The Union Cabinet approved the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the Rabi season of 2025-26 (October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026), continuing the government's commitment to affordable fertiliser access for Indian farmers. The total budget for NBS for the Rabi 2025-26 season has been approved at ₹37,952.29 crore. Under the NBS scheme, subsidies are fixed per kilogram of nutrients — Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and Sulphur (S) — rather than per bag, making the system more transparent and nutrient-oriented. For Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), which is the most widely used phosphatic fertiliser in India, the subsidy has been set at ₹29,805 per metric tonne (MT). This helps maintain DAP prices at accessible levels for farmers despite volatile international prices driven by global supply disruptions. A major highlight in the government's review of fertiliser sector progress is that domestic Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertiliser production has increased by 50% since 2014. This growth reflects increased investment in domestic production capacity, reduced import dependence, and growth in the MSME fertiliser sector. The NBS scheme was introduced in 2010 to rationalise fertiliser subsidies and promote balanced nutrient use. It covers all P&K fertilisers including DAP, Muriate of Potash (MOP), Single Super Phosphate (SSP), and complex fertilisers. The scheme does not cover urea, which has its own pricing regime. The approval ensures supply chain stability for the Rabi season, covering sowing of crops like wheat, mustard, pulses, and vegetables across India.