Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS)

About this farmer scheme

Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) is the central government scheme that provides subsidy on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers — DAP, MOP, complex fertilizers (NPK), and 23+ other nutrient-based fertilizers (except urea which is under a separate subsidy regime). NBS subsidy is fixed PER NUTRIENT (N, P, K, S) on an annual basis by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. Fertilizer companies sell at MRP fixed by the government and claim NBS subsidy from the centre. This scheme keeps fertilizers affordable for farmers — India's total fertilizer subsidy bill is Rs 1.8+ lakh crore/year (urea + NBS combined). NBS is run by the Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Which farmers qualify

• ✓All farmers across India growing crops requiring P&K fertilizers
• ✓Subsidy is built into MRP — no separate application required
• ✓Aadhaar-based PoS authentication at fertilizer retailer (mandatory since 2017 under DBT for Fertilizer)
• ✓Farmer registration in agriculture department records (varies by state)

Papers to keep ready

Registration walkthrough

1. 1No separate application needed — NBS subsidy is already built into the MRP you pay.
2. 2Buy DAP, MOP, or NPK complex fertilizer from any registered dealer at the government-fixed MRP.
3. 3Authenticate the purchase using your Aadhaar Card at the dealer's PoS (point of sale) machine.
4. 4PoS authentication has been mandatory since 2017 under DBT for Fertilizer.
5. 5If your state uses Agristack, keep your farmer ID and land records linked for tracking.
6. 6The fertilizer company claims the per-nutrient subsidy directly from the Department of Fertilizers, not you.
7. 7Check current per-nutrient subsidy rates and policy updates on fert.nic.in.

Farmer questions we hear most