Consider the following statements:The nation-wide 'Soil Health Card Scheme' aims at1.expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.2.enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.3.checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. A

   1 and 2 only

   Option (a) is 1 and 2 only. Soil Health Card does not aim to expand irrigated area, nor is it a bank tool to size crop loans from soil quality. Both 1 and 2 are false. This option is not the key.

2. B

   3 only

   The scheme tests soil and recommends nutrient doses so farmers avoid blanket NPK use. Checking overuse of fertilisers is the intended outcome in statement 3. Statements 1 and 2 are not scheme aims. Hence 3 only is the official key.

3. C

   2 and 3 only

   Option (c) is 2 and 3 only. Banks do not set loan quantum from the card. Statement 2 is false. This option is not the key.

4. D

   1, 2 and 3

   Option (d) is all three. Irrigation expansion and bank-loan assessment are not SHC objectives. This option is therefore wrong.

Summary. Official key is (b) 3 only. Soil Health Card (2015) reports NPK, micronutrients and pH and advises fertiliser doses. That is meant to curb excess chemical use. It is not an irrigation-area programme and not a credit-appraisal device for banks. Only statement 3 is correct.