★ The government has allocated 300,000 tonnes of rice under the Bharat Rice Scheme for the current year, a quantity considered adequate for the programme. According to a written reply in Parliament, 1.87 million tonnes of rice had been allocated under the Bharat Rice Scheme up to March 31, 2026, of which 1.739 million tonnes were lifted and 1.730 million tonnes were sold.

★ The Maximum Retail Price (MRP) has been fixed at ₹35/kg for 5 kg and 10 kg packs and ₹33/kg for 30 kg packs until October 31, 2026. From November 1, 2026, the MRP will increase to ₹36/kg and ₹34/kg, respectively.

★ The government is also holding record rice stocks. As of July 1, 2026, FCI held 40.3 million tonnes of rice, along with 38.7 million tonnes of unmilled paddy, compared with 37.7 million tonnes of rice and 26.6 million tonnes of paddy a year earlier.

★ The use of FCI rice for ethanol production has increased sharply over the past few years. Rice allocation for ethanol rose from 1.69 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 to 15.15 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, 8.96 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, and about 52 lakh tonnes in 2025-26. During the current Ethanol Supply Year (ESY 2025-26), allocations have already reached 54 lakh tonnes.

★ Under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), FCI is supplying rice to ethanol distilleries at ₹2,320 per quintal, while its average acquisition cost, including MSP, storage, and carrying costs, is around ₹4,013 per quintal for FY27. The OMSS price for ethanol will be revised to ₹2,390 per quintal from November 2026.

★ Despite record government stocks, adequate allocation under the Bharat Rice Scheme, and continued supplies to ethanol producers, there is no pressure on open market rice prices. Instead, prices have strengthened due to below-normal rainfall, growing ★ El Niño concerns, and uncertainty over the upcoming kharif paddy crop. If weather conditions remain unfavourable and production is affected, rice prices are likely to stay firm despite ample government inventories. The market's future direction will largely depend on monsoon performance, kharif production, and government policy decisions.