The Centre Tuesday announced the rates of nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the Rabi season 2025-26. A decision of this effect was taken during the Union Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Briefing reporters on the Cabinet decisions, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the move will promote balanced use of fertilisers. The NBS subsidy has been fixed for the ongoing Rabi season from October 1 until March 31, 2026.
“The tentative budgetary requirement for Rabi season 2025-26 would be approximately Rs 37,952.29 crore. This is approximately Rs 736 crore more than the budgetary requirement for the Kharif season 2025,” said an official statement released after the Cabinet meeting.
“The subsidy on P&K fertilisers, including Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and NPKS (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash, Sulphur) grades, will be provided based on approved rates for Rabi 2025-26 (applicable from 01.10.2025 to 31.03.2026) to ensure smooth availability of these fertilisers to the farmers at affordable prices,” the statement said.
Listing the benefits of the decision, the statement said, “Availability of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised, affordable and reasonable prices will be ensured. Rationalisation of subsidy on P&K fertilisers in view of recent trends in the international prices of fertilisers and inputs.”
The government provides subsidies for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potash (K), and sulphur (S) on a per-kilogram basis. In all, 28 grades of P and K fertilisers are covered under the NBS subsidy regime.
The subsidy rates have been fixed at Rs 43.02 per kg for nitrogen (N), Rs 47.96 per kg for phosphorus (P), Rs 2.38 per kg for potash (K), and Rs 2.87 per kg for sulphur for the ongoing Rabi season.
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“The per KG prices of P and S nutrients are 1 to 10 per cent higher than previous prices. Per kg prices of N and K nutrients are at the same level,” said an official.
