India Launches Massive Crackdown on Fertiliser Black Marketing: 3.17 Lakh Raids, 3,645 Licences Cancelled
13 November 2025, New Delhi: In a major nationwide crackdown to protect farmers’ interests and safeguard the national fertiliser supply chain, the Department of Fertilisers (DoF), in close coordination with the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), carried out an extensive enforcement campaign during the Kharif and ongoing Rabi season 2025–26 (April–November). Secretaries of both departments held multiple joint meetings with State Governments to drive coordinated action.
Working closely with State authorities, district officials undertook large-scale raids, inspections and legal measures to curb black marketing, hoarding and adulteration of fertilisers. These strong and proactive steps strengthened market discipline, ensured timely availability, and upheld the integrity of fertiliser distribution across the country.
A total of 3,17,054 inspections and raids were conducted nationwide to monitor the distribution network. This resulted in 5,119 show-cause notices for black marketing, leading to 3,645 licence cancellations or suspensions and 418 FIRs.
Under the anti-hoarding drive, authorities issued 667 show-cause notices, cancelled/suspended 202 licences and registered 37 FIRs. To curb diversion, 2,991 notices were issued, 451 licences cancelled or suspended, and 92 FIRs filed. All enforcement actions were undertaken under the Essential Commodities Act and the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), ensuring strict compliance and accountability.
Several States adopted a holistic, multi-pronged approach. Uttar Pradesh led the campaign with 28,273 inspections, 1,957 notices for black marketing, 2,730 licence cancellations/suspensions, and 157 FIRs. Other States demonstrating strong enforcement included Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat, deploying extensive inspection teams, robust monitoring and swift legal action. Maharashtra alone carried out 42,566 inspections and cancelled over 1,000 licences for diversion-related violations, while Rajasthan conducted 11,253 inspections across categories.
Enforcement teams, in collaboration with State Governments, also acted against substandard fertiliser supplies by issuing 3,544 show-cause notices, cancelling/suspending 1,316 licences, and registering 60 FIRs under strict provisions of the FCO 1985. Regular sampling and rigorous multi-level testing ensured that only quality-compliant fertilisers reached farmers, safeguarding both farmer welfare and supply chain integrity.
State authorities leveraged digital dashboards and coordinated resource deployment for real-time stock monitoring, quick redirection of seized fertiliser to cooperatives, and faster response to farmer complaints.
The Department of Fertilisers has commended the active, sustained vigilance and swift actions of State and district administrations, agriculture officials and enforcement agencies. The Centre has urged farmers, dealers and stakeholders to continue reporting irregularities and support transparent, lawful fertiliser distribution.
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