Soil Health Card (Soil Health & Fertility)
Funded in the 2026-27 Union Budget: Output Outcome Monitoring Framework 2026-27 (Union Budget) (undated, 4. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (CSS), financial outlay 2026-27 ₹8,550 crore; component e. Soil Health and Fertility Scheme (SH&F), output 1.1 Number of Soil health card issued/generated during the FY (in Lakh), target 2026-27: 50)
Your field’s soil is sampled and tested, and you get a Soil Health Card with fertiliser advice. Rural youth and groups can also get help to set up a village soil testing lab.
- Lead benefit
- FreeSoil sample collected and tested (pH, EC, organic carbon, N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B) and a Soil Health Card issued within 25 days of sampling — 30 days in hilly and North-Eastern states.
- Components
- 6each read from the document
- Who can apply
- 9kinds of applicant
- Closing date
- Noneapply any time
What it pays
Your soil is tested and you receive a Soil Health Card with fertiliser advice.
What the document says, word for word
The ₹300 a sample is paid by the scheme to the state, not to you. The guideline does not use the word “free”: where a state runs soil labs through private partners, the state’s own rules set any testing charge to farmers (B.4.3(V)).
“Soil sample collection, analysis and generation of Soil Health Card on SHC Portal farmers will be done for which the financial assistance @ Rs.300 per sample will be given to the states/UTs.”Up to ₹1.50 lakh, one time, to set up a village level soil testing lab.
What the document says, word for word
The guideline says no beneficiary contribution is required for the lab equipment. An individual must be 18 to 27 years old and 10th pass with science and computer knowledge; SHGs, FPOs and PACS can also apply (Annexure-XXXVII, para 5). The lab is paid ₹300 for each of 300 assigned samples, then ₹20 a card for the next 500 (para 4.3(X)). We show up to ₹1.50 lakh, never more than your lab’s cost.
“The Financial assistance @ Rs.1.50 lakh-total project cost will be provided to beneficiaries, which will be shared on 60:40 bases between GOI and states (90:10 in case of NE and Hilly States).”A one-hectare demonstration on your field of fertiliser use as your Soil Health Card advises, with all the fertiliser inputs supplied.
What the document says, word for word
Held only in the villages the state selects; the ₹5,000 is given to the state for the inputs, not paid to you in cash.
“Under demonstration, all the required fertilizer inputs i.e. fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, micro-nutrients, organic manure and soil amendments (Gypsum or Liming material) are to be provided for demonstration of soil test based balanced use of fertilizers i.e. Integrated Nutrients Management (INM) with financial assistance @ Rs.5000/- per demonstration of one hectare.”₹500 a hectare towards micronutrients (zinc, iron, manganese, boron…) your Soil Health Card recommends, in areas the state marks as deficient.
What the document says, word for word
Only in micronutrient-deficiency areas and as per your card. The guideline does not say whether the state pays this in cash or supplies the micronutrients, and prints no area limit per farmer.
“Therefore, promotion of use of micronutrients as per Soil Health Card recommendation in the deficiency areas @ Rs.500 per ha would be given.”Help to reclaim acidic, alkaline or saline soil — gypsum or lime, green manuring and bunding, or sub-surface drainage.
What the document says, word for word
Because the unit (per hectare or otherwise) is missing from the printed table, we do not calculate an amount. Ask your district agriculture or soil conservation office whether your state runs this sub-component.
“For Gypsum/ Lime application, Green manuring and Bunding in a. Acidic soils Rs.0.10 lakh b. Alkali soils Rs.0.20 lakh; For Saline Soils by sub surface drainage in a. Alluvial soils Rs.0.65 lakh b. Heavy textured soils Rs.1.25 lakh”₹20 a card for a village soil-testing lab owner for samples tested beyond the first 300 assigned, for the next 500.
What the document says, word for word
Annexure-XXXVII 4.3(X): each lab is assigned 300 samples at ₹300 a sample, then “for the next 500 soil samples” ₹20 a sample; after that the lab charges as per the state’s rate. Enter the number of extra samples tested.
“In order to encourage the entrepreneurs in the scheme for soil testing, the incentive @ Rs.20/- per Soil Health Card will be provided to entrepreneurs who have set up village level STLs and perform Soil sample collection and testing beyond 300 Samples.”How much can I claim?
Soil sample collected and tested (pH, EC, organic carbon, N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B) and a Soil Health Card issued within 25 days of sampling — 30 days in hilly and North-Eastern states.
The ₹300 a sample is paid by the scheme to the state, not to you. The guideline does not use the word “free”: where a state runs soil labs through private partners, the state’s own rules set any testing charge to farmers (B.4.3(V)).
Who can apply
- Other farmer
- Small or marginal farmer
- SC farmer
- ST farmer
- Woman farmer
- Agri entrepreneur
- Self-help group
- FPO
- Cooperative
Papers you need
- For the soil card: farmer and land details; where Agri Stack is running, your Farmer ID (B.4.3(I))
- For a village lab: qualification certificate, PAN card, Aadhaar card (Annexure-XXXVII, para 5(iii))
- For a village lab: your own premises, or a rented building with a lease of at least four years (Annexure-XXXVII, para 5(iv))
How to apply
- Ask your agriculture department or block office when soil samples will be collected in your village; samples are taken between harvest and the next sowing (B.4.3(I)).
- The sample is taken with a mobile app; you get an SMS when it is collected (B.4.3(I)).
- The card is generated on the Soil Health Card portal, within 25 days of sampling (30 days in hilly and North-Eastern states) (Annexure-XXXV).
- For a village soil testing lab: apply to the Deputy Director / District Agriculture Officer; the district committee recommends and the state committee approves (Annexure-XXXVII, para 4.3, 5).
Applying is free. Never pay anyone to apply for you.
When to apply
The guidelines set no closing date.
Combining with other schemes
The documents do not say whether this can be combined with other schemes. Ask the implementing office before you count on both.