Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provides free food grains every month to ration-card families covered under the National Food Security Act — that is over 80 crore beneficiaries. Since January 2024 the free-grain arrangement has been extended for five years, merging the earlier free top-up with regular NFSA entitlements.
Key facts
| Benefit | Free food grains (rice/wheat) every month |
| Quantity | 5 kg per person/month (Priority households); 35 kg per family/month (Antyodaya families) |
| Cost | Fully free — no payment at the ration shop |
| Who | All NFSA ration-card holders (AAY + Priority) |
| Where | Any Fair Price Shop — portable under One Nation One Ration Card |
| Duration | Extended for 5 years from 1 January 2024 |
Who gets what
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families: the poorest households — 35 kg of grain per family per month, free
- Priority Household (PHH) members: 5 kg per person per month, free
- Coverage follows your ration card category printed on the card
How to avail
- Carry your ration card (or registered Aadhaar) to any Fair Price Shop
- Biometric/Aadhaar authentication on the ePoS machine verifies your family
- Collect your free monthly entitlement — no cash is to be paid for NFSA grain
- Migrants can lift rations anywhere in India under One Nation One Ration Card using the same card/Aadhaar
Check your ration card status and entitlement on the official portal.
Common problems and fixes
- Name missing from card: apply for member addition at your state food department office/portal
- e-KYC pending: many states require periodic Aadhaar e-KYC of all members at the ration shop — complete it to avoid suspension
- Dealer charging money: NFSA grain under PMGKAY is free — complain on your state food helpline or 1967
- No ration card: apply on your state food & civil supplies portal; eligibility follows state inclusion criteria
Frequently asked questions
Do I still pay ₹2–3 per kg?
No — since January 2023 the NFSA grain itself is free, continued under PMGKAY for five years from 2024.
Can I get rations in another city?
Yes — One Nation One Ration Card lets any family member lift their share at any FPS in India with Aadhaar authentication.
How do I check my monthly entitlement?
See your state food portal or the ration dealer’s ePoS receipt; the NFSA portal links every state’s transparency dashboard.
Related schemes
Disclaimer: PMYojnaUpdates.com is an independent information portal, not affiliated with any government department. Always verify details on the official site nfsa.gov.in before applying.