PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth
पीएम-प्रणाम
States that cut chemical fertilizer consumption below their three-year average keep 50% of the fertilizer subsidy they save — a grant they must spend on farmer welfare, organic and bio-input promotion, and soil-health programmes that benefit every farmer in the state.
- Incentive mechanism
- 50% of fertilizer subsidy saved
- Scheme status
- Active
- Cabinet approval
- 28 June 2023
- Ministry
- Chemicals & Fertilizers (Dept. of Fertilizers)
- Coverage
- All States and UTs
- Grant split
- 65% capex, 30% untied, 5% admin
- FY 2023-24 result
- 14 states reduced 15.14 LMT
- Fertilizers tracked
- Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP
Overview
PM-PRANAM is a Central Sector Scheme approved on 28 June 2023 under the Department of Fertilizers. Unlike most farm schemes, it does not send money to individual farmers. Instead, it rewards State Governments and Union Territories that successfully reduce their consumption of subsidised chemical fertilizers — Urea, DAP, NPK and MOP — compared to the average of the previous three financial years. The incentive is 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved by that state, passed on as a grant.
The grant has a fixed spending rule: 65% must go to capital expenditure — preferably as contributions to Centrally Sponsored Schemes already running in the state — and 30% is untied, available for any activity the state considers appropriate for promoting alternative fertilizers or soil health. The remaining 5% covers administrative costs of implementing the scheme. All of this must ultimately benefit farmers and the agricultural sector in that state.
For a farmer, the benefit is indirect but real. When a state earns a PM-PRANAM grant, it has resources to expand organic and bio-fertilizer distribution, subsidise nano-fertilizer adoption, fund Soil Health Card-based Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) drives, support natural-farming clusters, and invest in micro-irrigation or zero-tillage equipment that reduces fertilizer dependence. The scheme does not replace any direct farmer subsidy — it adds a new funding channel that grows only when chemical fertilizer use actually falls.
In FY 2023-24, the first operational year, 14 states showed a combined reduction of 15.14 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in chemical fertilizer consumption. The scheme covers all States and UTs, with no separate registration or portal — it runs through existing Department of Fertilizers and State Agriculture Department machinery.
Scheme highlights
50% of subsidy saved becomes a state grant
The more a state reduces chemical fertilizer consumption below its 3-year average, the larger the grant it earns — a direct fiscal reward for promoting sustainable farming.
Promotes organic, bio and nano fertilizers
States use the grant to expand distribution of organic fertilizers, bio-fertilizers like Rhizobium and PSB, and nano fertilizers like Nano Urea and Nano DAP — cutting farmer input costs.
Strengthens natural farming and INM
Grant funds support natural-farming clusters (NMNF/PKVY), Soil Health Card-based nutrient management, and resource-conservation technologies like zero tillage.
Micro-irrigation and resource conservation
States can invest the grant in micro-irrigation expansion, drip and sprinkler systems, and precision-agriculture tools that cut fertilizer and water use together.
All States and UTs covered
Every state and UT in India is eligible — the only condition is measurable reduction in chemical fertilizer consumption against the 3-year baseline.
14 states already reduced consumption
In FY 2023-24, 14 states collectively cut chemical fertilizer use by 15.14 lakh metric tonnes — proving the incentive model works at scale.
What you get
State gets 50% of saved fertilizer subsidy
A state that reduces chemical fertilizer use below its 3-year average earns 50% of the subsidy saved as a grant — dedicated to farmer welfare and soil health.
Cheaper organic and bio-inputs for farmers
States use the grant to subsidise or distribute organic fertilizers, bio-fertilizers and nano fertilizers — directly reducing what a farmer spends on inputs.
Healthier soil, lower long-term costs
Reduced chemical fertilizer dependence improves soil biology, organic carbon and water retention — meaning the same land needs less input over time to produce the same yield.
Infrastructure for sustainable farming
65% of the grant goes to capital expenditure — soil-testing labs, bio-input production units, micro-irrigation projects and other infrastructure that serves farmers for years.
Who is eligible
Both lists come from the notified operational guidelines — meeting the left column is not enough if anything in the right column applies to your family.
You qualify if
- Every State Government and Union Territory — PM-PRANAM covers all of India with no opt-in or registration required
- A state earns the grant only if it reduces total chemical fertilizer consumption (Urea + DAP + NPK + MOP) in a given financial year below the average of the previous 3 financial years
- Individual farmers benefit indirectly through state-level programmes funded by the grant — organic/bio-input distribution, natural-farming support, micro-irrigation subsidies and soil-health drives
- Farmers already practising organic, natural or low-chemical farming contribute to the state meeting its reduction target — helping unlock the grant
Excluded — even with land
- Individual farmers cannot apply to PM-PRANAM directly — there is no farmer-level application, portal or registration; the scheme operates between the Central and State Governments
- A state that does not reduce chemical fertilizer consumption below its 3-year average does not earn any incentive — the grant is performance-based, not assured
- The grant cannot be used for recurring revenue expenditure beyond the 5% administrative component — 65% must be capital expenditure and 30% must go to farmer-welfare activities
Where this scheme applies
A central scheme with pan-India coverage — open to eligible farmers in every State and Union Territory.
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — the online form takes ten minutes when nothing is missing.
No farmer-level documents required
PM-PRANAM operates between the Central and State Governments — individual farmers do not apply or submit documents. The benefit reaches farmers through state programmes funded by the grant.
How to apply, step by step
The same six steps apply whether you register yourself online or sit down at a CSC.
- 1
Department of Fertilizers calculates the baseline
The average consumption of Urea, DAP, NPK and MOP over the previous 3 financial years is calculated for each state — this becomes the baseline to beat.
- 2
State promotes alternative inputs and practices
State Agriculture and Horticulture Departments push organic fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, nano fertilizers, natural farming, INM, zero tillage and micro-irrigation to reduce chemical fertilizer dependence.
- 3
Actual consumption is measured
At the end of the financial year, the actual consumption of subsidised chemical fertilizers in the state is compared against the 3-year baseline.
- 4
Grant is released if consumption fell
If the state reduced consumption, it receives 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved. The grant is split: 65% capital expenditure, 30% untied (farmer-welfare activities), 5% administration.
- 5
Farmers benefit through state programmes
The state uses the grant to expand bio-input distribution, subsidise nano fertilizers, fund natural-farming clusters, build soil-testing labs, and invest in micro-irrigation — all of which directly benefit farmers.
Important dates
Cabinet approval
28 June 2023
Central Sector Scheme under Dept. of Fertilizers
First operational year
FY 2023-24
14 states reduced 15.14 LMT consumption
Application deadline
Not applicable
No farmer-level application — scheme operates state-level
Facts last checked
27 September 2026
Against pib.gov.in and fert.nic.in
Check your eligibility
Straight from the notified criteria. Nothing you enter leaves your phone.
0 of 4 answered
This checker applies the criteria in the official operational guidelines, but it is guidance — only the state government’s verification against the land records is final.
Downloads
Official documents only — everything below is hosted on the government's own servers.
PM-PRANAM scheme overview (PIB, March 2026)
Official PIB release detailing the incentive mechanism, grant structure and state-wise performance.
PM-PRANAM launch and sustainable fertilizer use (PIB, May 2026)
PIB release on promoting sustainable fertilizer use and restoring soil health across states.
PM-PRANAM objectives and design (PIB)
Detailed note on the scheme's aims: balanced fertilizer use, alternative inputs, organic and natural farming promotion.
Official links & helpline
Bookmark the portal itself — no third-party site can release, block or speed up a payment.
- Department of Fertilizersfert.nic.in — nodal department for PM-PRANAM, fertilizer policy and subsidy administration
- Ministry of Chemicals & FertilizersParent ministry overseeing the Department of Fertilizers and PM-PRANAM implementation
- Soil Health Card portalGet your Soil Health Card — the foundation for reducing chemical fertilizer use based on actual soil nutrient needs
Frequently asked questions
What is PM-PRANAM?
PM-PRANAM (PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) is a Central Sector Scheme approved on 28 June 2023. It incentivises State Governments and UTs to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) by giving them 50% of the fertilizer subsidy they save — as a grant for farmer-welfare and soil-health activities.
Does PM-PRANAM give money directly to farmers?
No. PM-PRANAM is a state-level incentive scheme. Individual farmers do not receive any payment or subsidy directly under it. The benefit reaches farmers indirectly: states that earn the grant use it to distribute organic and bio-fertilizers, fund natural-farming clusters, subsidise nano fertilizers, expand micro-irrigation, and run Soil Health Card-based nutrient drives.
How does a state earn the PM-PRANAM grant?
A state earns the grant by reducing its total consumption of subsidised chemical fertilizers (Urea + DAP + NPK + MOP) in a financial year below the average of the previous 3 financial years. The grant equals 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved by that reduction.
What must the state spend the grant on?
65% must go to capital expenditure — preferably as state contributions to Centrally Sponsored Schemes. 30% is untied and available for any farmer-welfare activity the state considers appropriate. 5% covers administrative costs.
Which chemical fertilizers does PM-PRANAM track?
Four categories: Urea, Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), NPK complex fertilizers and Muriate of Potash (MOP). Reduction in any or all of these counts towards the state earning the grant.
How many states have reduced fertilizer use so far?
In FY 2023-24, 14 states showed a combined reduction of 15.14 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in chemical fertilizer consumption compared to their 3-year average — proving the incentive model works.
How does this help a farmer practically?
When your state earns the PM-PRANAM grant, it gets extra funds to expand subsidised bio-fertilizer and nano-fertilizer distribution, set up bio-input production units, support organic and natural farming clusters (PKVY, NMNF), build soil-testing labs, and invest in micro-irrigation — all of which lower your input costs and improve your soil over time.
Is PM-PRANAM the same as PKVY or NMNF?
No. PKVY promotes organic farming through farmer clusters, NMNF promotes natural farming through village-level clusters — both give money directly to farmers. PM-PRANAM is a separate scheme that rewards State Governments for reducing overall chemical fertilizer consumption. A state can use its PM-PRANAM grant to fund PKVY or NMNF expansion, but the three are distinct schemes under different departments.
What is the connection between PM-PRANAM and Soil Health Cards?
Soil Health Cards tell farmers exactly which nutrients their soil needs, so they can apply only the fertilizers actually required — often using less chemical input for the same or better yield. When more farmers follow their Soil Health Card recommendations, the state's chemical fertilizer consumption drops, which helps it earn the PM-PRANAM grant.
Is there a separate PM-PRANAM portal?
No. PM-PRANAM does not have a dedicated portal or farmer-registration system. The scheme operates through the Department of Fertilizers (fert.nic.in) and existing state-level agriculture machinery. For related farmer-facing portals, see the Soil Health Card portal (soilhealth.dac.gov.in) and the NMNF portal (naturalfarming.dac.gov.in).
Still have questions?
The FAQs above cover the common ones. For anything about your specific application, the ministry helpline undefined is the authoritative answer — and we are happy to point you in the right direction.