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Paddy MSP 2026-27, ₹2,441 for common paddy: what a short weight costs
Common paddy sold at the 2026-27 paddy MSP of ₹2,441 a quintal is worth ₹24.41 a kilogram [10, 2]. A scale that weighs 1 kg short in every quintal takes ₹1,220.50 off a 50 quintal lot. Before your first sack goes on the platform, check the scale’s stamp, its zero and the weight slip.
Government buying of paddy in eastern Uttar Pradesh was scheduled to run from 1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027, UNI reported on 9 October 2026 [1]. Amar Ujala reported on 12 October 2026 that 165 purchase centres were proposed for the Vindhyachal division for the 1 November start: 65 in Mirzapur, 72 in Sonbhadra and 28 in Bhadohi, and that the Mirzapur count could still change [3]. In western Uttar Pradesh the season was scheduled to run from 12 October 2026 to 15 February 2027, according to UNI [1].
What is the paddy MSP for 2026-27?
The minimum support price for 2026-27 is ₹2,441 a quintal for common paddy [10, 2] and ₹2,461 a quintal for Grade A paddy [10, 2, 4]. The Union Cabinet approved the kharif rates on 13 May 2026 [10, 2, 4]. The common paddy rate is ₹72 a quintal more than in 2025-26 [10, 2]. A quintal is 100 kg, so a kilogram of common paddy is worth ₹24.41 and a kilogram of Grade A paddy ₹24.61.
How much does a short weight cost on a paddy lot?
Multiply the shortfall in each quintal by the number of quintals you sell, then by the price of one kilogram.
Money lost = kg short in each quintal × quintals sold × ₹24.41
| Short in each quintal | Paddy lost on 50 quintals | Money lost at ₹2,441 a quintal |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 kg | 25 kg | ₹610.25 |
| 1 kg | 50 kg | ₹1,220.50 |
| 2 kg | 100 kg | ₹2,441 |
| 5 kg | 250 kg | ₹6,102.50 |
The table is a worked example for a 50 quintal lot, which is 5 tonnes. For Grade A paddy, use ₹24.61 a kilogram: 1 kg short in each quintal of a 50 quintal lot then costs ₹1,230.50.
How much paddy goes unpaid if the sack deduction is too high?
When paddy is weighed in sacks, the weight of the empty sack comes off the reading. If the deduction for each sack is more than the empty sack weighs, the extra is paddy you are not paid for. Take a lot of 125 sacks with a deduction 100 g too high on each: 12.5 kg goes unpaid, about ₹305 at ₹24.41 a kilogram. Check 4 in the list below gives an estimate of the average empty-sack weight.
How do you check the scale at the purchase centre?
Section 24 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 says a weight or measure used in a transaction must be verified before it is put to that use [5]. A scale that weighs paddy for payment at a purchase centre is used in a transaction, so it must be verified and stamped [5, 6]. Our post on government stamping explains how the stamp works. At the centre, run these five checks:
- Find the Legal Metrology stamp on the scale and ask to see its verification certificate. Question 38 of the Delhi Department of Weights and Measures FAQs says the certificate gives the date of verification, the next due date, the type and class of the scale and its maximum permissible error [6]. Check that the details match the scale and that the next due date has not passed. If no error limit is shown, ask the Legal Metrology officer for it.
- With the platform empty, the display should read 0. If it shows any other number, ask the operator to zero the scale before your first sack goes on.
- If the centre keeps a stamped test weight, ask for it to be put on the empty platform. The reading for a 20 kg weight should fall within the scale’s permissible error at that load; when Legal Metrology verifies a scale, it tests the scale at different points across its range against permissible error limits [11]. This checks the scale at 20 kg only. Ask the local Legal Metrology officer for the permissible error at that load.
- Weigh 10 empty sacks of the same type and condition as those in use, together on a stamped scale suited to that small load, and divide by 10. The result is an estimate of the average empty-sack weight, to compare with the deduction on your slip.
- Note the reading for each sack, or the running total after every 10 sacks, and match it with the weight slip before you sign.
Which HSCo scale fits a paddy purchase centre?
Hindustan Scale Company (HSCo) supplies the platform scales and test weights that a purchase centre or a rice mill gate uses for sacks of paddy. The two scales below are stamped by the Legal Metrology department, as their product pages state [7, 8].
PLCHQB platform scale: weighs up to 500 kg or 1,000 kg on a full-size MS chequered plate, in steps of 50 g or 100 g, with a jumbo green display in front for the operator and a big green display at the back for the customer [7].- PLCHQW platform scale on wheels: 50 kg to 500 kg models with handles and lockable caster wheels, so it can be pushed to the heap and locked in place to weigh [8].
- 20 kg cast iron test weight: class M1, a rectangular block with a built-in handle, for checking and calibrating platform scales and weighbridges [9].
More scales for farms, mandis and grain stores are on our weighing scales for agriculture page. Tell us how many sacks you weigh in a day and the heaviest sack: call +91-7045922250 or write to hsc@hindustanscale.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the paddy MSP for 2026-27?
The paddy MSP for 2026-27 is ₹2,441 a quintal for common paddy [10, 2] and ₹2,461 a quintal for Grade A paddy [10, 2, 4]. The Union Cabinet approved these kharif rates on 13 May 2026 [10, 2, 4]. One kilogram of common paddy is worth ₹24.41 at ₹2,441 a quintal, and one kilogram of Grade A paddy is worth ₹24.61 at ₹2,461 a quintal.
How much money is lost if paddy is weighed 1 kg short per quintal?
At the 2026-27 MSP of ₹2,441 a quintal, paddy weighed 1 kg short in every quintal loses ₹24.41 a quintal [10, 2]. On a 50 quintal lot that is 50 kg of paddy and ₹1,220.50. On a 100 quintal lot it is 100 kg of paddy and ₹2,441.
Can a paddy purchase centre use an unstamped weighing scale?
No. Section 24 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 requires a weight or measure used in a transaction to be verified before it is put to use [5]. A paddy purchase centre weighs paddy for payment, which is a transaction, so the scale it uses for that weighing must be verified and carry a valid stamp [5, 6].
What does a weighing scale’s verification certificate show?
Question 38 of the Delhi Department of Weights and Measures FAQs says a weighing scale’s verification certificate gives the date of verification or stamping, the next due date, the type and class of the scale and its maximum permissible error [6]. Check that the certificate matches the scale and that its next due date has not passed, and ask the Legal Metrology officer for the error limit if none is shown.
Sources
- UNI, “Paddy procurement to begin in Western UP from Oct 12, Eastern region from Nov 1” (uniindia.com, 9 October 2026).
- PTI, via DT Next, “Govt hikes paddy MSP by Rs 72 to Rs 2,441/qtl; sunflower seed sees steepest rise at Rs 622” (dtnext.in, 13 May 2026).
- Amar Ujala, “Paddy procurement at 165 purchase centres in the division from November 1 (Mirzapur, in Hindi)” (amarujala.com, 12 October 2026). Headline translated from Hindi.
- News On AIR, Prasar Bharati, “Cabinet approves MSP increase for 14 kharif crops for marketing season 2026-27 (in Hindi)” (newsonair.gov.in, 13 May 2026). Headline translated from Hindi.
- India Code, Government of India, “The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, section 24” (indiacode.nic.in). Act 1 of 2010 on India Code; section 24. Section 24 text checked against a copy of the India Code PDF; no link given.
- Department of Weights and Measures, Government of NCT of Delhi, “Frequently asked questions” (weightnmeasures.delhi.gov.in). Questions 23 and 38.
- Hindustan Scale Company, “PLCHQB Platform Scale – Chequered MS Plate, 500 / 1,000 kg, Dual Display” (hindustanscale.com).
- Hindustan Scale Company, “Platform Scale on Wheels 50-500 kg, Chequered | HSCo PLCHQW” (hindustanscale.com).
- Hindustan Scale Company, “20 kg Cast Iron Weight, Class M1 Test Weight” (hindustanscale.com).
- Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, “Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2026-27” (pib.gov.in, 13 May 2026).
- Legal Metrology Department, Government of Kerala, “Verification of Weights and Measures” (lmd.kerala.gov.in).