Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Fisheries provide income and employment to millions of people in India. However, fishers and fish farmers need money to manage regular expenses such as buying fish seeds, feed, fertilisers, fuel and other essential items. To help them meet these expenses, the Government of India extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish farmers in 2018-19. Under the Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries (KCC Fisheries), eligible beneficiaries can get short-term loans from banks for their fisheries-related activities.

The scheme was introduced following the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement and became operational through RBI guidelines issued on 4 February 2019. It is implemented through banks under the guidance of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks provide loans to eligible applicants.

The main aim of KCC Fisheries is to provide easy and timely loans to fishers and fish farmers so they do not have to depend on private moneylenders. The loan can be used for activities such as inland fishing, fish farming, aquaculture, shrimp and prawn farming, hatcheries, fish seed production and marine fishing.

Beneficiaries can use the loan to buy fish seeds, feed and fertilisers, pay labour charges, electricity bills and fuel costs, and meet harvesting and marketing expenses. Marine fishers can also use it for fuel, ice and other fishing-related expenses. The loan is provided as a revolving credit facility, allowing borrowers to withdraw and repay money within their approved loan limit.

Eligible borrowers can get a loan of up to ₹5 lakh. The concessional interest rate is 7% per year, which can come down to 4% for borrowers who repay on time and qualify for the 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive. However, the interest benefit is subject to separate eligibility limits. Loans up to ₹2 lakh can also be provided without collateral, subject to bank conditions.

The scheme is open to individual fishers and fish farmers, tenant farmers, sharecroppers, groups, Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs). Applicants must own or lease eligible fisheries-related assets and have the required licences or permissions. For marine fishing, they must have a registered fishing boat or vessel and the necessary fishing permission. Owning agricultural land is not compulsory.

Interested applicants can apply through the JanSamarth Portal, participating banks or their State or Union Territory Fisheries Department. They need to submit identity and address proof, bank details, photographs and documents related to their fisheries activity, along with the required licence or permission. Banks are expected to process complete applications within two weeks, subject to verification and eligibility.

For assistance regarding fisheries-related credit facilities, applicants can contact their nearest bank branch or district fisheries office. They can also contact the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) helpline at 1800-425-1660 for fisheries-related guidance. The Department of Fisheries also provides scheme-related information and updates through its official website.

Fishers and fish farmers interested in exploring other government support programmes can also read about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), which focuses on improving access to institutional finance, aquaculture insurance and support for fisheries-related enterprises. They can also explore the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Scheme Benefits

The Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries helps fishers and fish farmers manage their regular business expenses by providing affordable short-term credit. Some of the major benefits of the scheme are as follows:

• Eligible fishers and fish farmers can get a working capital loan of up to ₹5 lakh under the revised interest-subvention limit from 2025-26.
• Beneficiaries can get loans at an interest rate of 7% per annum, which can effectively reduce to 4% per annum if they repay the loan on time and qualify for the 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive.
• Eligible borrowers can get collateral-free loans up to ₹2 lakh per borrower.
• The loan can be used to purchase fish seeds, fish feed, fertilisers, lime and other essential materials required for fish farming.
• Fish farmers can use the credit to pay labour charges, electricity bills, water-body lease rent, harvesting expenses and marketing costs.
• Marine fishers can use the loan to meet expenses such as boat fuel, ice, labour, mooring and landing charges.
• The scheme covers different fisheries activities, including inland fish farming, aquaculture, shrimp farming, hatcheries, cage culture and marine fishing.
• Tenant fish farmers, sharecroppers and eligible individuals who lease ponds, tanks or other fisheries-related assets can also apply, even if they do not own agricultural land.
• Beneficiaries get a revolving credit facility, which allows them to withdraw and repay money within their sanctioned limit according to their working capital requirements.
• Banks have been advised to waive processing, documentation, inspection, ledger folio and other specified charges for eligible KCC loans up to ₹3 lakh.
• Banks are required to process complete applications within two weeks and communicate the reason if an application is rejected.
• Fishers and fish farmers can apply through the JanSamarth Portal, participating banks and State or Union Territory Fisheries Departments.

Loan Amount and Interest Rate

Under Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries, eligible fishers and fish farmers can get a working capital loan of up to ₹5 lakh. This limit was increased from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh in the 2025-26 financial year to help people meet the expenses of their fisheries-related activities.

The loan comes with an interest benefit from the Government. The interest rate works as follows:

• 7% annual interest: Eligible borrowers get the loan at an interest rate of 7% per year.
• 3% repayment benefit: If borrowers repay their loan on time, they can get an additional 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI).
• 4% effective interest rate: After receiving this 3% benefit, the effective interest rate can be reduced to 4% per year on the eligible loan amount.

However, the ₹5 lakh loan limit does not mean that the interest benefit automatically applies to the entire amount. Under the 2025-26 interest subvention rules, the benefit for fisheries and other allied activities is subject to a separate limit of ₹2 lakh per farmer, within the overall eligible KCC limit of ₹3 lakh when crop and allied activity loans are combined.

This means that a bank may approve a fisheries KCC loan of up to ₹5 lakh, but the concessional interest benefit may apply only to the eligible portion of the loan. The applicable interest rate and benefit will depend on the loan amount and the borrower's eligibility.

Collateral-Free Loan Limit

Under KCC Fisheries, eligible borrowers can get a collateral-free loan of up to ₹2 lakh per borrower. This means that a borrower does not need to provide property or other collateral security for a loan within this limit, subject to the bank's applicable lending conditions.

The collateral-free limit was increased from ₹1.60 lakh to ₹2 lakh with effect from 1 January 2025.

Activities Covered Under KCC Fisheries

KCC Fisheries provides short-term working capital for different fishing and fish-farming activities. These activities broadly fall under inland fisheries, aquaculture and marine fisheries.

Inland Fisheries

Inland fisheries include fishing and fish production in freshwater bodies such as ponds, tanks, lakes, reservoirs and rivers. Fishers and fish farmers engaged in these activities can use the loan to meet their regular operational expenses.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture involves raising fish and other aquatic organisms in controlled or managed water environments. It includes activities such as fish farming, shrimp and prawn farming, hatcheries, fish seed production, rearing units and raceway farming.

The loan can cover expenses such as fish seed, feed, fertilisers, lime, soil conditioners, labour, electricity, harvesting, marketing and lease rent for water areas.

Marine Fisheries

Marine fisheries cover fishing activities in coastal waters, estuaries and the open sea. Eligible fishers may include those who own or lease a registered fishing boat or vessel and have the required fishing licence or permission.

The loan can be used for working capital expenses such as fuel, ice, labour, and mooring and landing charges. Eligible mariculture activities in estuaries and the open sea are also covered.

The exact working capital requirement is assessed by the lending bank according to the nature of the activity and the applicable scale of finance.

Eligibility Requirements

The Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries is available to individuals and groups involved in fish farming, aquaculture and marine fishing activities. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to receive credit under the scheme:

• Individual fishers and fish farmers engaged in eligible fisheries and aquaculture activities can apply.
• Groups, partnerships, sharecroppers and tenant farmers involved in fisheries activities are also eligible.
• Self Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and women's groups engaged in fisheries can apply.
• For inland fisheries and aquaculture, applicants must own or lease fisheries-related assets such as ponds, tanks, open water bodies, raceways, hatcheries or fish-rearing units.
• Applicants involved in inland fisheries must have the necessary authorisation or certification applicable in their respective states for fish farming and fishing activities.
• For marine fisheries, applicants must own or lease a registered fishing vessel or boat.
• Marine fishing applicants must possess the required fishing licence or permission for fishing in estuaries and the sea.
• People involved in fish farming and mariculture in estuaries and the open sea can also apply, subject to the applicable licensing and permission requirements.
• Applicants must be engaged in eligible fisheries or allied activities and provide the necessary documents to establish their fisheries-related activity.

Required Documents

Applicants need to submit a few documents to verify their identity, address and fisheries-related activities while applying for the Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries. The following documents may be required by the bank, depending on the applicant's fishing or fish farming activity:

• A duly filled Kisan Credit Card application form with two recent passport-size photographs.
• Identity proof such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence or Passport.
• Address proof such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, recent electricity or telephone bill, Passport or a certificate issued by the Gram Panchayat or Municipality.
• Bank account details or a self-attested copy of the bank passbook.
• Proof of ownership or lease of fisheries-related assets, such as ponds, tanks, open water bodies, hatcheries, rearing units or fishing vessels.
• Details of the pond or tank area, lake or reservoir used for inland fish farming, wherever applicable.
• Details of the brackish-water or prawn farming area for applicants engaged in shrimp and prawn cultivation.
• Details of the source of fish seeds or fingerlings used for fish farming.
• Fishing licence, authorisation or permission issued by the competent authority, as applicable to the fisheries activity.
• Registered fishing vessel or boat documents for applicants involved in marine fishing.
• Land records, only if applicable to the applicant's fisheries activity.

Steps to Apply

Fishers and fish farmers who want to obtain a Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries can apply through the online facility or by visiting a participating bank. The scheme is available through the JanSamarth Portal, participating banks and State or Union Territory Fisheries Departments. Follow the steps below to submit your application.

Online Application Process

• First, open the JanSamarth Portal, which provides an online facility to apply for credit-linked government schemes.
• On the homepage, go to the loan categories and select the Agri Loan – Kisan Credit Card category.
• Choose Kisan Credit Card – Fisheries from the available options to access the fisheries-related loan facility.
• Check your eligibility by answering the questions displayed on the portal. Provide the required details about your fisheries activity and other relevant information.
• If eligible, proceed with the application and log in or register on the portal as prompted.
• Fill in the application form with your personal details, contact information, bank account details and fisheries-related information.
• Upload the required documents, including identity proof, address proof, photographs, fishing licence and details of your fisheries-related assets, wherever applicable.
• After completing the application, review all the information carefully and submit it through the portal.
• Check the available lending institutions and select the suitable bank or lender from the options provided.
• Once submitted, the concerned bank will examine your application and verify your details. You can track the application status through the portal.
• If the bank approves your application, it will complete the necessary formalities and sanction the Kisan Credit Card loan according to your eligibility and working capital requirements.

Offline Application Process

Applicants who are not comfortable applying online can also obtain assistance directly from a bank or their State Fisheries Department. The offline application process is as follows:

• Visit your nearest participating Commercial Bank, Regional Rural Bank or Cooperative Bank that provides KCC facilities for fisheries activities.
• Ask the bank officials for the Kisan Credit Card application form for fisheries. You can also enquire about the simplified IBA KCC application form.
• Fill in the application form with your personal details, bank information and details of your fish farming or fishing activities.
• Attach the required documents, including identity proof, address proof, photographs, fisheries asset ownership or lease documents and the applicable fishing licence or permission.
• Submit the completed application form along with the supporting documents to the bank.
• The bank will verify your application and assess your working capital requirements before deciding the loan amount.
• After approval, the bank will inform you about the sanctioned credit limit and complete the necessary formalities for providing the KCC facility.

As per the AHDF KCC guidelines, banks are expected to process a complete application within two weeks. If an application is rejected, the bank should communicate the reason to the applicant.

Difference Between Regular KCC and KCC Fisheries

Both Regular Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and KCC Fisheries provide short-term credit to support agricultural and allied activities. However, they are meant for different types of borrowers and working capital requirements.

One important difference is that KCC Fisheries is designed specifically for the working capital needs of fishers and fish farmers. It can cover eligible inland fisheries, aquaculture and marine fishing activities, whereas Regular KCC primarily supports crop cultivation.

The fisheries facility was added to the KCC framework in 2018-19. RBI guidelines also provide for a separate account or smart card for the fisheries and animal husbandry facility to help banks monitor its use separately from an existing crop-loan KCC account.

Relevant Links

• Department of Fisheries – Official Website
• Kisan Credit Card for Fishers and Fish Farmers – Scheme Details
• JanSamarth Portal – Online Loan Application
• Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries (KCC Fisheries) Guidelines
• National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP)

Contact Information

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India

• Phone: 011-23381994 (Secretary, Fisheries Office)
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Room No. 220, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001, India.

National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) – For fisheries-related assistance and guidance.

• Phone: 040-24000177 / 040-24000201
• Toll-Free Number: 1800-425-1660
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: National Fisheries Development Board, Pillar No. 235, PV Narasimha Rao Expressway, SVPNPA Post, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500052, India.