Who is eligible to receive free food grains under PMGKAY?

All beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), including Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) ration card holders, are eligible.

How many kilograms of grains are provided per person / household through PMGKAY?

Each person gets 5 kg of food grains per month free of cost, while AAY households receive 35 kg per month.

Has the government re-verified or removed ineligible names from PMGKAY lists?

Yes, states periodically verify lists and remove ineligible beneficiaries to ensure only genuine ration cardholders get benefits.

What is Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and how does it work?

PMGKAY is a central government scheme providing free food grains to eligible beneficiaries through the Public Distribution System (PDS). It ensures food security during tough times.

Until when has the PMGKAY been extended / is active?

The scheme has been extended by the government up to December 2028 to support poor and vulnerable families.

How to check if my name is in the PMGKAY beneficiary list?

You can check your name in the beneficiary list through the official NFSA portal or by visiting your state’s ration card/PDS website.

What is the procedure to claim PMGKAY benefits via ration card?

Beneficiaries must visit their Fair Price Shop (FPS) with a valid ration card and Aadhaar authentication to collect free grains.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana | PM-GKAY Scheme Detail Guide

Q: What is Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)?

The PM-GKAY, part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme launched on March 26, 2020, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provides 5 kg of free food grains per person per month to migrants and people in poverty, in addition to the subsidised ration under the PDS.

Komal Bajpai

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Updated: 07-10-2026 at 8:09 AM

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The Garib Ann Kalyan Yojana (GKAY) was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 26, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides free food along with regular allocation of rations. This programme was launched by PM Modi as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. Let's explore the free ration distribution scheme in depth to learn more about its benefits and features.

Overview

The table below summarises some key details about the government food security scheme that one should know.

Name of the scheme	Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
Launched by	Indian government
Objective	To provide free food to migrants and people experiencing poverty
Mode of application	Offline
How to check PMGKAY beneficiaries list and the State-wise ration cardholders under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana?	Through the NFSA portal or your state’s PDS portal

Latest Update On Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana Extension

Important points about the latest update on Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana extension are as follows:

The government scheme has been extended for 5 more years from 2024 with an estimated budget of around 11 crores.
The government has also incorporated data from 20 crore ration cards on state portals.
The government scheme will now supply fortified rice (rice with added micronutrients) till the year 2028.

What Is Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)?

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is part of the Aatman Bharat scheme. This scheme aims to provide free food to migrants and people experiencing poverty. Under the government food security scheme, the centre offers 5 kg of food grains free of charge to people experiencing poverty every month. This is in addition to the subsidised ration at the rate of 2 to 3 rupees per kg.

The different phases of the PM-GKAY scheme:

The first phase: April to June 2020
The second phase: July to November 2020
The third phase: From May to June 2021
The fourth phase: July to November 2021
The fifth phase: December 2021 to March 2022

The government announced that under the free ration distribution scheme, the poor citizens of India would receive free food grains for the next five years, starting in January 2024. This demonstrates the government's commitment to national food security. This sarkari initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on the affected population groups sustainably and ensure fair pricing at no cost to the beneficiaries.

What Are The Benefits Of Free Ration Scheme Under PMGKAY?

There are several benefits of free ration scheme under PMGKAY. Some of the key benefits are laid out below:

Under the Pradhan Mantri welfare scheme, every family in possession of a ration card will receive 5 kg of grain free of charge, with an already ongoing subsidised food programme.
Wheat has been allocated to six states (UTs)—Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Gujarat—and rice has been provided to the remaining states.
The removal of agricultural distress and the purchase of rice and wheat at market prices will solve the problem of falling food prices for farmers.
The problem of poverty in urban areas can be reduced to some extent by reducing the food burden on families through the free ration distribution scheme.

What Is The Eligibility Criteria For PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana 2025?

Applicants need to fulfil the eligibility criteria of the Pradhan Mantri welfare scheme for a successful application. The criteria are as follows:

Families belonging to the categories of Antyodaya Anna Yojana and priority households are eligible for the programme.
Households headed by widows, seriously ill or disabled persons, or persons aged 60 years or older who have no assured means of livelihood or social support.
All primitive tribal households, landless persons, rural artisans such as potters, tanners, weavers, blacksmiths, and persons earning their daily livelihood as coolies, rickshaw pullers, and vendors are eligible for this programme.
All eligible families of HIV-positive people living below the poverty line.

What Is The Application Process For Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)?

The application process for Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is mentioned below in step-wise format:

Step 1: Eligible persons must go to the nearest Fair Price Shop with their ration card.

Step 2: They can authenticate themselves with the Aadhar biometric identification.

Step 3: The rest of the work is done by an authorised person from the Fair Price Shop.

What Are The Documents Required For The PMGKAY?

Applicants need to submit some supporting documents to successfully apply for the free grains for poor families scheme. The list of those documents is as follows:

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was much needed and was supported by the government in difficult times. By providing free rations, it helped millions of Indians who were suffering from a food crisis. In the future, the government must implement such programmes with transparency to ensure the welfare of the citizens of this country.

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.

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