First Bank to Launch Kisan Credit Card

The first bank to launch the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) was:

Correct Answer: Punjab National Bank

Punjab National Bank (PNB) was the first bank to launch the Kisan Credit Card (KCC).

Key Facts About Kisan Credit Card

• First launched by: Punjab National Bank (PNB)
• Introduced: 1998–99, based on recommendations of the R.V. Gupta Committee.
• Purpose: To provide farmers with timely and adequate credit for agricultural operations without repeated paper work.
• Covers: Crop production expenses, post-harvest expenses, farm maintenance, allied activities like animal husbandry.
• Credit limit: Based on landholding, crop pattern, and scale of finance.

Credit Terms in Agriculture

• 3 R's of credit: Return, Repayment capacity, Risk bearing
• 3 C's of credit: Character, Capital, Capacity
• NABARD established: 1982 (apex agricultural finance institution)