What Is The Antyodaya Anna Yojana?
Updated: 03-04-2025 at 12:30 PM
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The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is a key poverty alleviation program in India that aims to guarantee food security for the neediest families. In this regard, the government scheme makes sure that even the most susceptible sections of society can have food grains at highly subsidised prices.
But what exactly is the Antyodaya Anna Yojana? How does it work? Let’s break it down in a simple form.
Overview
The following table talks about the key pieces of information of the Antodaya Anna Yojana, including its commencing date, the objective target group and much more.
| Name of the scheme | AAY |
|---|---|
| Full form | Antyodaya Anna Yojana |
| Launched in | 2000 |
| Objective | To provide essential food grains at subsidised prices |
| Target group | People from economically disadvantaged groups, the elderly, PwDs, and unemployed individuals |
| Application Process | Online/Offline |
What Is The Antyodaya Anna Yojana?
Antyodaya Anna Yojana, typically referred to as AAY, is a government scheme aimed at helping the poorest people. The plan provides food grains at low prices to these families so no one goes hungry.
The Antyodaya Anna Yojana was launched in December 2000 by the Government of India, and it targets the poorest families, including daily wage earners, landless labourers, and those with irregular income.
Objectives
There are several objectives of the government scheme that outline its goals. Some of the major objectives of the scheme are laid down below:
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To ensure that everyone, irrespective of their socio-economic status, has access to nutritious food.
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To promote the working of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TDPS), as it is responsible for distributing food grains to people from low-income groups.
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Allocation of funds from the government’s budget to eradicate malnutrition.
What Are The Benefits Of The AAY?
Antyodaya Anna Yojana comes along with a lot of benefits. Some of its benefits are described below in detail for one’s better understanding:
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People, especially those who come from economically disadvantaged groups, are provided with subsidised rates to purchase essential food grains.
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The Sarkari Yojana covers physically disabled, unemployed, and elderly individuals too.
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Beneficiaries are provided with a special card through which they can make purchases by proving their identities.
How Does Antyodaya Anna Yojana Work?
Under the government scheme, eligible families get an Antyodaya Anna Yojana ration card, which they use to buy food grains at heavily subsidised rates. Each family gets 35 kilograms of food grain per month from rice, wheat and other essential grains.
Very Low Prices for Food Grains Are:
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3 Rs/kg for Rice
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2 Rs/kg for Wheat
Read more: Ayushman Card
Who Is An Antyodaya Anna Yojana Beneficiary?
An Antyodaya Anna Yojana beneficiary is usually a family that falls under the category of the economically weakest people. These families primarily include:
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Landless agricultural labourers
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Daily wage earners
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Families headed by widows, disabled persons, or terminally ill individuals
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The elderly without adequate support
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Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other backward classes (OBCs) who are below the poverty line ( ₹27,000 to ₹40,000).
State governments conduct surveys to identify these beneficiaries and choose the families that need help most.
Read more: eShram Card
How To Identify The Families Under AAY?
The families under the Sarkari Yojana can be identified in various ways. All the ways are listed below in detail:
| Component | Beneficiaries from Rural Areas | Beneficiaries from Urban Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Income criteria | Annual income of up to Rs. 15,000 | Annual income of up to Rs. 15,000 |
| Elderly | Retired individuals or old age pensioners | Households wherein the head of the family is 60 years old or above with no reliable source of income |
| Widows | Unemployed widows | Households headed by widows with no source of income |
| PwDs | Physically challenged people | Households headed by PwDs |
| Farmers and Labourers | Small and marginal farmers, landless farmers | Construction workers, domestic servants, rickshaw pullers, and porters |
| Artists and Craftsmen | Weavers, potters, blacksmiths, and carpenters | Street vendors like fruit and flower sellers, rag pickers, snake charmers, and cobblers |
| Slum Dwellers | Slum dwellers | Slum dwellers |
Antyodaya Anna Yojana Comes Under Which Ministry?
The Antyodaya Anna Yojana is under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. This ministry monitors the implementation of the government scheme and ensures that food grains reach their intended beneficiaries through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Read more: Aadhaar Card
How To Apply For Antyodaya Anna Yojana?
Individuals can apply for AAY through both online and offline procedures. Both the procedures are mentioned below in a step-wise format to provide clarity.
Online Procedure
Step 1: Please visit the official website of AAY.
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Apply for a new ration card’ option.
Step 3: Select your state.
Step 4: Fill out the application form with accurate information, upload the supporting documents, and submit.
Offline Procedure
Step 1: If you reside in a rural area, please visit the Department of Urban Development. In urban areas, the Chief Executives do the same.
Step 2: The authorities will verify your eligibility.
Step 3: Your information will be shared with the Panchayat or Municipality.
Step 4: The Office of Revenue will create a list of eligible beneficiaries and put it forth to the Gram Sabha for further approval.
What Documents Are Required For Antyodaya Anna Yojana?
The applicants of the government scheme need to attach some supporting documents as well. The list of those documents is as follows:
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An affidavit stating that the applicant didn’t have a ration card before
About The AAY Ration Card
The Antyodaya Anna Yojana Ration Card is an identification measure issued to the beneficiaries of the Sarkari Yojana. It allows the beneficiaries of the scheme to purchase food grains by proving their identities through the card.
Benefits
The AAY Ration Card comes along with a list of benefits aimed at making the lives of people from the vulnerable section of society easier and convenient. The major benefits of the card are mentioned below for one’s better understanding:
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The ration card acts as an identification measure for the beneficiaries of the govt scheme.
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Allows people from vulnerable groups to purchase food grains at subsidised prices with a monthly limit of 35 kgs.
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The AAY Ration Card is also given to PwDs, the elderly, and unemployed individuals.
What Are The AAY Portals For Various States?
Every state has a separate portal for the Sarkari Yojana. The portals for the major states are listed below in tabular format:
| State | Department |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Civil Supplies Department |
| Delhi | Delhi Government Food Supplies |
| Karnataka | Food and Civil Supplies |
| Maharashtra | Food and Civil Supplies |
| Tamil Nadu | Civil Supplies Department |
Read more: EWS Certificate
Why Understanding Antyodaya Anna Yojana Is Important?
Understanding the significance of knowing Antyodaya Anna Yojana is important for those who are eligible themselves or know someone else who might be. This central government scheme has been a saviour for many underprivileged Indian families.
If you know the Antyodaya Anna Yojana beneficiary requirements and what Antyodaya Anna Yojana is under which ministry, you can be sure that the right people in your community are getting help
Conclusion
The Antyodaya Anna Yojana is an important program that provides a lifeline for the poorest households across India. It ensures everyone has something to eat, regardless of their economic situation, by offering food grains at highly subsidised rates.
Stay updated with Jaagruk Bharat to get the latest information on government schemes and more, and reach out to us via our community page if you have any questions or want to share your thoughts.
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