Applications openCentral Government
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) — free food grains through ration shops
Government of India (Department of Food and Public Distribution)
Overview
A central scheme that provides free food grains (rice/wheat) to economically vulnerable households to ensure food and nutrition security. It aims to reduce financial hardship and strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households receive a fixed quantity of grain per household each month, and Priority Household (PHH) beneficiaries receive a fixed quantity per person each month.
There is no separate application — the scheme runs through the existing PDS. Households with an AAY or PHH ration card who are on the beneficiary list receive the benefit automatically at fair price shops.
At a glance
- Administering authority
- Government of India (Department of Food and Public Distribution)
- Scheme type
- Social Security
- Place of posting / area
- All India
- Application mode
- Offline
- Important dates
- Applications accepted year-round
Benefits
- Free food grains (rice/wheat) through the PDS
- AAY households: a fixed quantity per household each month
- PHH beneficiaries: a fixed quantity per person each month
- Collected from fair price shops
Eligibility
- Households classified under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
- Beneficiaries categorised as Priority Households (PHH)
- A valid ration card issued by the state or union territory
- Eligibility determined by socio-economic criteria set by the state government
- Economically vulnerable, low-income families identified under the PDS
Required documents
- Valid AAY or PHH ration card
How to apply
- There is no separate application for PMGKAY; it runs through the existing PDS
- Eligible households on the beneficiary list receive the benefit automatically at fair price shops
- If you have no ration card or need a category change, contact the state Food Department
Last updated: 1 Nov 2026
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