Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)
Ministry: Ministry of Finance
Category: Food Security, Ration, Welfare, Poverty Alleviation | State/UT: All India | Central: Yes
About Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) is a central government welfare initiative under Atmanirbhar Bharat to provide free food grains to migrants and economically weaker sections. The scheme supplements the National Food Security Act (NFSA) entitlements by providing an additional 5 kg of food grains per person per month free of cost. It was implemented in multiple phases since April 2020 to support families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic disruptions.
Details
Under PM-GKAY, beneficiaries receive 5 kg of rice or wheat per person per month, free of cost, in addition to their subsidized ration under NFSA. Different states receive allocations based on regional preferences — wheat for Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Gujarat; rice for other States and UTs. The scheme’s Phase VI (April–September 2022) alone incurred a food subsidy cost of ₹80,000 crore. Beneficiaries can also use the One Nation One Ration Card system for portability of benefits.
Eligibility
Eligible households include:
- Families covered under **Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)** and **Priority Household (PHH)** categories under NFSA.
- PHH identified by State/UT Governments as per local socio-economic criteria.
- AAY families identified as per Central Government guidelines, including:
• Households headed by widows, disabled, terminally ill, or elderly persons (60+ years) without support.
• Single women or men without family or social support.
• Primitive tribal households.
• Landless agricultural laborers, marginal farmers, rural artisans (potters, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, tanners), slum dwellers, and informal sector workers (coolies, porters, rickshaw pullers, fruit/flower sellers, rag pickers, cobblers, etc.).
• All eligible BPL families of HIV-positive persons.
Benefits
Under PM-GKAY:
1️⃣ Each eligible household receives **5 kg of food grains (wheat or rice) per person per month free of cost**, in addition to the regular NFSA quota.
2️⃣ Allocation type:
- **Wheat:** Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat.
- **Rice:** All other States/UTs.
3️⃣ The scheme covers all AAY and PHH ration card holders under NFSA.
4️⃣ **No monetary payment required** — entirely funded by the Central Government.
5️⃣ **Additional benefit:** Beneficiaries can claim rations from any Fair Price Shop nationwide through the One Nation One Ration Card facility.
Application Process
Offline:
1. Visit the nearest **Fair Price Shop (FPS)**.
2. Provide your **Ration Card number** or **Aadhaar number** linked to your ration card.
3. Undergo **Aadhaar authentication** using fingerprint or iris scan.
4. Collect the free monthly quota of food grains under PM-GKAY.
Note:
Beneficiaries can access their entitlements anywhere in India under the **One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)** initiative.
Documents Required
1. Ration Card (NFSA AAY or PHH)
2. Aadhaar Card (linked with Ration Card)
Get More Updates
Follow us on social media for the latest government schemes and notifications: