Is chilli (mirchi) farming profitable per acre and what are the main costs?

Chilli can be profitable but it is input heavy and price is volatile, so margins swing year to year. Major costs are seed or seedlings, labour for transplanting and multiple pickings, plant protection which is often the biggest single head because of thrips and viruses, drip and mulch if used, and fertiliser. Dry red chilli gives several pickings and storage flexibility, while green chilli gives quicker cash but needs frequent harvest. Returns depend heavily on yield and the mandi or spice company price at sale time, which can range widely. Do not rely on a fixed profit figure; instead, prepare your own budget with current local input and labour rates and check recent mandi prices on government portals before deciding the area to plant.