Kharif MSP 2026-27: Paddy ₹2,441, Sunflower Up ₹622

Kharif MSP 2026-27: paddy ₹2,441, biggest rise for sunflower seed

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Asked by UPSCPrelims 2020, 20182 PYQs

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

Prelims 2018Consider the following: Areca nut …Solve with answer
Prelims 2020Consider the following statements: In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any…Solve with answer

Battle Brief

The CCEA approved MSP for 14 kharif crops for marketing season 2026-27 on 13 May 2026. Common paddy gets ₹2,441 per quintal, up ₹72. The biggest absolute rise is for sunflower seed (₹622), then cotton (₹557), nigerseed (₹515) and sesamum (₹500). Moong gives the highest margin over cost at 61%; most crops get 50%.

Fact File

Decision: CCEA, 13 May 2026; 14 kharif crops; KMS 2026-27
Paddy (common): ₹2,441 per quintal; up ₹72; cost ₹1,627; margin 50%
Biggest rise: Sunflower seed ₹622; cotton ₹557; nigerseed ₹515; sesamum ₹500
Highest margin: Moong 61%; bajra and maize 56%; tur 54%; rest 50%
Rule: MSP at least 1.5 times all-India weighted average cost (Budget 2018-19)
Smallest rise: Maize, only ₹10

In the news

Kharif MSP for 2026-27: what happened?

MSP is the floor price the government announces before sowing. Each year the kharif list tells farmers what to plant. This year the bigger push is for oilseeds and pulses, not cereals.

Cost used includes paid-out costs plus the imputed value of family labour.
Cost data are not separately compiled for paddy Grade A, jowar Maldandi and long-staple cotton.
Paddy procurement was 8,418 LMT in 2014-15 to 2025-26, against 4,590 LMT in 2004-05 to 2013-14.

Back Story

What is MSP and who recommends it?

MSP is the price at which the government stands ready to buy a crop. It is announced for kharif and rabi crops before sowing, and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
Since the Union Budget 2018-19, MSP is fixed at no less than 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.

By the numbers

What are the key kharif MSPs for 2026-27?

MSP, ₹ per quintal (CCEA, 13 May 2026)
Crop	MSP 2026-27	Rise over 2025-26	Margin over cost
Paddy (common)	2,441	72	50%
Jowar (hybrid)	4,023	324	50%
Bajra	2,900	125	56%
Ragi	5,205	319	50%
Maize	2,410	10	56%
Tur/Arhar	8,450	450	54%
Moong	8,780	12	61%
Sunflower seed	8,343	622	50%
Cotton (medium staple)	8,267	557	50%

Why examiners care

Why does Kharif MSP for 2026-27 matter?

Angle	What to note
Agriculture	Price signal toward oilseeds, pulses and Shree Anna.
Food security	Paddy remains the core procured crop.
Fiscal	MSP paid to paddy growers was ₹16.08 lakh crore over 2014-15 to 2025-26.
Trade	Higher oilseed MSP aims at less edible-oil import dependence.

Fault Lines

What are the challenges in Kharif MSP for 2026-27?

MSP helps only where procurement actually happens.
Paddy still dominates procurement, while the stated push is toward other crops.
A small rise for moong and maize may not change sowing choices.

Road Ahead

What should be done next on Kharif MSP for 2026-27?

Expand procurement of pulses and oilseeds where MSP is announced.
Read MSP with input costs and market prices at harvest.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on Kharif MSP for 2026-27?

Kharif MSP 2026-27 covers 14 crops; paddy common ₹2,441.
Highest absolute rise: sunflower seed ₹622. Highest margin: moong 61%.
MSP floor of 1.5 times cost dates to Budget 2018-19.

Answer Lab

How to write about Kharif MSP for 2026-27 in Mains

Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): MSP is announced for 14 kharif crops, but procurement is concentrated in a few. Discuss the effect on crop diversification.

Intro: 2026-27 kharif MSP facts.
Price signal to oilseeds and pulses.
Procurement skew: paddy figures.
Effect on cropping pattern and water.
Way forward: procurement reach.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Agriculture: cropping, MSP, PDS, food processing, land reforms

As per PIB (2026-05-13): CCEA raised MSPs for 14 kharif crops for 2026-27; common paddy MSP is ₹2,441/quintal (up ₹72).
Higher MSP margins for oilseeds and pulses signal farmers to shift away from cereals.

Quotable data point
Highest absolute increases: sunflower seed ₹622, cotton ₹557, nigerseed ₹515 and sesamum ₹500 per quintal.
PIB: CCEA: Kharif MSP 2026-27, 13 May 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Which body approves MSP for kharif crops?

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB, 13 May 2026: approved by CCEA.

Practice · UPSC

For kharif 2026-27, the highest margin over cost of production is for

Answer (c) & explanation

PIB (CCEA), 13 May 2026: Moong 61%.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is the MSP for common paddy in 2026-27?

₹2,441 per quintal, ₹72 more than in 2025-26.

Which crop got the highest absolute MSP increase?

Sunflower seed, up ₹622 per quintal.

Which crop has the highest margin over cost?

Moong, at 61%.

How many kharif crops are covered?

14 crops.