PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana — Free Ration for 80 Crore

What is PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana?

PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) is the Government of India's free food grain scheme that provides 5 kg of rice/wheat/millets per person per month at zero cost to all beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.

Originally launched in April 2020 as a COVID relief measure, PMGKAY was merged with the NFSA free ration scheme from January 2024 — making free food grains a permanent entitlement for all 80 crore (800 million) ration card holders in India.

Who benefits: Any person listed on a valid Ration Card (PHH — Priority Household or AAY — Antyodaya Anna Yojana) under the National Food Security Act.

What Do You Get?

Grains available: Rice, wheat, and millets (based on state allocation). The type of grain depends on what your state allocates from the central pool.

This is in addition to any subsidised grains your state government provides (many states like Tamil Nadu, AP, Telangana, Karnataka give additional grain at state government cost).

Who is Eligible?

You are eligible if you have a valid NFSA ration card — either PHH (Priority Household) or AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) card.

How to know if you're NFSA covered:

• Your ration card will be labelled "NFSA" or you'll have a "Priority" card (not just APL/Above Poverty Line)
• You can check at your state's food department portal or the ration shop itself

If you don't have a ration card: You need to apply for a new ration card. The free grain scheme only covers existing NFSA card holders — BPL and APL card holders not under NFSA do NOT get this.

How to Get Free Ration

1. Visit your Fair Price Shop (Ration Shop) — the government-authorised ration dealer in your area
2. Present your ration card (physical or digital via mera ration app)
3. Aadhaar verification — biometric authentication or OTP (your Aadhaar must be linked to your ration card)
4. Collect grain — 5 kg per member of your family, free of cost

Monthly collection: Grains are allocated monthly. You can collect the current month's quota any day during that month. Uncollected quota generally does not carry over.

One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)

If you are a migrant worker or have moved to another state, you can use your ration card anywhere in India under the One Nation One Ration Card scheme.

How to use ONORC:

1. Visit any Fair Price Shop in the state you are currently living in
2. Tell the dealer you want to use your ration card from another state
3. Provide your Aadhaar for biometric verification
4. Collect your entitlement (5 kg per family member)

Mera Ration App: Download from Play Store → login with Aadhaar → see your entitlement and find nearby ration shops in any state. mera.ration.gov.in

How to Apply for a New Ration Card (If You Don't Have One)

Note: New NFSA ration cards are issued based on the state government's quota allocation. Each state has a fixed number of NFSA beneficiaries allowed by the Centre.

1. Go to your state's food department portal (e.g., nfsa.up.gov.in for UP, rcms.ap.gov.in for AP)
2. Click "New Ration Card Application"
3. Fill family details, address, income proof
4. Upload: Aadhaar, address proof, family photo
5. Submit and get acknowledgement number
6. The application is verified by the local food inspector/tehsildar
7. If approved, a new NFSA card is issued and linked to your Aadhaar

Alternatively: Visit your local ration shop or tehsil/block office with documents.

How to Add/Remove Members from Ration Card

Add a new member (new born baby, newly married):

• Visit the ration shop or online state portal
• Submit Aadhaar of new member, birth certificate (for baby), marriage certificate (for spouse)
• Member added after verification

Remove a member (death, moved out):

• Submit death certificate / deletion request at the ration shop
• Member removed and quota adjusted

Aadhaar Linking with Ration Card (Mandatory)

Your Aadhaar must be linked to your ration card for biometric authentication at the ration shop. Without Aadhaar linking, you may face difficulties collecting rations.

How to link:

1. Visit your Fair Price Shop with Aadhaar card
2. The shop operator can do the linking on the ePoS machine
3. OR visit your state food department office
4. OR check your state's food portal for online Aadhaar seeding option

Check Ration Card Status and Details

• National portal: nfsa.gov.in → "Ration Card Details"
• State portals: Each state has its own ration card management system (RCMS)
• ONORC check: impds.nic.in → check transactions in any state

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PMGKAY the same as the regular PDS ration?

From January 2024, PMGKAY merged with NFSA — so yes, the 5 kg free grain is now part of the regular PDS. You don't need to claim separately.

Can a family get ration if they are temporarily in a different city?

Yes — One Nation One Ration Card allows you to collect ration from any Fair Price Shop in India using your Aadhaar and ration card number.

My ration card is old (APL). Do I get free grain?

Only NFSA beneficiaries (PHH and AAY cards) get free grain. Old APL/BPL cards not migrated to NFSA may not be entitled. Contact your state food department to check if you should be upgraded to NFSA.

What if the ration shop dealer demands money for free grain?

Free grain under PMGKAY is completely free — no charges allowed. You can file a complaint at your District Supply Officer's office or the state food portal's grievance section.

I didn't collect ration for 2 months. Can I get all 3 months together?

No — uncollected ration generally cannot be carried over. You can only collect the current month's quota each month.

How do I know my monthly grain allocation?

Visit your nearest Fair Price Shop — the dealer has the list. Or check the Mera Ration app / your state's food portal after entering your ration card number.

Official Links

• National Food Security: nfsa.gov.in
• Mera Ration App: mera.ration.gov.in
• ONORC transactions: impds.nic.in
• Ministry of Food: dfpd.gov.in
• Helpline: 1967 / 14445 (PDS toll-free)