Under the Central Government’s Soil Health Card scheme, a farmer’s soil is tested free of cost. The scheme was launched on 19 February 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Suratgarh, Rajasthan. From 2022-23 it runs under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) as the ‘Soil Health and Fertility’ component. After the test, the farmer gets a Soil Health Card that carries the soil’s health report and fertiliser advice. The card is issued once every 3 years.
What the card contains
The Soil Health Card tests the soil on 12 parameters. It covers the major nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potash (K) and sulphur (S). It also tests the micro-nutrients zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and boron (Bo). The soil’s pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and organic carbon (OC) are also measured. The card also says which fertiliser, in what quantity, should be used in the field. The farmer gets this report on the basis of a sample taken from his own field.
How the farmer benefits
The card tells the farmer which nutrient is lacking in the soil and which is in excess. So the farmer can apply the right fertiliser in the right quantity — neither less nor more. The right fertiliser increases crop yield and cuts wasteful spending on fertiliser. Soil health also stays good for a long time. The card is completely free — the farmer pays nothing for the test. By 13 March 2026, 25.89 crore cards had been made across the country; in 2025-26, 97.53 lakh samples were collected and 92.87 lakh were tested.
How the soil is tested
The farmer gives a soil sample from his field — the agriculture department or village-level worker explains how to take the sample. The sample is tested in a soil testing laboratory and a report is prepared. On the basis of the report, the Soil Health Card is made, with the results of the 12 parameters and the fertiliser advice. The card can also be seen on the soilhealth.dac.gov.in portal. A farmer can also ask about the card at his village agriculture department office or Common Service Centre (CSC). There is no fee for the test or the card — never pay anyone for it.
Getting the card in Haryana
This is a Central Government scheme that runs across the whole country, including Haryana. The state-level process for Haryana, the documents needed and the contact details are in our separate guide — Har Khet Swasth Khet: Soil Health Card Haryana (https://www.viksitharyana.com/har-khet-swasth-khet-soil-health-card-haryana/). That guide gives step-by-step information for Haryana farmers. To get the benefit of this central scheme, a farmer should contact his district agriculture department. The latest status of the card can be checked on soilhealth.dac.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a Soil Health Card? A: It is a report of the soil test on 12 parameters, which also carries fertiliser advice.
Q2: How often is the card issued? A: The card is issued once every 3 years, after the sample is tested and the report is prepared.
Q3: Do I have to pay for the test? A: No, the soil test and the card are completely free.
Q4: Where can I check my card? A: On the soilhealth.dac.gov.in portal, or ask at your district agriculture department office.
Useful links
- Soil Health Card Portal: https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/
- Soil Health Card Scheme on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/rkvyshfshc
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
