The government has hiked Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing season. A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yesterday. The sharpest hike has been announced for safflower, with an increase of 600 rupees per quintal, followed by lentil (masur) at 300 rupees per quintal. The MSP of rapeseed and mustard has been raised by 250 rupees per quintal, gram by 225 rupees per quintal, barley by 170 rupees per quintal, and wheat by 160 rupees per quintal.
Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the revised MSPs will not only provide farmers with remunerative returns but also encourage crop diversification, contributing to greater resilience in India’s agricultural economy.
The Union Cabinet approved the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, a landmark initiative aimed at boosting domestic production and achieving self-sufficiency in pulses. The Mission will be implemented over a six-year period, from 2025-26 to 2030-31, with a financial outlay of 11 thousand 440 crore rupees. Mr Vaishnaw said, Pulses Mission will drive production to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31. He said it will benefit two crore farmers through improved seeds, post-harvest infrastructure and assured procurement. The Minister said that emphasis will be placed on developing and disseminating the latest varieties of pulses which are high in productivity, pest-resistant and climate-resilient.
The Union Cabinet also approved a Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and a Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners by three per cent. Mr Vaishnaw said that this will benefit about 49.2 lakh Central Government employees and 68.7 lakh pensioners. He said that this will be effective from 1st July this year.
The CCEA also approved the opening of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country with an outlay of more than five thousand 862 crore rupees. Mr Vaishnaw said that 20 Kendriya Vidyalayas will be opened in those districts where no Kendriya Vidyalayas exist. He said, 14 Kendriya Vidyalayas are proposed to be opened in Aspirational districts, four in Left Wing Extremism districts and five in the North East region and Hilly areas. The Minister said that this will benefit 87 thousand students, and four thousand six hundred additional posts of teachers will be created.
