RAS question
Under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme, by how much has India's domestic P&K fertiliser production grown since 2014?
Correct answer: (D) 50%.
India's domestic P&K fertiliser production under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy scheme has grown by 50% since 2014.
Explanation
The answer is 50% because the PIB release on the Nutrient-Based Subsidy scheme states that domestic production of DAP and NPKS fertilisers rose from 112.19 LMT in 2014 to 168.55 LMT in 2025, which is described as an increase of over 50%. This supports the review point in the question: NBS is not only about paying subsidy on nutrients, but also about encouraging domestic P&K output. The rise reflects stronger indigenous manufacturing capacity and reduced reliance on imports, which is why the scheme is linked with availability of essential plant nutrients and self-reliance in the fertiliser sector.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) 25% understates the increase because the PIB figure shows output rising from 112.19 LMT to 168.55 LMT, described as over 50%.
- (B) 75% overstates the growth; the cited PIB release supports an increase of about 50%, not three-fourths.
- (C) 100% would mean production doubled, whereas the cited figures rose from 112.19 LMT to 168.55 LMT, not to about 224 LMT.
Concept
This tests the Indian Economy syllabus area on agricultural subsidies, fertiliser policy, and import dependence. It recurs in RAS because NBS links fiscal policy, farm input pricing, balanced fertilisation, and Atmanirbharta in one current policy theme.