Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
A central government scheme that provides 5 kg of free food grain per person per month to poor households holding ration cards under the National Food Security Act — in addition to the already-subsidized PDS ration. It was launched as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package to support migrants and the poor during economic hardship. Eligible beneficiaries simply visit any Fair Price Shop with their ration card or Aadhaar number to collect their free grain — no separate application required.
About This Scheme
A central government scheme that provides 5 kg of free food grain per person per month to poor households holding ration cards under the National Food Security Act — in addition to the already-subsidized PDS ration. It was launched as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package to support migrants and the poor during economic hardship. Eligible beneficiaries simply visit any Fair Price Shop with their ration card or Aadhaar number to collect their free grain — no separate application required.
Full official description
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) is a scheme as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to supply free food grains to migrants and poor. Phase-I and Phase-II of this scheme were operational from April to June, 2020 and July to November, 2020 respectively. Phase III of the scheme was operational from May to June, 202
- Phase-IV of the scheme during July-November, 2021 and Phase V from December 2021 till March, 2022 . Under this scheme, the center provides 5kg of free food grains per month to the poor. This is in addition to the subsidized (Rs 2-3 per kg) ration provided under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to families covered under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The food grain and the amount may be variable.
Phase VI:
The PMGKAY scheme for Phase VI from April-September, 2022 would entail an estimated additional food subsidy of Rs. 80,000 Crore.
Note:
Check One Nation One Ration Card Scheme which provides an option to all eligible ration cardholders or beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 for accessing their entitlements from anywhere in India.
Benefits
- 5 kg free food grain (wheat or rice) per person per month
- In addition to the subsidized PDS ration already available at ₹2–3/kg under NFSA — effectively doubling food support
- Wheat distributed in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Gujarat; rice in remaining states
- No paperwork at the shop — just visit any Fair Price Shop with your ration card or Aadhaar number
- Can be combined with One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) to collect rations from any Fair Price Shop anywhere in India
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must hold a ration card under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) or Priority Household (PHH) category under the National Food Security Act, 2013
- AAY-eligible groups include: households headed by widows, terminally ill or disabled persons aged 60+, primitive tribal households, landless agricultural labourers, and urban poor workers (rickshaw pullers, cobblers, rag pickers, etc.)
- BPL families of HIV-positive persons are also eligible
- State and UT governments identify Priority Household (PHH) beneficiaries based on their own criteria
- No separate application required — entitlement flows through existing ration card
How to Apply
Interested persons shall visit the nearest Fair Price Shop with the Ration Card:
- Beneficiaries can quote either their ration card number or the Aadhaar number to any Fair Price Shop dealer across the country.
- Beneficiaries can undergo Aadhaar authentication by using their fingerprints or iris-based identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are eligible for the scheme?
This scheme can be availed by to all eligible ration cardholders or beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
How do I know if I am NFSA Beneficiary?
You can check on https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/ration_card_state_portals_aad
How Do I avail the Scheme? Is there any application process?
Interested person shall visit nearest Fair Price Shop with Ration Card
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Ration Card
- Aadhar Card (if seeded with Ration Card)