PMGKAY Free Ration — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) 2026 — Free 5 kg Grain/Month to 81 Crore | nfsa.gov.in |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2020 |
| Benefit | 5 kg free grain/month per person (wheat or rice) — no payment required at ration shop |
| Category | Agriculture |
| Last Verified | 1 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://nfsa.gov.in |
What is PMGKAY Free Ration?
PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provides free food grain — 5 kg wheat/rice per person per month — to 81.35 crore beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Launched in April 2020 during COVID-19, made permanent from January 2024 under the NFSA umbrella. No payment required — grain is distributed free through PDS ration shops. Budget: ₹2 lakh crore annually. Managed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive 5 kg free grain/month per person (wheat or rice) — no payment required at ration shop. The scheme was launched in 2020 and is implemented by the Government of India.
पीएम गरीब कल्याण अन्न योजना (PMGKAY) भारत की सबसे बड़ी खाद्य सुरक्षा योजना है। राष्ट्रीय खाद्य सुरक्षा अधिनियम (NFSA) के तहत 81.35 करोड़ लाभार्थियों को प्रति माह प्रति व्यक्ति 5 किलो गेहूं/चावल पूरी तरह मुफ्त मिलता है। अप्रैल 2020 में COVID-19 राहत के रूप में शुरू, जनवरी 2024 से NFSA के तहत स्थायी। राशन कार्ड से नजदीकी FPS पर मुफ्त अनाज लें।
5 किलो मुफ्त अनाज/माह प्रति व्यक्ति (गेहूं या चावल) — राशन दुकान पर शून्य भुगतान
Benefits of PMGKAY Free Ration
5 kg free grain/month per person (wheat or rice) — no payment required at ration shop
Who is Eligible for PMGKAY Free Ration?
- ✓Must hold a valid NFSA ration card (Antyodaya Anna Yojana or Priority Household card)
- ✓All AAY families (yellow card) and Priority Household (PHH) card holders are covered
- ✓81.35 crore persons across all states and UTs
- ✓No income ceiling — eligibility determined by state government during NFSA enrolment
Documents Required for PMGKAY Free Ration
How to Apply for PMGKAY Free Ration Online?
- 1Visit your nearest Fair Price Shop (FPS) on allotted distribution day
- 2Provide ration card number and biometric/OTP Aadhaar authentication
- 3Collect 5 kg free grain per member — no payment required
- 4To check your name in NFSA list: nfsa.gov.in → Ration Card → State Ration Card Details
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 — PMGKAY Free Ration
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