Government subsidies contribute, on average, 10% of a rural household's income in India, according to the Rural Economic Conditions and Sentiments Survey (RECSS) conducted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), a state-owned institution set up to supervise agriculture credit.

The same survey, conducted every two months since September 2024, showed that some households rely on government welfare for over 20% of their income, making it a significant source of livelihood.

The number is significant given that 2025 was a year of good monsoon and low inflation.

The Finance Ministry had allocated 6% of the country's ₹50 lakh crore budget for major subsidies in the financial year ending March 2026.

42.2% of rural households experienced income growth, the most reco

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