Fertilizer Subsidy Scheme 2026

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Fertilizers are important for healthy crop growth and good agricultural production, but buying them can be expensive for farmers. To make essential fertilizers more affordable, the Government of India provides support through the Fertilizer Subsidy Scheme. Under this scheme, farmers can buy urea at a fixed price of ₹242 per 45 kg bag, excluding applicable neem-coating charges and taxes. The government also provides subsidies on other fertilizers, such as DAP, MOP, SSP and NPK. Instead of sending the subsidy directly to farmers' bank accounts, the government pays eligible fertilizer companies based on recorded sales, allowing farmers to buy fertilizers at subsidized prices from authorized dealers.

The scheme is managed by the Department of Fertilizers under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India. It mainly operates through two systems: the Urea Subsidy Scheme and the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme, which started on 1 April 2010. The government fixes the retail price of urea, while the subsidy on eligible phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers depends on their nutrient content. These subsidy rates may change from time to time. Fertilizer sales are recorded through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system using Point of Sale (PoS) devices. This helps the government track sales and subsidy payments while supporting the affordable and timely availability of fertilizers across the country.

Farmers generally do not need to fill out a separate application form to buy subsidized fertilizers. They can visit an authorized fertilizer shop, complete the required identity verification and purchase the fertilizers they need at the applicable retail price. Farmers from different landholding categories can benefit, subject to the applicable purchase and verification rules. If they need help with fertilizer availability, overcharging or other farming-related questions, they can contact their local agriculture department or call the Kisan Call Center (KCC) at 1800-180-1551.

Farmers can also explore other government programmes that support their agricultural needs. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) provides eligible farmer families with financial assistance, while the Kisan Call Center offers guidance on farming-related questions. These programmes serve different purposes but can provide additional support and useful information to farmers.

Types of Fertilizer Subsidies in India

Fertilizers are essential for healthy crop growth, but their cost can increase farmers' expenses. To make them more affordable, the Government of India provides subsidies through two main schemes: the Urea Subsidy Scheme and the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme. The government may also provide additional support for certain fertilizers when needed.

• Urea Subsidy Scheme: Under this scheme, the government keeps the price of urea fixed so farmers can buy it at an affordable rate. The current reported price is ₹242 per 45 kg bag, excluding applicable neem-coating charges and taxes. The government pays eligible fertilizer companies a subsidy to cover the difference between the applicable cost and the amount received from sales. The scheme covers both domestically produced and imported urea, along with applicable transportation costs.
• Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme: Introduced on 1 April 2010, this scheme provides subsidies on approved phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers, such as DAP, MOP, SSP and NPK grades. The subsidy depends on the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur present in the fertilizer. The government revises these rates from time to time.
• Additional Subsidy Support: When fertilizer costs rise due to international prices or other expenses, the government may provide extra financial support for selected products. For example, additional support helped maintain the price of DAP at ₹1,350 per 50 kg bag during Kharif 2026. This price should not be assumed to apply to Rabi 2026–27 without a new official confirmation.

Farmers do not usually receive these subsidies directly in their bank accounts. Instead, the government pays eligible fertilizer companies according to the applicable rules, allowing farmers to purchase fertilizers at subsidized prices. For more information about fertilizer policies and the latest announcements, visit the Department of Fertilizers' official website.

Scheme Benefits

The Fertilizer Subsidy Scheme helps farmers reduce fertilizer expenses and access essential nutrients for better crop growth. Its main benefits include:

• Farmers can purchase urea at a fixed price of ₹242 per 45 kg bag, excluding applicable neem-coating charges and taxes.
• Subsidies on fertilizers such as DAP, MOP, SSP and NPK help make essential plant nutrients more affordable.
• The government provides subsidies to eligible fertilizer companies, allowing farmers to buy fertilizers at subsidized retail prices.
• Farmers across different landholding categories can benefit from subsidized fertilizers without a general income or landholding limit for ordinary purchases.
• The government plans fertilizer supplies according to seasonal agricultural demand to support timely availability during Kharif and Rabi seasons.
• The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system records fertilizer sales through Point of Sale (PoS) devices, improving transparency in subsidy distribution.
• Neem-coated urea supports more efficient fertilizer use and helps discourage the misuse of urea for non-agricultural purposes.
• The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme supports the availability of different phosphatic and potassic fertilizers, helping farmers meet their crops' nutrient requirements.
• Government monitoring and enforcement measures help address fertilizer hoarding, black marketing, overcharging and the sale of substandard products.

Eligibility Requirements

The Fertilizer Subsidy Scheme helps farmers purchase fertilizers at subsidized prices without requiring a separate application. Farmers can generally benefit from the scheme if they meet the following conditions:

• The applicant must be a farmer or a buyer purchasing eligible fertilizers for agricultural use.
• Farmers from small, marginal, medium and large landholding categories can benefit from subsidized fertilizer prices.
• There is no general income limit or landholding restriction for purchasing ordinary subsidized fertilizers.
• The buyer must complete the required identification process through the retailer's Point of Sale (PoS) device. Aadhaar authentication is the primary method, while other accepted identification options may be available under applicable government instructions.
• The purchase must follow the applicable fertilizer sale rules and buyer limits under the PoS system.
• The fertilizer must be purchased from an authorized fertilizer retailer or a Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendra (PMKSK).

Farmers generally do not need to register separately or submit income certificates or land ownership documents to purchase subsidized fertilizers. However, they should follow the identification and purchase procedures applicable at the time of sale.

Required Documents

Farmers generally do not need to submit a separate application or a set of documents to purchase fertilizers under the Fertilizer Subsidy Scheme. However, they may need to complete identity verification at the retailer's Point of Sale (PoS) device. The following details may be required during the purchase:

• Aadhaar card or Aadhaar-based authentication, as required by the PoS system.
• Other accepted identification, such as a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) or Voter ID, where permitted under the applicable government instructions.
• Payment details for completing the fertilizer purchase.
• The purchase receipt or SMS confirmation for future reference, if issued.

A separate income certificate, land ownership document or bank passbook is generally not required for an ordinary subsidized fertilizer purchase. Farmers should confirm the currently accepted identification methods with the authorized fertilizer retailer if they cannot complete Aadhaar authentication.

Steps to Apply

Farmers do not need to fill out a separate application form to buy fertilizers under the Fertilizer Subsidy Scheme. They can purchase the fertilizers they need from an authorized dealer by following a simple verification process.

• Visit a nearby authorized fertilizer shop or a Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendra (PMKSK) to buy fertilizers for your crops.
• Tell the dealer which fertilizer you need, such as urea, DAP, MOP or NPK. Before buying, check the bag size and the maximum retail price (MRP) printed on it.
• Complete the required identity verification using the retailer's Point of Sale (PoS) device. Aadhaar authentication is commonly used. If you cannot use Aadhaar, ask the dealer about other identification options permitted under the current rules.
• After your purchase is recorded on the PoS device, pay the applicable price and collect your fertilizer.
• Keep your purchase receipt and any SMS confirmation you receive. These details can help you check your purchase or resolve a problem later.
• If a dealer charges more than the printed MRP or refuses to follow the applicable rules, contact your local agriculture department or fertilizer inspector for help.

The subsidy is paid to eligible fertilizer companies based on recorded sales. Farmers receive the benefit by purchasing fertilizers at subsidized prices rather than through a direct bank transfer. For official information and policy updates, visit the Department of Fertilizers website.

Latest Fertilizer Subsidy Rates and Prices (2026–27)

Fertilizer prices and subsidy rates depend on the product, its nutrient content and the government's applicable pricing policy. Urea has a government-controlled maximum retail price, whereas the retail prices of fertilizers covered under the NBS Scheme are determined by companies under government monitoring. The following table presents the latest relevant official figures identified in this research, with their applicable periods clearly stated.

Fertilizer Retail Prices

Nutrient Based Subsidy Rates

Under the NBS Scheme, the government fixes subsidy rates per kilogram of nutrient for notified phosphatic and potassic fertilizers. These rates may change between cropping seasons. The following figures are from the Rabi 2025–26 notification and are provided as historical reference rates, not as confirmed Rabi 2026–27 rates.

The government also approved the following nutrient-wise rates for Kharif 2026, applicable from 1 April to 30 September 2026.

Fertilizer Subsidy Rules and Complaint Process

Fertilizer subsidies are subject to government pricing, distribution and sale regulations. Farmers should check the printed price, buy from authorized dealers and report suspected violations to the relevant authorities.

• Fertilizers must be sold according to the applicable pricing and distribution rules. Check the printed MRP before paying for a bag.
• For notified P&K fertilizers under the NBS Scheme, the manufacturer or importer must follow the applicable MRP and subsidy disclosure requirements.
• The government has reported a purchase ceiling of 50 bags per buyer per month and 300 bags per season under its PoS-based monitoring system. These limits should be confirmed against the current operational instructions before relying on them for a particular purchase.
• Farmers should purchase fertilizers from authorized retailers and retain receipts or SMS confirmations as proof of the transaction.
• Overcharging, hoarding, black marketing, diversion of subsidized fertilizers and the sale of substandard products can be reported to the local agriculture department or fertilizer inspector.
• State authorities enforce applicable provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985, to address violations involving fertilizer sale, quality and distribution.

Where to Report a Fertilizer Complaint

• Contact the agriculture officer or fertilizer inspector in your district or block.
• Provide the dealer's name and location, the fertilizer brand and grade, the amount charged, and a copy of the bill or other purchase evidence.
• For policy-related information, consult the Department of Fertilizers.
• For agricultural guidance, farmers can call the Kisan Call Center at 1800-180-1551. For a formal complaint about overcharging or illegal sales, contact the relevant state enforcement authority.

Relevant Links

• Department of Fertilizers – Official Website
• Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Rates – Rabi 2025–26
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Fertilizers
• Kharif 2026 NBS Approval

Contact Information

For queries related to the Fertilizer Subsidy Scheme, fertilizer availability, subsidy policies or fertilizer distribution, farmers can contact the Department of Fertilizers under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

• Kisan Call Center (KCC) at 1800-180-1551.

Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

• Phone: Refer to the current contact directory on the official department website. A general public helpline number could not be verified from the official sources consulted.
• Address: Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi, India.
• For fertilizer-related complaints: Contact the local agriculture department or fertilizer inspector in your district.