Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
35 kg of wheat/rice per family per month — at ₹2/kg for wheat and ₹3/kg for rice under AAY; free of cost under PMGKAY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) till December 2029
Monthly — 35 kg food grain per family at subsidized/free rate at FPS
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in December 2000 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to provide heavily subsidized food grains to the poorest of the poor households — the "poorest among the poor." AAY households receive 35 kg of food grain per family per month (wheat at ₹2/kg and rice at ₹3/kg) from Fair Price Shops under the Public Distribution System. Since 2024 under PMGKAY, AAY beneficiaries receive 35 kg food grain completely free of cost. AAY ration cards have a distinctive yellow colour in most states.
Am I Eligible?
Quick check — answer 3 questions
Is your age between 0 and 100 years?
Is your annual family income under ₹1 Cr?
Do you live in India?
Benefit Details
35 kg of wheat/rice per family per month — at ₹2/kg for wheat and ₹3/kg for rice under AAY; free of cost under PMGKAY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) till December 2029
Provided by Central Government
Monthly — 35 kg food grain per family at subsidized/free rate at FPS
Eligibility Criteria
Households belonging to the poorest of the poor — specifically: landless agricultural labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans/craftsmen (potters, tanners, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters), slum dwellers, widows/single women, elderly/disabled/terminal illness households with no societal support, primitive tribal groups, destitute individuals — identified and recommended by state governments
0 to 100 years
Up to ₹1 Cr / year
Rural & Urban (Both)
Required Documents
💡 Tip: Keep original documents and 2 photocopies ready. Self-attest all photocopies.
How to Apply
Verify Existing AAY Status
onlineCheck if your household already has an AAY (yellow) ration card. Existing AAY card holders automatically receive 35 kg food grain at the Fair Price Shop every month. Check your state's PDS portal or call 14445 for status.
Apply for New AAY Ration Card
offlineIf not already covered, approach your local village Panchayat head, Block Development Officer, or Tehsildar with your family details, income proof, and poverty certificate. The state government maintains AAY identification — typically done through state PDS offices after village-level survey.
Submit Application at PDS Office
offlineVisit your district's Food and Civil Supplies office → submit income/poverty documents, land records, Aadhaar, and state-specific forms → state officials conduct a verification survey → if identified as eligible, an AAY card is issued within 30–60 days.
Link Aadhaar to Ration Card
offlineMandatory eKYC: visit the FPS or food department office to link all family members' Aadhaar numbers to your AAY ration card. Without Aadhaar seeding, food grain distribution is blocked.
Collect Food Grain Every Month
offlineVisit your designated Fair Price Shop monthly → biometric verification → collect 35 kg food grain (25 kg rice + 10 kg wheat, proportions vary by state). Under PMGKAY (extended till Dec 2029), this is completely FREE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Summary
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Anna Bhagya Scheme (Karnataka)
10 kg of free rice per person per month for all NFSA (BPL / AAY) ration card holders in Karnataka — distributed at Fair Price Shops using Aadhaar biometric authentication
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Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
5 kg of rice or wheat per person per month completely FREE for all NFSA ration card holders; AAY families get 35 kg per family per month; scheme extended till December 2029; benefit flows through existing ration card — no new registration
⚠️ Disclaimer: Information is compiled from official government sources for guidance purposes. Eligibility and benefits may vary. Always verify with the official portal or nearest government office before applying.
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