Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) 2026 — 35 Kg Subsidised Grain/Month for Poorest Families | nfsa.gov.in |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2000 |
| Benefit | 35 kg food grain per month FREE (under NFSA) — rice, wheat, and coarse cereals — for 2.5 crore poorest families (yellow AAY ration card) |
| Category | Agriculture |
| Last Verified | 2 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://nfsa.gov.in |
What is Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)?
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is India's targeted food security scheme for the poorest of the poor, launched by PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in December 2000. Under AAY, identified families (with yellow ration card) receive 35 kg of food grain per month at highly subsidised rates — rice at ₹3/kg and wheat at ₹2/kg (and coarse cereals at ₹1/kg). AAY covers 2.5 crore families nationally — those with no steady income, landless agriculture labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans, slum dwellers, and the destitute. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, AAY beneficiaries receive grains free of cost (zero price) as the state and central government absorb the full cost. The yellow AAY ration card is distinct from the Priority Household (PHH) white/pink card.
Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive 35 kg food grain per month FREE (under NFSA) — rice, wheat, and coarse cereals — for 2.5 crore poorest families (yellow AAY ration card). The scheme was launched in 2000 and is implemented by the Government of India.
अन्त्योदय अन्न योजना (AAY) — सबसे गरीब 2.5 करोड़ परिवारों को 35 किलो अनाज/महीना — NFSA के तहत अब FREE। Yellow ration card। landless labourers, marginal farmers, destitute को। nfsa.gov.in पर details।
35 किलो अनाज/महीना FREE — चावल, गेहूं — 2.5 करोड़ poorest families — yellow AAY ration card
Benefits of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
35 kg food grain per month FREE (under NFSA) — rice, wheat, and coarse cereals — for 2.5 crore poorest families (yellow AAY ration card)
Who is Eligible for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)?
- ✓Families identified as the poorest of the poor by State Governments
- ✓Landless agriculture labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans/craftsmen
- ✓Households headed by widows, terminally ill persons, disabled persons
- ✓Primitive Tribal Groups, landless bonded labourers (released)
- ✓Destitute persons with no regular income or dependable means of livelihood
- ✓Urban slum dwellers with no regular income
- ✓Not already holding a Priority Household (PHH) ration card
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Documents Required for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
How to Apply for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Online?
- 1Visit the official portal at https://nfsa.gov.in
- 2Click on Apply Now or Register button on the homepage
- 3Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and verify OTP
- 4Fill in the online application form with required details
- 5Upload the required documents including Aadhaar and bank passbook
- 6Review all details and submit the application
- 7Note down the application reference number for future tracking
- 8Wait for verification and approval from the concerned authority
Official Government Portal
Apply directly on the official government website. This is the only authorised portal — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
🔗Apply on nfsa.gov.inFrequently Asked Questions — Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
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