India Cabinet Approves Rs 62,370 Crore Rabi Fertiliser Subsidy, Up 64 Percent

India's Union Cabinet approved the nutrient based subsidy rates for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers for the Rabi 2026-27 season on Wednesday, a decision that sets how much support farmers will get on these fertilisers through the winter season. The rates were approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Mr. Modi announced the approval on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The approved rates apply from October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

A 64 percent increase on last Rabi

The tentative budgetary requirement for Rabi 2026-27 is approximately Rs 62,370.02 crore. That figure is about Rs 24,417.73 crore more than the requirement for Rabi 2025-26, which stood at Rs 37,952.29 crore. The Hindu BusinessLine described the package as a 64 percent increase over last year. The paper said the larger package is aimed at ensuring steady fertiliser availability and protecting farmers from global price volatility, while keeping DAP prices unchanged.

How the subsidy reaches farmers

The decision covers phosphatic and potassic fertilisers, known as P and K fertilisers. The government makes 28 grades of P and K fertilisers, including DAP, available to farmers at subsidised prices through manufacturers and importers. The subsidy on P and K fertilisers has been governed by the nutrient based subsidy scheme since April 1, 2010. Under the approved rates, the subsidy will be paid to fertiliser companies at the approved notified rates, so that fertilisers reach farmers at affordable prices. The rates are fixed for the full Rabi period, from the start of October 2026 to the end of March 2027.

Rates set against world prices

The government release said the rates were set in view of recent trends in the international prices of fertilisers and inputs, including urea, DAP, MOP and sulphur. Those world prices are the backdrop to the size of this season's bill. The requirement for Rabi 2026-27 is Rs 62,370.02 crore, against Rs 37,952.29 crore for Rabi 2025-26, a rise of Rs 24,417.73 crore in one year. For farmers, the point of the decision, as The Hindu BusinessLine reported it, is steady supply through the season, protection from global price swings, and no change in DAP prices.

Museum project approved at the same meeting

At the same Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet approved a Rs 3,230 crore project to transform the North and South Block buildings in New Delhi into the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum. The project covers over one lakh square metres of display space. The Hindu BusinessLine reported that the museum is described as set to become the world's largest museum.