Nutrient-Based Subsidy Rabi 2025–26 rates approved by the Government of India to ensure affordable fertilizers, balanced nutrient use, and support for farmers during Rabi season.
Government of India Approves Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Rates for Rabi 2025–26
The Government of India has approved the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the Rabi 2025–26 season, ensuring that vital fertilizers remain affordable and accessible to farmers during the upcoming cropping period. The decision, announced in January 2026, marks a crucial step towards supporting the agricultural sector, promoting balanced fertilization, and protecting farmers from volatile global fertilizer prices. The subsidy rates will be applicable from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026, covering key phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and several NPKS grades.
Understanding the Nutrient-Based Subsidy Scheme
The Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme was launched on 1 April 2010 by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and implemented by the Department of Fertilizers. Under this scheme, the government provides a fixed subsidy per kilogram based on the nutrient content (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur) of fertilizers, instead of subsidizing specific fertilizer brands. This policy encourages balanced use of nutrients, discourages the overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizers, and ensures that farmers adopt scientifically recommended fertilizer practices for improved soil health and crop productivity.
Key Features of the New NBS Rates
For the Rabi 2025–26 season, the NBS rates per kilogram are set as follows: • Nitrogen (N): ₹43.02/kg • Phosphorus (P): ₹47.96/kg • Potassium (K): ₹2.38/kg • Sulphur (S): ₹2.87/kg. These rates aim to absorb international price fluctuations and maintain stable retail prices for farmers. Moreover, the government has expanded fertilizer coverage to include 28 P&K grades, giving farmers more nutrient options tailored to specific soil and crop needs.
Impact on Farmers and Agriculture Sector
The approval of NBS rates ensures that fertilizers such as DAP, MOP (Muriate of Potash), and SSP (Single Super Phosphate) remain available at subsidized rates, reducing cost burdens on farmers. The estimated budgetary requirement for implementing these subsidy rates during the Rabi season is ₹37,952.29 crore, which is approximately ₹736 crore higher than the Kharif 2025 season. This reflects the government’s priority in stabilizing input costs and supporting farm production amidst global price pressures.
Ensuring Balanced Fertilization and Soil Health
Balanced fertilization is critical for long-term soil productivity, crop yield, and environmental sustainability. The NBS framework promotes balanced application of nutrients, helping farmers avoid over-dependence on nitrogen fertilizers. With the inclusion of additional fertilizer grades and targeted subsidy rates, the government aims to ensure that nutrient deficiencies in soil are addressed, crop requirements are met efficiently, and overall agricultural productivity is enhanced.
Role of the Department of Fertilizers
The Department of Fertilizers, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, continuously monitors international fertilizer prices, domestic supply challenges, and crop nutrient needs before proposing NBS rate revisions. By aligning subsidy rates with global trends, the government aims to maintain a balance between farmer affordability and fiscal sustainability. The NBS scheme also mandates strict regulatory oversight on fertilizer pricing and distribution to prevent misuse or overpricing.
Why This News Is Important for Exam Aspirants
Significance in Agriculture Policy and Rural Economy
The approval of the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Rabi 2025–26 is significant because agriculture remains a backbone of the Indian economy, employing a large proportion of the rural workforce and contributing substantially to the nation’s GDP. Government subsidy policies directly impact crop input costs, farmer incomes, production decisions, and food security — all crucial areas for competitive exams. Understanding this policy helps aspirants tackle questions on agricultural reforms, government schemes, and fiscal measures aimed at supporting farmers.
Relevance for Current Affairs and Government Initiatives
Government exams frequently include questions on recent policy measures and their implications. The NBS decision reflects ongoing efforts to ensure balanced nutrient use, soil health management, and sustainable agricultural practices. Aspirants must know how such subsidies promote balanced fertilization, prevent over-reliance on specific fertilizers, and integrate scientific practices into agriculture. Additionally, the effective budgetary allocation and implementation timeline (Rabi season) are useful facts for both Prelims and Mains exam stages.
Historical Context of the Nutrient-Based Subsidy Scheme
Evolution of Fertilizer Subsidy Policy in India
India’s fertilizer subsidy regime has evolved significantly over time. Initially, subsidies were predominantly provided on urea fertilizers, leading to imbalanced nutrient usage and soil degradation. Recognizing these challenges, the government introduced the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme in 2010. Unlike earlier approaches, NBS links subsidy to the nutrient content of fertilizers, encouraging farmers to adopt balanced fertilization practices with adequate Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and Sulphur (S).
Objectives Behind NBS Over Time
The primary objective behind introducing NBS was to reduce the distortion in fertilizer usage, promote the use of various nutrients in required proportions, and improve soil health. Over the years, changes in global fertilizer prices and domestic agricultural needs have prompted periodic revisions in NBS rates. This ensures that Indian farmers are not adversely affected by international price volatility and that fertilizers remain affordable throughout the sowing seasons — particularly during Kharif and Rabi, which are critical cropping cycles in the Indian agricultural calendar.
Key Takeaways from Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) for Rabi 2025–26
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | The Government of India approved NBS rates for Rabi 2025–26 to support farmers with affordable fertilizers. |
| 2. | The NBS rates apply from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026 for phosphatic and potassic fertilizers. |
| 3. | Subsidy rates per kg: N – ₹43.02, P – ₹47.96, K – ₹2.38, S – ₹2.87. |
| 4. | Estimated budgetary requirement for the subsidy is ₹37,952.29 crore. |
| 5. | The scheme promotes balanced nutrient use to maintain soil health and sustainable crop production. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme?
The NBS Scheme was launched in April 2010 to provide subsidies on fertilizers based on their nutrient content (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur), rather than on specific fertilizer brands. It encourages balanced fertilization and sustainable agriculture.
2. Which fertilizers are covered under NBS for Rabi 2025–26?
The NBS for Rabi 2025–26 covers phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP), Single Super Phosphate (SSP), and 28 other P&K grades.
3. What are the NBS rates approved for Rabi 2025–26?
The approved rates per kilogram are:
- Nitrogen (N): ₹43.02
- Phosphorus (P): ₹47.96
- Potassium (K): ₹2.38
- Sulphur (S): ₹2.87
4. What is the budget allocated for NBS during Rabi 2025–26?
The government has allocated approximately ₹37,952.29 crore for implementing the NBS for the Rabi season.
5. Why is the NBS scheme important for farmers?
It reduces fertilizer costs, promotes balanced nutrient application, ensures soil health, and helps in achieving higher crop productivity, which is crucial for the agricultural economy.
6. From when will these NBS rates be applicable?
The rates will be effective from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026, covering the Rabi cropping season.
7. How does NBS help in preventing overuse of fertilizers?
By linking subsidies to nutrient content, farmers are encouraged to use fertilizers judiciously, avoiding excessive nitrogen application and promoting balanced fertilization.
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