PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (Free Ration)

Ministry of Food & Consumer Affairs

Free food grain scheme providing 5 kg rice/wheat per person per month to 80 crore NFSA beneficiaries across India.

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Overview & About

Free food grain scheme providing 5 kg rice/wheat per person per month to 80 crore NFSA beneficiaries across India.

PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was launched in April 2020 during COVID-19 to provide additional free food grains over and above the NFSA entitlement. From January 2023, it was merged with NFSA — making the entire 5 kg/person/month entitlement completely FREE (earlier beneficiaries paid ₹1–3/kg). This benefits 80 crore people across India.

⚡ Key Facts

Authority Central Government

Beneficiaries 80 crore people

Entitlement 5 kg free/person/month

Cost Free (₹0)

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Benefits

5 kg free rice or wheat per person per month
Additional to state supplementary rations
Available at all Fair Price Shops (PDS)
Biometric/Aadhaar-authenticated distribution
Portability: collect from any FPS in India (One Nation One Ration Card)

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Eligibility Criteria

All National Food Security Act (NFSA) ration card holders
About 80 crore beneficiaries across India
Priority Households (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards
Aadhaar must be linked to ration card

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Required Documents

NFSA ration card (priority or Antyodaya), Aadhaar linked to ration card

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How to Apply

No separate application needed

Automatic for all NFSA/PHH/AAY ration card holders

Visit Fair Price Shop on allotted date

Biometric authentication

Collect 5 kg free food grain per member

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this scheme permanent or temporary? ▾

From January 2023, free food grains under PMGKAY have been made permanent by merging with NFSA. All NFSA beneficiaries now get their full entitlement free of cost.

What is One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)? ▾

ONORC allows NFSA beneficiaries to collect their free ration from any Fair Price Shop anywhere in India — useful for migrant workers far from home.

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