UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Supporting Balanced Fertilization: Nutrient-Based Subsidy Rates for Rabi 2025-26

Question 1

For the Rabi 2025-26 season, the revised Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates approved by the Cabinet cover how many grades of Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizers?

Accepted Answer

28 grades

Answer

12 grades

Answer

21 grades

Answer

35 grades

Question 2

Consider the following bodies in relation to the fixing and approval of NBS rates for P&K fertilizers:
1. Department of Fertilizers
2. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
3. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
4. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly associated with the fixing/approval of NBS rates?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

3 only

Answer

2 and 4

Question 3

Which one of the following operationalises the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme and moves the proposal for fixing NBS rates on P&K fertilizers?

Accepted Answer

Department of Fertilizers

Answer

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Answer

Department of Food and Public Distribution

Answer

Department of Rural Development

Question 4

The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for Phosphatic & Potassic fertilizers was introduced with effect from which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

1 April 2010

Answer

1 April 2008

Answer

1 April 2012

Answer

1 April 2015

Question 5

In the context of the NBS scheme, the 'decontrol' of the Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizer sector is best described as which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Fertilizer companies fix the Maximum Retail Price while the Government pays a fixed nutrient-content-based subsidy

Answer

The Government fixes both the Maximum Retail Price and the subsidy, and companies merely distribute the fertilizer

Answer

Both the price and the subsidy are left entirely to market forces with no Government payment

Answer

Companies receive an ad-valorem subsidy on the import value with the retail price fixed statutorily by the Government

Question 6

With reference to the NBS rates approved for the Rabi 2025-26 season, consider the following statements:
1. The tentative budgetary requirement is about ₹37,952.29 crore.
2. This requirement is about ₹736 crore higher than that for Kharif 2025.
3. The subsidy on DAP is fixed at ₹29,805 per metric tonne.
4. The rates are effective for the period April to September 2025.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 4 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 7

Among the P&K fertilizers, which one carries the highest per-metric-tonne subsidy fixed for the Rabi 2025-26 season?

Accepted Answer

Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)

Answer

Muriate of Potash (MOP)

Answer

Single Super Phosphate (SSP)

Answer

Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (MAP)

Question 8

In the context of the enhanced fertilizer subsidy, Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) is best described as which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

A phosphatic fertilizer that also supplies nitrogen, covered under NBS

Answer

A purely potassic fertilizer supplying only potash, kept outside NBS

Answer

A nitrogenous fertilizer identical to urea and under statutory price control

Answer

A micronutrient fortifier supplying only sulphur and zinc

Question 9

The special packages on DAP, provided over and above the NBS subsidy rates to keep DAP affordable to farmers, are extended by a department functioning under which Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

Answer

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Answer

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Answer

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Question 10

Comparing the Rabi 2025-26 NBS revision with the preceding periods, consider the following statements:
1. The DAP subsidy for Rabi 2025-26 (₹29,805/MT) is higher than the ₹21,911/MT fixed for Rabi 2024-25.
2. The budgetary requirement for Rabi 2025-26 is higher than that for Kharif 2025.
3. Urea was brought under the NBS scheme for the first time in Rabi 2025-26.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 11

The NBS rates, revised bi-annually in view of international prices of raw materials such as rock phosphate, ammonia and sulphur, receive their final approval from which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)

Answer

NITI Aayog

Answer

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)

Answer

Fertilizer Association of India (FAI)

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Supporting Balanced Fertilization: Nutrient-Based Subsidy Rates for Rabi 2025-26

Q1. For the Rabi 2025-26 season, the revised Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates approved by the Cabinet cover how many grades of Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizers?

Q3. Which one of the following operationalises the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme and moves the proposal for fixing NBS rates on P&K fertilizers?

Q4. The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for Phosphatic & Potassic fertilizers was introduced with effect from which one of the following?

Q5. In the context of the NBS scheme, the 'decontrol' of the Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizer sector is best described as which one of the following?

Q7. Among the P&K fertilizers, which one carries the highest per-metric-tonne subsidy fixed for the Rabi 2025-26 season?

Q8. In the context of the enhanced fertilizer subsidy, Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) is best described as which one of the following?

Q9. The special packages on DAP, provided over and above the NBS subsidy rates to keep DAP affordable to farmers, are extended by a department functioning under which Union Ministry?

Q11. The NBS rates, revised bi-annually in view of international prices of raw materials such as rock phosphate, ammonia and sulphur, receive their final approval from which one of the following?