By an order dated 16 January 2026, the Central Government, exercising powers under the Essential Commodities Act, amended the existing wheat stock limit regime to extend controls up to 31 March 2026. The revised order prescribes uniform stock limits across all States and Union Territories, fixing ceilings of 2,000 MT for traders and wholesalers, 8 MT per retail outlet for retailers, and up to 8 MT per outlet for big chain retailers subject to an overall cap linked to the number of outlets. For processors, the permissible stock is capped at 60% of monthly installed capacity multiplied by the remaining months till April 2026. All covered entities are mandatorily required to declare and regularly update their wheat stock positions on the designated Department of Food and Public Distribution portal. Where stocks exceed the prescribed limits, entities must reduce holdings within 15 days of the notification. The amendment continues the policy of active stock monitoring to prevent hoarding and ensure market stability.
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(Department of Food and Public Distribution)
ORDER
New Delhi, the 16th January, 2026
S.O. 245(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), the Central Government hereby makes the following amendment in the order of the Government of India in the Department of Food and Public Distribution published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part (II) Section-3, Sub Section(ii) vide S.O. 2359(E) dated 27th May 2025, namely:
In the said Order, Paragraph 2(i) shall be replaced as under:
2 (i) Wheat for a period up to 31st March 2026 with following stock limits for all States and Union Territories:
- Traders/Wholesaler: 2000 MT
- Retailer: 8 MT for each Retail outlet
- Big Chain Retailer: upto 8 MT for each retail outlet subject to maximum quantity of (8 multiplied by total no. of outlets) MT. This will be the maximum stock that can be held at all their retail outlets and depots put together
- Processors: 60% of Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by remaining months till April 2026.
Respective legal entities, as above, shall declare the stocks position on the portal (https://foodstock.dfpd.gov.in) of Department of Food and PD and in case the stocks held by them are higher than the prescribed limits, then they shall bring the same to the prescribed stock limits within 15 days of issue of this notification. It shall be ensured that Wheat stock is regularly declared and updated on the portal of this Department i.e. (https://foodstock.dfpd.gov.in).
[F. No. 3/1/2007 Py-III]
C. SHIKHA, Jt. Secy.
Note : The principal order was published in the Gazette of India, vide Order No. GSR 104 (E), dated 15th February, 2002 and subsequently amended vide Order No. GSR 490 (E) dated 16th June, 2003 and S.O. No. 1373 (E) dated 29th August, 2006, S.O. No. 297 (E) dated the 27th February 2007 and S.O. No. 1488 (E) dated the 31st August, 2007 and S.O.2566(E) dated-12th June 2023 and S.O.4074(E) dated 14.09.2023 and S.O.5292 (E) dated 08.12.2023, S.O. 575(E) dated 08.02.2024, S.O No.2428 (E) dated 24.06.2024, S.O. No.3915 (E) dated 09.09.2024, S.O 5343 (E) No. dated 11.12.2024, S.O. No. 901(E) dated 20.02.2025, S.O. 2359(E) dated 27.05.2025 and S.O. 3926(E) dated 26.08.2025.
