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Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) gives free food grain to every ration card holder covered by the NFSA, the food security law: 5 kg per person each month for priority households and 35 kg per family each month for Antyodaya Anna Yojana households. The ration shop may not charge anything for this grain.
The Union Cabinet extended the free grain for five years, covering about 81.35 crore people, with the full cost borne by the Union government. There is no separate application for PMGKAY. If your family has a valid NFSA ration card, you are already covered.
At a glance
Run by
Department of Food and Public Distribution, with state food departmentsPriority households
5 kg grain per person per month, freeAntyodaya families
35 kg grain per family per month, freeWho is covered
Holders of NFSA ration cards (priority or Antyodaya)Where
Your fair price shop, or any fair price shop in India with portabilityApply
No separate form; get an NFSA ration card from the state food department
How the pradhan mantri garib kalyan anna yojana works now
The scheme began as extra free grain on top of the cheap NFSA ration. Later the two were joined: the NFSA grain itself became free. So today a priority household member gets the same 5 kg as before, but pays nothing instead of a few rupees a kilo.
Which grain you get, rice, wheat, or coarse grains like millets, depends on your state's allocation. Some states also give pulses, oil or sugar from their own budgets, which is separate from PMGKAY.
Entitlement table
| Card type | Free grain | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Priority household (PHH) | 5 kg per person per month | A family of 4 on the card gets 20 kg |
| Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) | 35 kg per family per month | Same 35 kg whatever the family size |
Only members whose names are on the card count. Add a newborn or a new daughter in law to the card at the food office to raise the family's share. Read more about the poorest card type on the Antyodaya Anna Yojana page.
Who qualifies for a ration card
States decide who gets an NFSA card within the numbers the Union government allows them. Usually covered:
- Families below the state's income or deprivation limit, chosen by surveys and state criteria.
- The poorest of the poor, landless labourers, widows and old people without support, primitive tribal groups, and similar families, who are given Antyodaya cards.
New cards are given by the state food department office or its online portal, with Aadhaar of all members, address proof, income details and a photo of the eldest woman, who is named head of the card under the NFSA.
Taking grain from any shop
Under One Nation One Ration Card, a card holder whose card is seeded with Aadhaar can collect the ration at a fair price shop anywhere in India after a fingerprint check. A migrant worker can take part of the family's share in the city while the family takes the rest in the village. Ask the dealer to weigh in front of you and to give a printed receipt from the machine.
Checking your entitlement and records
- Open your state's food department portal or the national food security portal at nfsa.gov.in.
- Look for the ration card details or know your entitlement option.
- Enter the ration card number, and Aadhaar if asked.
- See the member list, monthly entitlement and recent transactions.
If a member's name is missing or a transaction you did not make is shown, complain at once.
Problems at the ration shop
| At the shop | Why | Action to take |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer asks for money | PMGKAY grain carries no price | Refuse and complain to the state food helpline |
| Fingerprint fails | Worn prints in old age | Ask for iris or OTP check, or another card member |
| Less grain weighed | Cheating at the shop | Ask for the receipt and complain with it |
| Card not working | Cancelled after a check, or Aadhaar not seeded | Visit the food supply office with Aadhaar |
Each state has its own food helpline and online complaint form, listed on the state food department site.
Frequently asked questions
How much free ration does pm garib kalyan anna yojana give?
5 kg grain per person per month for priority households, and 35 kg per family per month for Antyodaya households.
How do I apply for garib kalyan anna yojana?
There is no separate form. Get an NFSA ration card from your state food department and you are covered.
Is the grain really free at the shop?
Yes. The NFSA grain is free under the scheme. A dealer who charges for it is breaking the rules.
Can I take ration in another state?
Yes, under One Nation One Ration Card, if your card is seeded with Aadhaar.
How long will the pradhan mantri garib kalyan yojana continue?
The Union Cabinet extended it for five years at its last decision. Check the food and public distribution department's website for any change.
Does PMGKAY give cash?
No. It gives free grain only. The cash parts of the earlier relief package have ended.
Official sources
- PIB: Free foodgrains for 81.35 crore beneficiaries for five yearspib.gov.in
- National Food Security portalnfsa.gov.in
- Department of Food and Public Distributiondfpd.gov.in
Rules, amounts and portals can change. Check the official source before you apply or deposit.