How to Apply for Soil Health Card — Free Soil Testing for Farmers

Are you a farmer in India? Do you want to know what nutrients your soil has and what fertilizer you should use? The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme gives you free soil testing and tells you exactly what your land needs.

This guide explains everything — what is Soil Health Card, how to apply, how to check status, and how to download your card.

What Is the Soil Health Card Scheme?

The Soil Health Card Scheme was launched by the Government of India in February 2015. It is run by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Under this scheme:

• Government collects a sample of your soil
• The soil is tested in a laboratory for free
• You get a Soil Health Card with full report
• The card tells you what nutrients your soil has and what is missing
• It gives crop-wise fertilizer recommendations — how much urea, DAP, potash, etc. to use

Simple idea: Know your soil, use the right fertilizer, grow more crops, save money.

Benefits of Soil Health Card

• ✅ Completely free — no cost for soil testing
• ✅ Crop-specific advice — tells you which fertilizer to use for wheat, rice, sugarcane, etc.
• ✅ Saves money — you stop wasting money on extra fertilizer
• ✅ Better yield — right nutrients = healthier crops = more production
• ✅ Protects soil — stops over-use of chemicals that damage land
• ✅ Government-backed — tested in approved labs only
• ✅ Available in local languages — easy to understand

What Does the Soil Health Card Contain?

Your Soil Health Card shows the following details about your soil:

The card also gives a rating — Low, Medium, or High — for each nutrient, and recommends how much fertilizer you should use for your main crops.

Who Can Apply?

Any farmer in India can apply for a Soil Health Card. There is:

• No income limit
• No land size limit — small, marginal, and big farmers all eligible
• No cost — it is 100% free

You just need to be a farmer with agricultural land.

How to Apply for Soil Health Card — Online

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to: https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in

Step 2: Register as a Farmer

1. Click on "Register" or "Farmer Registration"
2. Select your State and District
3. Enter your details:
   • Full Name
   • Father's Name
   • Village / Town
   • Mobile Number
   • Aadhaar Number (if available)
   • Land details (Survey Number, Khata Number)
4. Create a username and password
5. Click Submit

Step 3: Login and Request Soil Testing

1. Login with your username and password
2. Go to "Sample Registration" or "Request Soil Test"
3. Enter your land details — survey number, area, crop you want to grow
4. Submit the request

Step 4: Soil Sample Collection

• A government agriculture officer or trained worker will come to collect soil from your field
• They take soil from 15 cm depth at multiple spots
• The sample is sent to a Soil Testing Laboratory

Step 5: Get Your Soil Health Card

• After testing (usually 2-4 weeks), your card is ready
• You can view and download it from the portal
• In many states, the card is also delivered to your village

How to Apply Offline

If you are not comfortable with online, you can apply at:

1. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) — present in every district
2. District Agriculture Office — Block or Taluka level office
3. Common Service Centre (CSC) — your nearest Jan Seva Kendra
4. Gram Panchayat — some states collect requests at panchayat level

What to Carry:

• Aadhaar Card or Voter ID
• Land ownership documents (Patta, Khata, Khasra number)
• Mobile number

The agriculture officer will register your request and arrange soil collection.

How to Check Soil Health Card Status

1. Go to https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in
2. Click on "Track Your Sample" or "Farmer Corner"
3. Enter your State, District, and Registration details
4. You can see if your soil sample has been:
   • Collected
   • Sent to lab
   • Testing done
   • Card generated

How to Download / Print Your Soil Health Card

1. Visit https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in
2. Click "Print Soil Health Card"
3. Select your State → District → Sub-District → Village
4. Select your name from the farmer list
5. Click "View" to see your card
6. Click "Print" or "Download as PDF"

You can also ask at your local agriculture office to get a printed copy.

Soil Testing Cycle — How Often?

• Your soil is tested once every 3 years (one cycle = 3 years)
• The government started Cycle 1 in 2015 and Cycle 2 in 2017
• Testing continues in cycles — you will get updated cards regularly
• If your soil report is older than 3 years, you can request fresh testing

State-Specific Soil Health Portals

Some states have their own portals for soil health services:

Tip: Even if your state has a portal, the central portal at soilhealth.dac.gov.in works for all states.

Important Tips for Farmers

• 📌 Follow the recommendations on your card — don't use more fertilizer than suggested
• 📌 Keep your card safe — refer to it before every sowing season
• 📌 Share with neighbours — nearby fields often have similar soil
• 📌 Compare over years — see if your soil health is improving
• 📌 Use organic matter — if organic carbon is low, add compost or green manure

Related Government Schemes for Farmers

If you have a Soil Health Card, also check these useful schemes:

• 🌾 PM Kisan Samman Nidhi — Get ₹6,000 per year directly in your bank account
• 💳 Kisan Credit Card — Get low-interest loans for farming needs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Soil Health Card really free?

Yes. The government pays for soil testing. There is no charge for farmers.

How long does it take to get the card?

Usually 2 to 4 weeks after soil sample collection. Sometimes longer in busy seasons.

Can I apply if I don't have Aadhaar?

Yes, you can use Voter ID or other land documents. Aadhaar is preferred but not always mandatory.

What if my village is not listed on the portal?

Visit your nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra or District Agriculture Office for help.

Can tenant farmers apply?

In most states, yes. You may need a letter from the land owner or local authority.

My card shows Low nitrogen. What should I do?

Use the recommended dose of urea shown on your card. Also add organic compost and consider growing legume crops (moong, urad) which add nitrogen naturally.

Summary

Remember: Healthy soil = healthy crops = healthy income. Get your Soil Health Card today!