- Why in news
- On 19 March 2026, the Fisheries Minister told the Rajya Sabha that FIDF has approved 228 projects worth Rs 5559.54 crore, with 68 completed.
- What it is
- FIDF is a Department of Fisheries fund that has run since 2018-19 with a total size of Rs 7522.48 crore. It gives concessional finance, backed by interest subvention, to States, UTs, State entities and other stakeholders. The money builds harbours, landing centres, hatcheries, cold chains and similar facilities.
- Fund size and start
- FIDF has a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore and has been implemented from 2018-19.
- Interest subvention
- The Department gives interest subvention up to 3% a year. Nodal Loaning Entities lend at a rate not lower than 5% a year.
- Who can borrow
- Eligible Entities include State Governments/UTs, State entities and other stakeholders.
- Link with PMMSY
- FIDF is an enabling financial mechanism for infrastructure. PMMSY gives developmental support.
- Start and size
- FIDF has run since 2018-19 with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore.
- Progress
- 228 proposals were approved at Rs 5559.54 crore, with the cost eligible for subvention capped at Rs 4351.86 crore.
- Intended outcomes
- The infrastructure aims to cut post-harvest losses, raise production and productivity, add value and improve marketing.
Don’t confuse with FIDF vs PMMSY: FIDF gives concessional loans with interest subvention for infrastructure. PMMSY gives developmental support for the sector.
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
- Better harbours and cold chains cut post-harvest losses and support fish exports.
- Concessional credit draws State and private investment into fisheries infrastructure.
- Better harbours, cold chains and hatcheries cut post-harvest losses and raise fishers' incomes.
- Cheap credit draws in State governments and private entrepreneurs.
Problems
- Disbursement lags: Rs 1600.56 crore paid against Rs 4212.05 crore sanctioned.
- Only 68 of 228 projects are complete, and approvals are concentrated in a few States.
- Approved projects (Rs 5,559.54 crore) lag the fund size, so uptake and implementation need to speed up.
Way forward
- Speed up loan disbursal and project completion through monitoring.
- Encourage more projects from lagging and north-eastern States.
- Build capacity of States and small entrepreneurs to prepare bankable projects and convert approvals into assets.
Put in your answer
Fish production: Fish production rose from 141.64 lakh tonne in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonne in 2024-25.
Seafood exports: Seafood exports rose from Rs 46,666 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 62,408 crore in 2024-25.
- 2018Mains GS1 · Q15Define blue revolution; explain problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India.
- 2026Prelims Q38Which combination of FAO's Four Betters for Blue Transformation is correct?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) is implemented by the Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
- 2.Under FIDF, the Government of India provides interest subvention of up to 3% per annum on concessional finance given by Nodal Loaning Entities.
- 3.Only State Governments and Union Territories are Eligible Entities under FIDF; State entities and private stakeholders cannot access it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.FIDF is implemented by the Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
True. The Department of Fisheries implements FIDF.
2.Under FIDF, the Government of India provides interest subvention of up to 3% per annum on concessional finance.
True. Interest subvention is up to 3% per annum.
3.Nodal Loaning Entities may lend under FIDF at any rate, as the subvention removes the floor.
False. NLEs must lend at not less than 5% per annum.
4.Only State Governments and Union Territories are Eligible Entities under FIDF; private stakeholders cannot access it.
False. State entities and other stakeholders are also eligible, and private projects have been approved.
5.FIDF funds infrastructure such as fishing harbours, fish landing centres and hatcheries.
True. Harbours, landing centres, hatcheries and cold chains are covered.
6.Fishing harbours account for the largest share of project cost restricted for interest subvention among FIDF activities.
True. Fishing harbours had Rs 3053.04 crore, the highest.
7.The Rs 1600.56 crore disbursed under FIDF equals the total loan sanctioned by NLEs.
False. Sanctioned loans total Rs 4212.05 crore; Rs 1600.56 crore has been disbursed.
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.