The Reserve Bank of India has released revised draft guidelines for the Kisan Credit Card scheme, widening the scope of eligible farm loans to include expenses related to agri-tech initiatives. The proposed changes allow farmers to use KCC funds for activities such as soil testing, weather forecasting services and organic certification, reflecting the growing role of technology and sustainability in agriculture.

Under the draft norms, agricultural and allied loans of up to ₹2 lakh per borrower would not require collateral or margin, providing relief especially to small and marginal farmers. The RBI has also aligned KCC drawing limits with the crop-wise scale of finance to bring greater uniformity and clarity in lending practices.

For marginal farmers owning up to one hectare of land, the central bank has proposed a flexible credit limit ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000, aimed at ensuring easier access to working capital for small-scale cultivation and allied activities.

The draft guidelines further standardise crop tenures, fixing 12 months for short-duration crops and 18 months for long-duration crops. In addition, the validity of the Kisan Credit Card has been extended to six years, offering borrowers longer-term stability.

The RBI has invited public comments and feedback on the draft norms until March 6, 2026.