PMGKAY: Backbone of Food Security
PMGKAY remained the cornerstone of India’s food welfare system. Originally launched during the COVID-19 crisis, the scheme has evolved into a long-term social safety net. With its extension for five years from January 1, 2024, nearly 80 crore beneficiaries currently receive free foodgrains against an intended coverage of 81.35 crore people.
Between its various phases, over 1,118 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains have been allocated, supported by a planned financial outlay of approximately Rs 3.91 lakh crore. This move eliminated the earlier subsidised pricing structure and ensured uniform, free distribution across states.
Public Distribution and Welfare Allocations
For 2025–26, the government allocated over 608 lakh tonnes of foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Other Welfare Schemes and additional emergency requirements. Major beneficiaries included Antyodaya Anna Yojana households, Priority Households, PM POSHAN, ICDS-linked nutrition programmes and welfare institutions.
These allocations ensured continuity of nutritional support while addressing region-specific needs during floods, festivals and natural calamities.
TPDS Reforms and Digital Transformation
Significant progress was achieved in digitising the PDS ecosystem. All ration cards and beneficiary data are now digitised nationwide, covering nearly 20.55 crore ration cards. Aadhaar seeding reached 99.9 percent, while over 99.8 percent of Fair Price Shops are equipped with ePoS machines.
More than 98 percent of foodgrain transactions were Aadhaar-authenticated, ensuring transparency and minimising leakages.
ONORC: Nationwide Portability Achieved
The One Nation One Ration Card initiative achieved full national coverage in 2025. From its initial rollout in four states in 2019, ONORC now covers all 36 States and Union Territories, benefiting nearly the entire NFSA population.
Since inception, over 195 crore portability transactions have been recorded, delivering more than 464 lakh tonnes of foodgrains. In 2025 alone, around 32.6 crore transactions ensured uninterrupted food access for migrant and mobile populations.
Logistics, Movement and Anna Chakra
Food Corporation of India moved over 283 lakh tonnes of foodgrains through rail, road and multimodal routes. Route optimisation under the Anna Chakra initiative, developed with IIT Delhi and the World Food Programme, reduced transportation costs by nearly Rs 250 crore annually while cutting CO2 emissions by up to 35 percent.
Farmer Procurement and MSP Support
Procurement at Minimum Support Price remained a key focus. During Rabi Marketing Season 2025–26, over 300 lakh tonnes of wheat were procured, benefiting more than 25 lakh farmers. Paddy procurement crossed 832 lakh tonnes in Kharif 2024–25, supporting over 1.18 crore farmers.
Millet procurement also continued under the government’s nutrition and diversification push.
Subsidy, OMSS and Storage Modernisation
Food subsidy releases to FCI and decentralised procurement states exceeded Rs 1.36 lakh crore in FY 2025–26 so far. Under OMSS, Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice ensured affordable market supplies, while wheat stock limits curbed hoarding.
Modern steel silos under PPP models expanded scientific storage capacity, strengthening long-term foodgrain management.
