10 Years of Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) and its Key Features

Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) is an initiative by the Indian government to promote sustainable farming by providing farmers with detailed soil nutrient reports. Learn how SHC helps improve crop productivity and soil fertility.

Table of Contents

Context: In February 2025 Soil Health Card Scheme completed 10 Years.

About Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC)

It was launched on 19th February 2015 at Suratgarh, Rajasthan, to assist State Governments to issue soil health cards to all farmers in the country.
Soil health card provides information to farmers on the nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosages of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and fertility.
SHC scheme has been merged into the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme as one of its components under the name ‘Soil Health & Fertility’ from the year 2022-23.

Key Features of the Soil Health Card (SHC)

It provides nutrient status of the soil and Fertilizer recommendations based on soil composition.

Parameters Covered (12 Key Indicators)

Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulfur (S).
Micronutrients: Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Boron (Bo).
Other Soil Properties: pH (Acidity or Basicity), EC (Electrical Conductivity), OC (Organic Carbon).

Sampling Frequency

Twice a year (post-harvest of Rabi & Kharif crops). Conducted when no standing crop is in the field.

Achievement of SHC

As of February 2025, the Government of India has generated 24.74 crore Soil Health Cards across the country.
The number of SHCs issued to farmers increased from 16 lakh (2020-21) to 53 lakh(2024-25).
Soil and Land Use Survey of India generated 1,987 village-level soil fertility maps for 21 States and Union Territories.