In a major relief to the farming community, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a subsidy of ₹37,952 crore for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme for the 2025–26 rabi season. The subsidy allocation marks a significant increase of about ₹14,000 crore compared to the previous rabi season’s outlay of around ₹24,000 crore. The revised rates will remain effective from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Under the revised structure, the government has raised subsidies on phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) to offset rising global prices, while keeping the rates for nitrogen (N) and potash (K) unchanged. Phosphate subsidy: Increased to ₹47.96 per kg from ₹43.60 per kg (kharif 2025) Sulphur subsidy: Raised to ₹2.87 per kg from ₹1.77 per kg Nitrogen subsidy: Unchanged at ₹43.02 per kg Potash subsidy: Unchanged at ₹2.38 per kg Announcing the decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the revision aims to ensure adequate supply of key fertilisers such as di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and triple super phosphate (TSP) without any increase in their maximum retail prices (MRPs). Prices of phosphorous and sulphur have risen by up to 10 per cent compared to previous levels, while nitrogen and potash remain stable. The government is absorbing the additional cost to protect farmers from higher input prices. The minister added that the subsidy rates were determined based on factors such as import prices, nutrient requirements, subsidy burden, and domestic market conditions.