- Why in news
- On 13 April 2026, PIB released a explainer on e-NAM, reporting 1,656 mandis integrated and cumulative trade of ₹4.84 lakh crore by March 2026.
- What it is
- e-NAM is a pan-India electronic trading platform for agricultural commodities. It links existing APMC mandis into one national market to enable online trading and transparent price discovery. It was launched in April 2016 to overcome weak inter-state market integration.
- Launch
- Launched in April 2016 as a pan-India electronic trading platform linking mandis.
- Coverage
- 1,656 mandis in 23 States and 4 UTs by March 2026, up from 1,389 in 2024.
- Infrastructure aid
- Government gives up to ₹75 lakh per mandi for infrastructure to integrate with e-NAM.
- Platform of Platforms
- PoP was introduced on 14 July 2022 and offers logistics, warehousing, inputs, finance and advisory services through the app.
- e-NWR link
- e-NWR, issued under the Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007 for WDRA-accredited warehouses, is integrated with e-NAM.
- Payments
- Sale proceeds go directly to farmers' bank accounts through NEFT, RTGS, internet banking and UPI.
Don’t confuse with e-NAM vs APMC: APMC mandis are State-regulated physical markets; e-NAM is a central electronic platform linking them.
Don’t confuse with NWR vs e-NWR: NWR is the traditional paper receipt; e-NWR is its electronic form, with WDRA-accredited warehouses.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Unified online market widens buyer choice and improves price discovery for farmers.
- Direct digital payments cut intermediaries and promote financial inclusion.
Problems
- Marketing is a State subject, so mandi rules and fees differ across States.
- Limited assaying facilities and digital access constrain inter-state trade.
Way forward
- Harmonise State APMC rules and adopt a single trading licence widely.
- Expand assaying labs, warehousing and e-NWR links for small farmers and FPOs.
Put in your answer
e-NWR integration: Storing produce in WDRA warehouses lets farmers sell on e-NAM, cut logistics costs and avoid distress sales.
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q4Explain inefficiency factors in agri-produce marketing and how e-commerce reduces them.
- 2023Mains GS3 · Q3How e-technology helps farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce.
- 2014Mains GS3 · Q3Critically examine whether APMCs impeded agriculture and caused food inflation.
- 2025Prelims Q66Which 15th Finance Commission recommendations on States, including agricultural reforms incentive, are correct.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
With reference to the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), consider the following statements: 1. It was launched in April 2016 as a pan-India electronic trading platform that links existing mandis. 2. It replaces the existing APMC mandis with a new set of private electronic markets. 3. The Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt integrated with it was introduced under the Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007. 4. The Platform of Platforms was introduced on the e-NAM mobile application in October 2016.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.e-NAM was launched in April 2016 as a pan-India electronic trading platform for agricultural commodities.
True. Launched April 2016.
2.e-NAM replaces the APMC mandis with a new set of private electronic markets.
False. e-NAM digitally integrates existing mandis; it does not replace them.
3.The Government provides financial assistance of up to ₹75 lakh per mandi for infrastructure under e-NAM.
True. Up to ₹75 lakh per mandi.
4.By March 2026, e-NAM mandis were spread across 23 States and 4 Union Territories.
True. 23 States and 4 UTs.
5.The e-NWR system integrated with e-NAM was introduced under the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act.
False. It was introduced under the Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007.
6.e-NWRs can be used as collateral to obtain institutional credit.
True. e-NWRs can serve as collateral for credit.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.