No CIBIL Score Requirement for Crop Loans: Maharashtra CM Directs Banks

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that CIBIL scores will not be mandatory for crop loans, ordering bank headquarters to instruct branches to cease blocking farmer credit over credit scores.

Mumbai | May 22, 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued a strict directive to financial institutions, clarifying that the approval of crop loans must not be conditional on a farmer’s CIBIL score. Expressing strong displeasure over reported instances of local bank branches stalling credit access based on credit ratings, Fadnavis reiterated that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has already exempted crop loans from such mandates. He demanded that all bank headquarters immediately issue clear instructions to their respective branches to eliminate this systemic hurdle.

The directive was issued during the 171st State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) meeting held at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. The session was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil, and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister criticized the performance of nationalized banks compared to district central cooperative banks. He noted that while cooperative banks cover 61% of the state’s agricultural accounts and operate at an 85% achievement rate, nationalized banks account for just 26% of accounts and have only hit 67% of their targets. Fadnavis urged nationalized institutions to increase their efficiency and target an operational efficiency of 80% to 85% for agricultural credit during the upcoming season.

Reviewing regional outcomes, the Chief Minister highlighted that only Sindhudurg and Dhule districts met 90% to 100% of their loan distribution targets. Ten districts, including Pune, Nashik, and Satara, fell into the 73% to 90% bracket, while regions like Palghar, Sangli, and Nanded were flagged as underperforming areas requiring urgent state attention.

Fadnavis also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to complete the farm loan waiver process before June 30. He confirmed that once the official lists are published, beneficiary farmers will clear their default status and become immediately eligible for next year’s crop loans, even if the state’s financial settlement with the banks is progressively finalized later.

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