Do you want to start a Dairy Farm or buy a Buffalo to increase your income, but don’t have the cash?
Let’s go to a village in Haryana and meet Ramlal.
Ramlal is a small farmer. He has 1 acre of land and 1 Buffalo.
The buffalo gives 10 liters of milk daily, which Ramlal sells to run his house.
He realized: “If I buy one more Buffalo, my income will double.”
But a good Murrah Buffalo costs ₹80,000 to ₹90,000. Ramlal didn’t have that much money.
- He went to the Money Lender (Sahukar). The interest was 3% per month (36% yearly!).
- He worried that all his milk profit would go into paying interest.
Then, the Veterinary Doctor told him about the Pashu Kisan Credit Card (PKCC).
- Ramlal went to the bank with his buffalo’s health certificate.
- The bank gave him a limit of ₹1.60 Lakhs without asking for any land papers.
- He bought 2 Buffaloes.
- The interest rate was just 4% per year.
Today, Ramlal sells 30 liters of milk daily and pays the bank easily.
This scheme is a game-changer for rural India.
In 2026, the Government wants to boost “White Revolution”. Whether you want to buy a Cow, Buffalo, Goat, or even Poultry (Hens), this card is your debit card for animals.
In this detailed guide, we will explain the loan limits, interest rates, and the offline application process (because this scheme is mostly offline).
Part 1: What is Pashu Kisan Credit Card (PKCC)?
You have heard of KCC (Kisan Credit Card) which is for crops (Seeds/Fertilizers).
PKCC (Pashu Kisan Credit Card) is specifically for Animal Husbandry.
The Big Problem Solved:
Earlier, banks would ask: “Do you have land to mortgage?”
If a landless laborer wanted to buy a cow, he couldn’t get a loan.
PKCC changed this rules. Now, the animal itself is the asset. You can get a loan for working capital (feed, medicine, water, electricity) or purchasing animals.
Key Features:
- No Guarantee Limit: Up to ₹1.60 Lakhs loan requires NO Collateral (Mortgage).
- High Limit: With collateral, you can get up to ₹3 Lakhs.
- Debit Card Facility: You get a RuPay Debit Card. You can withdraw money from ATM anytime to buy fodder (chara) or medicine.
Part 2: Loan Amount Per Animal (Scale of Finance)
The bank doesn’t give random money. There is a fixed rate list (Scale of Finance) decided by the District Level Technical Committee (DLTC).
Note: Rates vary slightly by State.
| Animal Type | Approx Loan Amount (Per Animal) |
| Buffalo (Bhains) | ₹60,249 |
| Cow (Gaay) | ₹40,783 |
| Sheep/Goat (Bakri/Bhed) | ₹4,063 |
| Pig (Suar) | ₹16,337 |
| Hen (Egg Laying) | ₹720 per bird |
Example:
If you want to buy 2 Buffaloes:
Loan Amount = ₹60,249 x 2 = ₹1,20,498.
Since this is below ₹1.60 Lakh, you need Zero Security.
Part 3: The Interest Rate Math (Cheapest Loan)
This is the cheapest loan available in India, even cheaper than Home Loan.
- Normal Rate: Banks usually charge 7% interest on KCC/PKCC.
- Govt Subsidy (Subvention): If you pay on time, the Govt gives a 3% Subsidy.
- Effective Rate: 7% – 3% = 4% Per Year.
Calculation:
If you take ₹1 Lakh loan:
- Yearly Interest @ 4% = ₹4,000.
- Monthly Interest = Approx ₹333.
- Can you imagine getting ₹1 Lakh for just ₹333/month interest? That is the power of PKCC.
Part 4: Eligibility Criteria (Who Can Apply?)
This scheme is not just for farmers.
- Profession:
- Farmers (owning land).
- Landless Laborers (who have sheds to keep animals).
- Dairy Owners.
- State: Initially launched in Haryana, now applicable across India (Majorly active in Rajasthan, UP, MP, Punjab, Bihar).
- Animal Ownership: You must either own the animal or have a plan to buy one. The animal must be Tagging Verified (Ear Tag) and have a Health Certificate.
- Credit History: You should not be a defaulter in any other bank loan.
Part 5: Documents Required (The File)
Since this is an offline process, prepare a file with these papers.
- Application Form: Available at Bank Branch.
- KYC: Aadhaar Card, Pan Card, Voter ID.
- Land Papers: (Optional) Copy of Jamabandi (if you own land). If landless, an affidavit.
- Health Certificate: A certificate from the Government Veterinary Doctor stating the health, age, and tag number of the animal.
- Passport Size Photos.
- Bank Account Details.
Part 6: Why Do Banks Reject PKCC Applications?
Let’s be honest. Many farmers complain: “Sir, Bank Manager bhaga deta hai.” (Manager sends us away).
Why does this happen?
The biggest reason is your CIBIL Score (Credit History).
Even though the government says “No Collateral”, the bank will check if you have defaulted on a previous KCC loan or a Tractor loan.
Is your CIBIL Score low or unknown?
If the bank sees a “Written Off” status, they will never give you a loan.
Before going to the bank, check and fix your score. Read our guide on How to Increase CIBIL Score Fast. If your score is 750+, the manager cannot deny your application easily.
Part 7: How to Apply (Offline Process Step-by-Step)
Unlike Personal Loans, you cannot apply for PKCC on an App. You have to visit the branch.
Step 1: Veterinary Verification
- Take your animal (or details of animal to be bought) to the nearest Government Veterinary Hospital.
- Get the Health Certificate and get the animal Tagged (Ear Tagging is mandatory for Insurance).
Step 2: Visit the Bank
- Go to the bank where you have your savings account (SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, etc.).
- Ask for the “Pashu Kisan Credit Card Application Form”.
Step 3: Fill & Submit
- Fill in the details: How many animals? What is the Milk yield?
- Attach the Doctor’s certificate and KYC documents.
Step 4: Inspection
- The Bank Field Officer might visit your home/farm to verify if you actually have the shed and water arrangement for animals.
Step 5: Sanction
- Once approved, the limit is set on your Debit Card.
- You can withdraw cash or pay dealers directly.
Part 8: Important Rules (Repayment)
This is very important. If you don’t follow this, you will lose the 4% rate benefit.
- Validity: The card limit is valid for 5 years.
- Renewal: Every year, you have to renew the limit.
- The “Zero Balance” Rule: You must bring your loan account to Zero (Credit Balance) for at least 24 hours once in a year.
- Example: If you took ₹50,000. You must repay it fully once, keep it zero for a day, and then you can withdraw it again next day. This proves you are rotating money and not just eating it.
Part 9: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I buy a Goat (Bakri) with this?
Yes. The scale of finance covers Goats, Sheep, Pigs, and even Chickens. The loan amount for a Goat is small (approx ₹4,000 – ₹5,000 per goat), so usually, people apply for a flock of 10-20 goats.
Q2: Which bank provides PKCC?
Almost all PSU banks (SBI, PNB, Canara, Union Bank) and Regional Rural Banks (Gramin Banks) provide this. Cooperative banks are also very active in this.
Q3: Is Insurance mandatory?
Yes. The bank will not give a loan if the animal is not insured. If the animal dies, the insurance company pays the loan. The premium cost is usually shared or borne by the farmer.
Q4: Can I take both KCC (Crop) and PKCC (Animal) loans?
Yes. You can have both limits separately. However, the total “Collateral Free” limit across all KCCs combined usually caps at ₹1.60 Lakh to ₹3 Lakh depending on the bank’s policy.
Q5: What if I don’t have land?
You are still eligible. The scheme was specifically designed for landless cattle rearers. You just need to prove you have the infrastructure (shed/space) to keep the animal.
Final Verdict: The ATM for Farmers
The Pashu Kisan Credit Card is not just a loan; it is cash liquidity in your pocket.
Farmers often sell their animals in distress when they need urgent money for a wedding or hospital.
With PKCC, you don’t need to sell the animal. Just swipe the card, take the money, and repay when you sell the milk.
If you have a Buffalo or Cow tied at your home, don’t let it just stand there. Make it your financial asset today.
Pashu Dhan, Desh Ka Dhan.
External Links for Official Information
- Official Details: Visit your nearest Animal Husbandry Department (Pashu Chikitsalaya).
- SBI PKCC Page: sbi.co.in
Amit Sharma is a financial content expert with over 3 years of experience in the banking and lending sector. He specializes in simplifying personal loan eligibility, credit scores, and surrogate loan processes for everyday Indians.