PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: Free Food Grains for Poor Families

All families holding a valid Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card issued under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) are eligible for PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households — the poorest of the poor — are also covered under this scheme. Priority Households (PHH) identified by the state governments as per NFSA guidelines are eligible as well. The scheme does not require separate registration; families already listed in the PDS database receive the benefits automatically.

Each eligible family receives 5 kg of food grains (wheat or rice) per person per month absolutely free of cost under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. In addition to grains, 1 kg of chana (gram) per family per month was also provided when the scheme was active. The scheme was initially launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide nutritional support to below-poverty-line families and was extended multiple times by the Government of India. This benefit is over and above the regular quota received under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) ration distribution.

No separate application is required for PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Eligible beneficiaries already enrolled under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) with a valid ration card receive the additional food grains automatically at their designated Fair Price Shop (ration shop). Visit your local ration shop during the distribution period with your ration card and Aadhaar card. If you are not receiving the grains despite being a ration card holder, contact your local Food and Civil Supplies office or the ration shop dealer to resolve the issue.

Beneficiaries need to provide the following documents to receive food grains under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: (1) Ration Card or any government-issued family identification document linked to the Public Distribution System (PDS), (2) Aadhaar Card of the head of the family for identity verification, (3) Bank account details if cash transfers are applicable in their state, and (4) Mobile number registered with the ration shop or PDS dealer. Family members listed on the Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card are automatically eligible and do not need to submit separate applications.