In a significant announcement made on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the Indian government confirmed a 6.59% increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat. This rise sets the new MSP at ₹2,585 per quintal for the upcoming 2026-27 marketing year, providing a substantial boost for wheat cultivators.
The decision was finalized during a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister. This marks a notable adjustment from the previous year’s wheat MSP, which stood at ₹2,425 per quintal for the 2025-26 marketing year.
Wheat stands as the primary rabi (winter) crop in India, with its sowing season typically commencing in late October and harvesting following from March onwards. Beyond wheat, other key rabi crops include jowar, barley, gram, and lentil, all crucial to the nation’s food security.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing the media after the Cabinet deliberations, highlighted that the Cabinet had approved the MSPs for a total of six rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing year, with wheat’s revised price being a central focus. He further elaborated that these MSPs were determined based on the expert recommendations provided by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
The wheat marketing year 2026-27 is slated to begin in April, though the majority of procurement activities are usually concluded by June. Looking ahead, the government has set an ambitious target for wheat production at 119 million tonnes for the 2025-26 crop year (July-June). This target reflects a projected increase from the estimated record output of 117.5 million tonnes achieved in the 2024-25 crop year, signaling robust growth and support for the agricultural sector.