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Among four major decisions taken on Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved a substantial increase in the Minimum Support Prices for 14 Kharif crops for the 2026-27 marketing season. Sunflower Seed saw the highest absolute increase of Rs 622 per quintal, bringing its total MSP to Rs 8,343 per quintal.
This was followed closely by Cotton (Medium Staple), which saw a rise of Rs 557 to reach a new rate of Rs 8,267 per quintal. Other oilseeds also received significant boosts, as Nigerseed increased by Rs 515 to reach a total of Rs 10,052, per quintal while Sesamum went up by Rs 500 to stand at Rs 10,346 per quintal.
Meanwhile, paddy, the staple Kharif cereal, saw a steady increase of Rs 72 per quintal, bringing the MSP for the 'Common' variety to Rs 2,441 and 'Grade A' to Rs 2,461.
According to the government, MSPs for all notified Kharif crops have been fixed at least 50% above the cost of production, in line with the policy announced in 2019.
The government estimates annual procurement of around 824.41 lakh metric tonnes under the Kharif marketing season.
The decision was taken on the basis of recommendations made by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, informed Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The scheme seeks to achieve 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030 and will provide financial incentives for both public and private sector projects.
In his press conference, Vaishnaw said the initiative is expected to support energy security, lower import dependence and create new investment opportunities in the coal and chemical sectors.
It also forms part of India’s broader strategy to move towards cleaner and more efficient energy technologies while utilising domestic resources more effectively.
Coal gasification converts coal into synthetic gas that can be used in fertilisers, chemicals, fuels and power generation.
The project, cleared under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, will cover nearly 108 kilometres in Gujarat and is expected to improve connectivity to the Dholera Special Investment Region, which is being developed as a major industrial and manufacturing hub.
According to the government, the line will support freight and passenger movement, improve logistics efficiency and provide faster connectivity to ports and industrial clusters in the region.
The project is also expected to generate large-scale employment during the construction phase and accelerate economic activity across the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor zone.
The rail corridor will be designed for semi high-speed operations and is expected to significantly reduce travel time while supporting future industrial expansion in Gujarat.
According to the government, the airport upgrade is aimed at improving passenger handling capacity, expanding cargo infrastructure and supporting Nagpur’s strategic position as a logistics and multimodal transport hub.
Officials said the development plan would help accommodate rising passenger traffic, improve regional air connectivity and support industrial growth in central India. The project is also expected to complement the PM Gati Shakti initiative by integrating air, rail and road-based logistics networks more efficiently.
The government believes the airport modernisation will further strengthen Nagpur’s role as a major cargo and connectivity centre, particularly due to its location near the geographical centre of the country.
This was followed closely by Cotton (Medium Staple), which saw a rise of Rs 557 to reach a new rate of Rs 8,267 per quintal. Other oilseeds also received significant boosts, as Nigerseed increased by Rs 515 to reach a total of Rs 10,052, per quintal while Sesamum went up by Rs 500 to stand at Rs 10,346 per quintal.
Meanwhile, paddy, the staple Kharif cereal, saw a steady increase of Rs 72 per quintal, bringing the MSP for the 'Common' variety to Rs 2,441 and 'Grade A' to Rs 2,461.
According to the government, MSPs for all notified Kharif crops have been fixed at least 50% above the cost of production, in line with the policy announced in 2019.
The government estimates annual procurement of around 824.41 lakh metric tonnes under the Kharif marketing season.
The decision was taken on the basis of recommendations made by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, informed Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
| Crop | MSP 2025-26 (₹/q) | MSP 2026-27 (₹/q) | Increase (₹/q) |
| Paddy (Common) | 2,369 | 2,441 | 72 |
| Paddy (Grade A) | 2,389 | 2,461 | 72 |
| Jowar (Hybrid) | 3,699 | 4,023 | 324 |
| Jowar (Maldandi) | 3,749 | 4,073 | 324 |
| Bajra | 2,775 | 2,900 | 125 |
| Ragi | 4,886 | 5,205 | 319 |
| Maize | 2,400 | 2,410 | 10 |
| Tur/Arhar | 8,000 | 8,450 | 450 |
| Moong | 8,768 | 8,780 | 12 |
| Urad | 7,800 | 8,200 | 400 |
| Groundnut | 7,263 | 7,517 | 254 |
| Sunflower Seed | 7,721 | 8,343 | 622 |
| Soybean (Yellow) | 5,328 | 5,708 | 380 |
| Sesamum | 9,846 | 10,346 | 500 |
| Nigerseed | 9,537 | 10,052 | 515 |
| Cotton (Medium Staple) | 7,710 | 8,267 | 557 |
| Cotton (Long Staple) | 8,110 | 8,667 | 557 |
Cabinet approves Rs 37,500 crore coal gasification push
In another major decision, the Cabinet approved a Rs 37,500 crore Coal Gasification Scheme aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imported natural gas, methanol and ammonia while promoting cleaner utilisation of domestic coal reserves.The scheme seeks to achieve 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030 and will provide financial incentives for both public and private sector projects.
In his press conference, Vaishnaw said the initiative is expected to support energy security, lower import dependence and create new investment opportunities in the coal and chemical sectors.
It also forms part of India’s broader strategy to move towards cleaner and more efficient energy technologies while utilising domestic resources more effectively.
Coal gasification converts coal into synthetic gas that can be used in fertilisers, chemicals, fuels and power generation.
Rs 20,665 crore rail corridor approved for Dholera region
The Cabinet also greenlit the construction of the Sarkhej-Dholera semi high-speed double railway line project at an estimated cost of Rs 20,665 crore.The project, cleared under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, will cover nearly 108 kilometres in Gujarat and is expected to improve connectivity to the Dholera Special Investment Region, which is being developed as a major industrial and manufacturing hub.
According to the government, the line will support freight and passenger movement, improve logistics efficiency and provide faster connectivity to ports and industrial clusters in the region.
The project is also expected to generate large-scale employment during the construction phase and accelerate economic activity across the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor zone.
The rail corridor will be designed for semi high-speed operations and is expected to significantly reduce travel time while supporting future industrial expansion in Gujarat.
Nagpur airport to be upgraded under new aviation push
In addition, the Cabinet cleared a policy decision for the upgradation of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur as part of the government’s broader push to strengthen aviation infrastructure in emerging economic centres.According to the government, the airport upgrade is aimed at improving passenger handling capacity, expanding cargo infrastructure and supporting Nagpur’s strategic position as a logistics and multimodal transport hub.
Officials said the development plan would help accommodate rising passenger traffic, improve regional air connectivity and support industrial growth in central India. The project is also expected to complement the PM Gati Shakti initiative by integrating air, rail and road-based logistics networks more efficiently.
The government believes the airport modernisation will further strengthen Nagpur’s role as a major cargo and connectivity centre, particularly due to its location near the geographical centre of the country.
