Central government scheme · Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Food and Public Distribution)
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
Also called PMGKAY
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is run by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It is for households holding a National Food Security Act ration card, including Antyodaya Anna Yojana and priority households. Beneficiaries get free rice, wheat, or coarse grains every month, with Antyodaya families receiving 35 kg per family per month and priority households receiving 5 kg per person per month. To apply, if you do not have a ration card, apply to your state or UT food and civil supplies department, and collect your free monthly ration at any fair price shop.
Written by AI from the official details below.
Who can apply for PMGKAY
- Households holding an NFSA ration card: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) or Priority Household (PHH).
- NFSA covers up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population; each state identifies eligible households and issues ration cards.
- The eldest woman aged 18 or over is the head of the household on the ration card.
PMGKAY benefits
- Antyodaya (AAY) families: 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month, free.
- Priority households: 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month, free.
- Grain is free of cost; the central government pays the full cost.
- Under One Nation One Ration Card you can collect your ration from any fair price shop in India, in your own state or another.
How to apply for PMGKAY
- If you do not have a ration card, apply to your state or UT food and civil supplies department; states identify eligible households and issue NFSA ration cards.
- Collect your free monthly ration at a fair price shop; almost all shops now record sales on electronic point-of-sale (ePoS) machines.
- If you have moved, you can use your existing ration card at any fair price shop under One Nation One Ration Card.
- For complaints, use your state's toll-free helpline or online grievance portal, listed on nfsa.gov.in.
Documents needed for PMGKAY
- NFSA ration card (AAY or PHH)
- Aadhaar seeded to the ration card
Where it applies
Every state and union territory. See what else applies near you
Checked
Checked against the sources below on 16 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you apply.
- Free foodgrains for 81.35 crore beneficiaries for five years: Cabinet decision (29 Nov 2023) · Press Information Bureau
- Department of Food and Public Distribution: Year End Review 2025 · Press Information Bureau
- National Food Security Act, 2013 · Department of Food and Public Distribution
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