Tamil Nadu Cooperative Crop Loan Waiver Scheme 2026
Crop loans up to ₹75,000 taken from cooperative banks and societies between 1 May 2025 and 28 February 2026 are waived in full.
Run by: Department of Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection — Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Government of Tamil Nadu
- Fully waived
- Crop loans up to ₹75,000
- Loan window covered
- 1 May 2025 – 28 Feb 2026
- Loans cleared (22 Sep 2026)
- ₹5,267 crore, 13.34 lakh farmers
- Which loans
- Cooperative bank / society crop loans only
Overview
Tamil Nadu's cooperative societies and central cooperative banks give most small farmers their crop loans. In 2026 the state government waived part of these loans. The first step, in May 2026, covered loans up to ₹50,000. On 16 June 2026 Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay widened it: crop loans up to ₹75,000 are waived in full (The Tribune).
The waiver covers crop loans taken through cooperative banks between 1 May 2025 and 28 February 2026, and it applies whatever the size of the farmer's landholding. It was announced for about 14.43 lakh farmers, at an extra cost of roughly ₹5,900 crore. Farmers whose loans were bigger than ₹75,000 were promised part-relief; on 17 August 2026 the Chief Minister announced a further relief package for them (Outlook).
The slabs for loans above ₹75,000 are reported differently by different outlets, so they are not quoted here. Ask your cooperative society for the exact amount credited against your loan.
On 22 September 2026 the Registrar of Co-operative Societies issued a circular. It asked cooperative banks and societies to temporarily suspend recovery against farmers who got only partial relief, after complaints of harsh recovery action, and to sanction fresh crop loans by 30 September to farmers who had fully repaid. As of that date, ₹5,267 crore out of about ₹5,932 crore of eligible loans had been cleared for 13.34 lakh farmers (Hans India).
What you get
The benefit as the state notifies it — nothing here is an estimate.
- Crop loans of up to ₹75,000 are waived in full.
- No landholding limit — the waiver applies irrespective of land size.
- Part-relief for farmers whose loans were larger than ₹75,000.
- Recovery against partially-relieved farmers suspended by the Registrar; fresh crop loans for farmers who cleared their dues.
Who is eligible
State schemes usually state their criteria as prose rather than a checklist. This is that prose, unpacked — the department’s verification is what decides.
You qualify if
- Farmer who took a crop loan from a cooperative bank or primary agricultural cooperative society in Tamil Nadu
- Loan taken between 1 May 2025 and 28 February 2026
- Waiver is full if the outstanding amount is ₹75,000 or less; larger loans get part-relief
Not covered
- Crop loans from commercial banks are outside this waiver — it covers cooperative loans only.
- Loans taken before 1 May 2025 or after 28 February 2026 fall outside the notified window.
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — most rejections are a missing paper, not a missing right.
- Cooperative society / bank loan account details
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook of the loan account
How to apply
Fewer steps than a central scheme, and usually one office rather than a portal.
- 1
Check your loan date
Look at your loan papers. The crop loan must have been taken between 1 May 2025 and 28 February 2026 from a cooperative bank or society.
- 2
Ask the society for your waiver status
No separate form was described in the announcements. Ask your primary agricultural cooperative society how much has been waived on your account.
- 3
Do not pay recovery notices blindly
If you got only partial relief and the society demands the rest, show the Registrar's 22 September 2026 circular that suspends recovery.
- 4
Apply for a fresh crop loan
If you have cleared all dues, ask for a new crop loan for the current season. The Registrar ordered societies to sanction these by 30 September.
If something goes wrong
Missing from the list, or payment stuck — here is the channel the department itself publishes for it.
- First, your society secretary and the District Central Cooperative Bank, then the Joint Registrar of Co-operative Societies of your region.
- For escalation, use the CM Helpline "Mudhalvarin Mugavari": call 1100 (7 am – 10 pm) or cmhelpline.tnega.org.
Frequently asked questions
Which loans are waived completely?
Cooperative crop loans of up to ₹75,000, taken between 1 May 2025 and 28 February 2026, irrespective of landholding size.
My loan was above ₹75,000. What do I get?
Part-relief. Reports differ on the exact slabs, so ask your society for the amount credited to your loan account.
Do I need to apply?
The announcements describe no separate application. The waiver runs through the cooperative society that gave the loan, so ask the society how your account was treated.
Does it cover loans from SBI or other commercial banks?
No. Only crop loans from cooperative banks and societies are covered.
My society is asking me to repay the balance. Is that allowed?
On 22 September 2026 the Registrar told societies to temporarily suspend recovery against farmers who got only partial relief. Show the circular if you are pressed.
How much has been waived so far?
As of 22 September 2026, ₹5,267 crore of about ₹5,932 crore of eligible loans had been cleared, covering 13.34 lakh farmers (Hans India). The waiver was announced for about 14.43 lakh farmers.
Can I get a new loan after the waiver?
Farmers who fully repaid earlier loans and have no dues were to be given fresh crop loans by 30 September 2026. If a society refuses, complain to the Registrar's office.
Facts checked against www.rcs.tn.gov.in on 4 October 2026. editorial policy.