The Union Cabinet has approved revised subsidy rates for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for the Rabi 2025-26 season, reaffirming its commitment to farmer welfare and affordable crop inputs.
The decision will cost the exchequer around ₹37,952 crore, which is nearly ₹736 crore higher than the subsidy bill for the Kharif season. The government has increased the subsidy on phosphorus from ₹43.60 per kg to ₹47.96 per kg, and on sulphur from ₹1.77 per kg to ₹2.87 per kg. Subsidy rates for nitrogen and potash remain unchanged.
Officials said the move will help stabilise fertiliser prices for farmers, particularly for commonly used varieties such as DAP and TSP, while ensuring manufacturers are compensated for rising global input costs.
The NBS scheme, which covers more than two dozen grades of P&K fertilisers, links subsidies to nutrient content and channels payments directly to manufacturers. This mechanism ensures that farmers continue to access fertilisers at regulated, affordable retail prices.
With the Rabi sowing season underway across major grain-growing states, the timing of the subsidy hike is expected to provide relief to farmers cultivating wheat, mustard, gram, and other winter crops. The government said the decision underscores its long-term focus on ensuring food security and strengthening rural incomes.
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