Sri Vijaya Puram, October 15: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has invited applications from fishermen for subsidies to purchase essential fishing equipment during 2026–27, offering assistance of up to ₹4,300 for motorised boats and ₹2,200 for non-motorised boats under its fisheries support scheme.
The Department of Fisheries is implementing the programme, titled “Supply of Fishing Inputs – Essential Fishery Requisite”, under the Union Territory Plan Scheme. The subsidy rates differ between tribal and non-tribal beneficiaries, with the higher rates reserved for the tribal category.
Under the scheme, non-tribal fishermen can receive 50% of the unit cost, subject to a maximum subsidy of ₹1,500 per non-motorised fishing boat and ₹3,000 per motorised boat. Tribal beneficiaries can receive 75% of the unit cost, capped at ₹2,200 for a non-motorised boat and ₹4,300 for a motorised boat.
Eligible applicants must be bona fide fishermen or members of the tribal community in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They must possess a registered motorised or non-motorised fishing craft and hold a valid fishing licence for two consecutive years, including the current year.
The department has opened the application process to eligible fishermen in both municipal and tribal areas. Applicants must submit their completed forms to the nearest Fisheries Zonal Office or Fisheries Sub-Station by October 30, 2026.
Application forms and the detailed terms and conditions are available through the Directorate of Fisheries, the zonal fisheries offices in North and Middle Andaman, South Andaman and Nicobar, and the nearest Fisheries Sub-Stations.
Applicants can also download the prescribed form from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration’s official fisheries website at https://anifisheries.andamannicobar.gov.in.
The scheme provides financial assistance towards the procurement of essential fishing inputs, with the applicable subsidy determined by the beneficiary category and the type of fishing boat. Applicants must meet the prescribed eligibility requirements and submit their applications within the deadline to be considered for assistance.
