The government has made a big change in the free ration rules.
The government is considering changing the grain entitlement under the ‘Antyodaya Anna Yojana’ (AAY) from a fixed 35 kg per family per month to 7 kg per person per month (with a maximum limit of 35 kg). This step will benefit many poor families. The Department of Food and Public Distribution has proposed amendments to the ‘National Food Security Act, 2013’ and the Food Ministry has sought public opinion on the ‘National Food Security (Amendment) Bill, 2026’ till July 13.
What is the current system?
Under the current law, AAY families (considered the poorest) get 35 kg of food grains per family every month, regardless of family size. In contrast, ‘Priority Households’ get 5 kg of grains per person every month. The result of this arrangement is that larger AAY households often receive less grain per capita than members of ‘priority households’ – a category meant for people who are less vulnerable than AAY beneficiaries.
Who will get the benefit of the new rule?
The ministry said in a statement that the existing family-based entitlement under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana was intended to protect the most vulnerable families, but it creates significant inequalities based on family size. Under the proposed arrangement, an AAY family of two members will get 14 kg of grains every month, while a family of five or more members will get grains as per the existing limit of 35 kg. There will hardly be any change in the total quantity for small families, but larger families will benefit as the allocation of grains will be according to the family size.?
What is the purpose of the new rule?
The government has prepared this amendment as part of its broader efforts to strengthen food and nutrition security through a ‘human life cycle approach’. Its objective is to provide good quality and adequate quantity of food at affordable prices in line with the objectives of ‘National Food Security Act, 2013’. At present, rice and wheat are provided free of cost to both priority families and AAY.
