Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

Key facts

Benefit	Free food grains every month — the NFSA price is fully waived
Quantity	5 kg per person per month (Priority Households); 35 kg per household (Antyodaya / AAY)
Covers	About 81.35 crore people across India
Free until	31 December 2028 (extended 5 years from 1 January 2024)
Where to collect	Your linked Fair Price Shop (ration shop)
Implemented by	Department of Food & Public Distribution
Official portal	nfsa.gov.in / dfpd.gov.in
Application window	Open all year — visit Fair Price Shop with Ration Card.

Benefits

Beneficiaries receive 5 kg of free food grains each month, in addition to the subsidized rations provided under the National Food Security Act.

Who can apply

For: landless agriculture labourer, marginal farmer, rural artisan, daily wage worker
poor household
no government employee in family

Eligible applicants include landless agricultural laborers, marginal farmers, rural artisans, and daily wage workers. Households must not have any government employees and should be classified as poor.

Who is not eligible

Households without an NFSA ration card (not on the Antyodaya or Priority Household list)
Families above the State’s NFSA coverage / income criteria

How to apply

To apply, individuals must visit their nearest Fair Price Shop with the required documents.

Visit the nearest Fair Price Shop with your Ration Card.
Provide your Ration Card number or Aadhaar number to the dealer.
If necessary, complete Aadhaar authentication using your fingerprint or iris scan.

Apply on the official website ↗

Documents required

Ration Card
Aadhar Card (if seeded with Ration Card)

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	What to do
The shop is charging money for the grains	Under PMGKAY the grains are free. Report any charge to the State PDS / consumer-affairs helpline or the dealer’s grievance number.
Less than your full entitlement was given	Each member of a Priority Household card gets 5 kg per month. Insist on the full amount and complain to the District Supply Officer if short-changed.
Aadhaar authentication failing at the shop	Get your Aadhaar seeded / updated with the ration card at the ration office; OTP or offline verification is also available.
A family member’s name is missing from the card	Apply to add the member through your State PDS portal or ration office.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the scheme?

Eligibility includes all ration cardholders under the National Food Security Act, particularly those from poor households.

How can I check if I am an NFSA beneficiary?

You can verify your status by visiting the official NFSA website and checking the relevant state portal.

What documents are required to avail the scheme?

Applicants need to present a Ration Card and an Aadhaar Card, if it is linked to the Ration Card.

Is there an application process for this scheme?

There is no formal application process; interested individuals should directly visit a Fair Price Shop.

What types of food grains are provided under this scheme?

The scheme provides 5 kg of food grains, which may include rice or wheat, depending on the state.

Is the ration really free?

Yes. Under PMGKAY the NFSA price is fully subsidised, so eligible cardholders pay nothing for their monthly grains.

How much do I get?

5 kg of food grains per person per month for a Priority Household, or 35 kg per month for an Antyodaya (AAY) household.

Until when is the free ration available?

The free distribution is approved up to 31 December 2028.

My card is from another state — can I get grains here?

Yes. Through One Nation One Ration Card you can collect your entitlement from any Fair Price Shop in India.

Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.