In response to crop damage caused by unseasonal rains, the Central government of India has relaxed wheat procurement quality standards for Punjab for the 2026-27 marketing season. The new order permits the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to accept wheat with 70% lustre loss and 15% shriveled grains, a significant increase from the previous standard of 6% shriveled grains. This decision aims to enhance procurement rates, as thousands of tonnes of wheat had been left unsold due to strict quality requirements. The government has set a procurement target of over 30 million tonnes for this season. Notably, the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat remains at ₹2,585 per quintal despite these relaxed standards. The FCI's recommendations were influenced by test reports from farmers, and similar relaxations had already been implemented in Haryana and Rajasthan. The move is expected to alleviate the financial burden on farmers and improve the overall procurement process in Punjab, a key contributor to India's wheat supply.