PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana — Free Ration Scheme: Free rice and wheat for 80+ crore Indians under the National Food Security Act — 5 kg food grains per person per month at zero cost.Beneficiaries: 80+ Crore. Grain Amount: 5 kg/person/mo. Cost to You: ₹0 (Free). Budget: ₹2+ Lakh Cr/yr.PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provides free food grains — 5 kg of rice/wheat per person per month — to approximately 80 crore Indians covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Initially launched during COVID-19 as an emergency measure, the free grain provision has been made permanent from January 2024.
Active SchemeUpdated: March 2026
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PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana — Free Ration Scheme
Free rice and wheat for 80+ crore Indians under the National Food Security Act — 5 kg food grains per person per month at zero cost
Beneficiaries
80+ Crore
Grain Amount
5 kg/person/mo
Cost to You
₹0 (Free)
Budget
₹2+ Lakh Cr/yr
📖What is PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana — Free Ration Scheme?
PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provides free food grains — 5 kg of rice/wheat per person per month — to approximately 80 crore Indians covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Initially launched during COVID-19 as an emergency measure, the free grain provision has been made permanent from January 2024.
Under NFSA, eligible households are classified as: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households — the poorest of the poor, getting 35 kg per household per month, and Priority Household (PHH) members — getting 5 kg per person per month. Both categories now get grains completely FREE (earlier AAY paid ₹2-3/kg and PHH paid ₹1-3/kg).
To receive free ration, you need a ration card (AAY or PHH/BPL type) with Aadhaar linked. Visit your assigned Fair Price Shop on your designated distribution day. Authenticate with Aadhaar biometric (fingerprint on the ePoS machine) and collect your grain allocation. The shop dealer cannot charge any money — the grains are 100% free.
This is the world's largest food security program, costing the Government of India over ₹2 lakh crore annually. Under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) initiative, beneficiaries can collect their free ration from any Fair Price Shop in India — not just their home state.
✅Eligibility
Who gets itAll NFSA beneficiaries — PHH (Priority Household) and AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) ration card holders
How muchPHH: 5 kg per person per month. AAY: 35 kg per household per month.
Grain typeRice or wheat (depends on state allocation). Some states also provide sugar, salt, and pulses.
Cost₹0 — completely free since January 2024
Where to collectAny Fair Price Shop (ration shop) in India using Aadhaar biometric authentication under ONORC
Documents neededRation card + Aadhaar (linked) + fingerprint verification at ePoS machine
📝How to Apply
1
Check if you have a valid NFSA ration card
Visit nfsa.gov.in → search by name/ration card number. If you don't have one, apply through your state's food department.
2
Ensure Aadhaar is linked to ration card
If not linked, visit your Fair Price Shop or state food department office with Aadhaar + ration card.
3
Visit Fair Price Shop on distribution day
Carry ration card. Verify your identity via Aadhaar fingerprint on the ePoS machine. Collect your free grain allocation.
⚠️Free ration is your RIGHT under NFSA. No Fair Price Shop dealer can charge any money. If anyone demands payment, call the food helpline at 1967 or complain at nfsa.gov.in.
📅Important Dates & Schedule
DistributionMonthly — dates vary by state and Fair Price Shop
Scheme statusPermanent from January 2024 (no end date)
❓Frequently Asked Questions
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NFSA Portal
nfsa.gov.in