Indira Rasoi Yojana — ₹8 Meals for All in Rajasthan (2026)

Indira Rasoi Yojana (इंदिरा रसोई योजना) is Rajasthan's flagship subsidized meal programme that serves a full thali for just ₹8 to anyone who walks in — no ID, no ration card, no questions asked. Launched on 20 August 2020 by the Rajasthan government, the scheme ensures that no person in the state goes hungry.

Key Highlights at a Glance

What Is Indira Rasoi Yojana?

Indira Rasoi Yojana is a food security initiative by the Government of Rajasthan aimed at providing affordable, nutritious meals to the urban and rural poor, daily-wage workers, labourers, migrants, students, and anyone in need. The scheme is named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The government bears the majority of the meal cost. Each plate costs roughly ₹25–30 to prepare, of which the state government subsidizes about ₹17–22, and the diner pays only ₹8.

What's on the Menu?

Every Indira Rasoi thali includes:

• Dal (lentil curry) — protein-rich, freshly cooked
• Rice — steamed white rice
• Roti / Chapati — 2–3 fresh rotis
• Sabzi (vegetable curry) — seasonal vegetables

The meal is purely vegetarian and prepared fresh daily under government-mandated quality and hygiene standards. Menus may vary slightly by centre depending on local ingredients, but the nutritional value and portion size are standardized.

Timings

Indira Rasoi centres operate twice a day:

• 🕣 Lunch: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
• 🕔 Dinner: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Tip: Arrive early during peak hours (12–1 PM for lunch, 7–8 PM for dinner), as popular centres may run out of food before closing time.

Who Can Eat at Indira Rasoi?

Anyone. There are absolutely no eligibility restrictions:

• No Aadhaar card needed
• No ration card needed
• No income proof needed
• No residency requirement — visitors and migrants welcome
• No age or gender restrictions

You simply walk in, pay ₹8, and eat. The scheme is designed to be universal and stigma-free.

How Many Centres Are There?

As of 2026, there are 2,000+ Indira Rasoi centres operational across all 50 districts of Rajasthan. Centres are strategically located near:

• Bus stands and railway stations
• Hospital areas
• Labour mandis (daily-wage worker gathering spots)
• Market areas and industrial zones
• College and university campuses

The government has been steadily expanding the network since launch.

How to Find the Nearest Indira Rasoi Centre

1. Look for the signboard — Centres display prominent blue-and-white "इंदिरा रसोई" boards
2. Ask locals — Auto drivers, shopkeepers near bus stands and hospitals usually know
3. District collectorate — Each district administration maintains a list of centres
4. Rajasthan government website — Check rajasthan.gov.in for official directories
5. Google Maps — Search "Indira Rasoi near me" for geo-tagged locations

How Does the Scheme Work?

The Indira Rasoi model is a public-private partnership:

1. Government role: The Rajasthan government provides the subsidy (roughly ₹17–22 per plate), sets quality standards, conducts inspections, and monitors operations through CCTV and digital reporting.

2. NGO / Trust role: Local NGOs, charitable trusts, and social organizations operate individual centres. They handle daily cooking, serving, and maintenance.

3. Diner's contribution: Each person pays ₹8 per meal — a nominal amount that maintains dignity while keeping food accessible.

4. Quality control: The government mandates:

   • CCTV cameras at every centre
   • Geo-tagged photographs of meals served
   • Regular inspections by food safety officers
   • Minimum quantity and nutritional standards per plate

Budget and Scale

• The Rajasthan government allocates approximately ₹250+ crore annually to the scheme
• Over 1.34 crore meals are served each year across all centres
• Each centre typically serves 200–500 meals per day

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Indira Rasoi only for BPL (Below Poverty Line) families?

No. Anyone can eat at an Indira Rasoi centre regardless of income, caste, religion, or residency status.

Can I eat more than once a day?

Yes, you can have both lunch and dinner. There is no limit on the number of visits.

Is the food safe and hygienic?

Yes. The government enforces strict hygiene standards including mandatory CCTV monitoring, regular inspections, and standardized kitchen protocols.

Are there Indira Rasoi centres in rural areas?

While the scheme initially focused on urban areas, it has been expanded to semi-urban and rural locations across all districts.

What if an Indira Rasoi centre is charging more than ₹8?

This is a violation. You can complain to the district collectorate or call the Rajasthan CM Helpline at 181.

Why Indira Rasoi Matters

For daily-wage workers earning ₹300–500 a day, spending ₹50–100 per meal at a dhaba is a significant expense. Indira Rasoi brings that down to ₹8 — saving families hundreds of rupees monthly while ensuring nutritious food.

The scheme has become a model for other states looking to implement similar subsidized meal programmes.

Last updated: 16 February 2026. Information is based on officially available data from the Government of Rajasthan. For the latest centre locations and operational updates, contact your local district administration.