of Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) eligibility and documentation requirements in India
End-to-end application support — not just advice — from document prep to final follow-up
Familiarity with local banks, NBFCs, and government offices in India
Transparent process with no hidden fees and a free initial eligibility check
Varahii in India: If you're evaluating Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) options in India, our consultants can give you a realistic eligibility assessment before you commit any paperwork — most consultations start with a free review of your specific situation.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Scheme Launched | 19 February 2015, with the slogan 'Healthy Soil, Green Field' |
| Cumulative Progress | 14 crore+ farmers covered, 2 crore+ hectares tested annually as of 2024-25 |
Contact & Support
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Implementing Body | State Agriculture Departments and Soil Testing Laboratories |
| Portal | soilhealth.dac.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's free for farmers — the central government funds 60% of the scheme's cost, with state governments covering the rest.
Every 2 years, since soil nutrient status can change with continued cultivation and fertilizer use.
It reports your soil's status across 12 parameters and gives specific fertilizer and soil amendment recommendations tailored to your land and crop choice.
No, tenant farmers and sharecroppers are also eligible, not just landowners — there's no minimum landholding size requirement.
Visit soilhealth.dac.gov.in or use the SHC mobile app with QR code scanning to check your sample status and download your card.
Related topics: soil testing fertilizer recommendation sustainable farming agriculture SHC India
Ready to Apply for Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) in India?
Varahii's verified consultants handle everything — eligibility check, document preparation, application filing, and follow-up with India authorities. 100% free initial consultation.