The Union Government has approved the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the Rabi season 2025–26, applicable from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026, for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers, including DAP and NPKS grades.
According to the notification, the estimated budgetary requirement for the Rabi 2025–26 season is ₹37,952 crore, which is about ₹736 crore higher than the requirement for the 2025 Kharif season. The subsidy will be provided to fertiliser companies to ensure fertilisers are made available to farmers at notified rates.
NBS Scheme Overview
The Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme, introduced in April 2010, links fertiliser subsidy to the nutrient content rather than the product itself. Subsidy is calculated on the basis of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) content, allowing flexibility in fertiliser use based on soil and crop requirements.
Under the scheme, P&K fertilisers operate in a decontrolled pricing framework, where companies may fix the maximum retail price under government monitoring.
Subsidy Rates for Rabi 2025–26 (Per kg of Nutrient)
Nitrogen (N): ₹43.02
Phosphorus (P): ₹47.96
Potash (K): ₹2.38
Sulphur (S): ₹2.87
Key Fertiliser Subsidy Rates (₹ per metric tonne)
DAP (18-46-0-0): ₹29,805
MOP (0-0-60-0): ₹1,428
SSP (0-16-0-11): ₹7,408
NPK (15-15-15): ₹14,004
MAP (11-52-0-0): ₹29,671
TSP (0-46-0-0): ₹22,062
A total of 28 P&K fertiliser grades are covered under the NBS framework for the Rabi 2025–26 season.
Additional Provisions
DAP subsidy has been increased compared to the previous Rabi season.
Ammonium sulphate (both domestic and imported) has been included under the NBS scheme for Rabi 2025–26.
Additional subsidy is available for fortified fertilisers, including:
Boron (B): ₹300 per MT
Zinc (Zn): ₹500 per MT
Production and Budget Context
Between 2022–23 and 2024–25, over ₹2.04 lakh crore has been allocated under the NBS scheme. Domestic production of P&K fertilisers has increased from 112.19 LMT in 2014 to 168.55 LMT in 2025 (as of December 30).
The updated subsidy framework applies only to phosphatic and potassic fertilisers; urea continues under a separate pricing mechanism.
