What are the benefits of being classified as a Priority Household?

Priority Households receive food grains at highly subsidised rates: rice at Rs. 3 per kg, wheat at Rs. 2 per kg, and coarse grains at Rs. 1 per kg. Each family member is entitled to 5 kg of food grains per month.

How can one apply for a Priority Household Ration Card?

To apply, visit your state’s food and civil supplies department, fill out the application form, and submit required documents like proof of identity, income, and residence.

Why is it important to understand Priority Households?

Understanding whether your family qualifies can help you access government benefits under the NFSA, ensuring that your family has access to affordable, essential food grains and reducing the risk of hunger.

What is a Priority Household Ration Card?

A Priority Household Ration Card is issued to low-income families, allowing them to purchase essential food grains like rice, wheat, and coarse cereals at subsidized rates through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Who qualifies as a Priority Household under the NFSA?

Families that meet criteria like low economic status, larger family size, occupation in low-paying jobs, or vulnerability (e.g., elderly or disabled members) may qualify as a Priority Household. These criteria can vary slightly by state.

What are the benefits of being classified as a Priority Household?

Priority Households receive food grains at highly subsidised rates: rice at Rs. 3 per kg, wheat at Rs. 2 per kg, and coarse grains at Rs. 1 per kg. Each family member is entitled to 5 kg of food grains per month.

What is a Priority Household Ration Card?

A Priority Household Ration Card is issued to low-income families, allowing them to purchase essential food grains like rice, wheat, and coarse cereals at subsidized rates through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Who qualifies as a Priority Household under the NFSA?

Families that meet criteria like low economic status, larger family size, occupation in low-paying jobs, or vulnerability (e.g., elderly or disabled members) may qualify as a Priority Household. These criteria can vary slightly by state.

How can one apply for a Priority Household Ration Card?

To apply, visit your state’s food and civil supplies department, fill out the application form, and submit required documents like proof of identity, income, and residence.

Why is it important to understand Priority Households?

Understanding whether your family qualifies can help you access government benefits under the NFSA, ensuring that your family has access to affordable, essential food grains and reducing the risk of hunger.

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What Are Priority Households? And What To Know About It?

Neha Gupta

Author

Updated: 28-01-2025 at 6:41 AM

What Are Priority Households? And What To Know About It?

The government of India has taken various measures to ensure that all citizens, particularly those belonging to the economically weaker sections have access to basic amenities. One such initiative is the Identification of Priority Households under the NFSA (National Food Security Act). But what exactly does this mean and who benefits from these programs? Let us discuss this in simple terms.

Overview

Name of the program	Priority Household Ration Card
Act	National Food Security Act, of 2013
Objective	To deliver food grains at subsidised prices to families from the economically weaker section of the society
Target group	Families from BPL or other vulnerable groups
Prices of food grains	Rs. 3 per kg for rice, Rs. 2 per kg for wheat, and Rs. 1 per kg for coarse grains
Application mode	Online
Helpline	1800111441

Understanding Priority Households

A Priority Household Ration Card is a type of ration card given to below-average income families where they receive basic food grains at subsidised rates. The state governments identify these households while adhering to guidelines issued by the central government under NFSA eligibility criteria.

The National Food Security Act, of 2013 was enacted to provide food security by ensuring the availability of food at affordable prices. It means that priority households can access highly subsidised food grains like rice, wheat, and coarse cereals through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Read more: Ayushman Card

What Is NFSA Eligibility Criteria For Priority Households?

NFSA eligibility criteria refer to the conditions that define one as a priority household. These are established by respective state governments with slight differences between states. In general, the following aspects are considered:

Economic Status: This translates to an annual income of around Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 32,000 per family, depending on the family size and specific regional guidelines.
Family Size: More dependents in larger families often imply higher chances of qualifying as a priority household.
Occupation: Families headed by someone involved in low-paying or informal employment may be placed on top of the list.
Vulnerability: Some examples include elderly members living alone or single-headed families having disabled people among them.

If your family meets these criteria, you may be entitled to receive a Priority Household Ration Card, which will enable you to buy essential food grains at lower rates.

Read more: eShram Card

Exclusion Priority Households Under NFSA

Individuals or families who don’t come under Priority Household under NFSA are mentione below in detail:

Families who own a pucca house with at least 3 rooms.
Families who pay taxes.
A member of the family who is a pensioner or a member who earns Rs. 10000 per month in a rural area and Rs. 15000 per month in urban areas.
A member of the family who is a govt. Employee.
Households with a domestic electric connection.
Families with businesses registered with the government.
Families who own four-wheeler vehicles.
Families who own agricultural equipment.

Benefits Of Priority Households Under NFSA

Classification as a Priority Household under NFSA comes with several benefits including:

Subsidised Food Grains:

Commodity	Price (per kg)
Rice	Rs. 3 per kg
Wheat	Rs. 2 per kg
Coarse grains	Rs. 1 per kg

Monthly Allocation: Each member of the priority household is entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains per month.
Nutritional Security: Even the poorest sections of society can access vital nutrients which lowers the chances of malnutrition.

How To Apply For A Priority Household Ration Card?

If you think your family fulfills NFSA eligibility criteria, then you will be required to apply for a Priority Household Ration Card through your state’s food and civil supplies department.

In most cases, this involves filling out an application form and providing necessary documents such as proof of identity, income, and residence.

Read more: EWS Certificate

Why Understanding Priority Households Is Important

Knowing whether you qualify as a priority household can help you access the benefits provided by the government under the NFSA. These benefits help families with low incomes avoid going hungry.

By keeping abreast with NFSA eligibility criteria and ensuring that all your papers are in order, you can ensure that your family is covered. Government identification programs for priority households aim at ending hunger and achieving universal food security for everyone.

Read more: Death Certificate

Conclusion

India’s food security framework is built on priority households as the mainstay. The government makes sure that everyone has access to basic nutrition through the provision of subsidised food grains to those most in need of it. So if you think your family qualifies, go ahead and apply for a Priority Household Ration Card under NFSA and reap benefits from these core services.

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