Details

The Indian government has a significant program called the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY). Its main goal is to ensure that those most in need, like migrant workers and impoverished families, have access to essential food grains.

What is the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana?

PM-GKAY is a welfare scheme designed to provide free food grains to vulnerable sections of society. It was introduced as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The scheme ensures that no poor family goes hungry by providing additional food grains on top of their regular subsidized rations. The scheme has been implemented in various phases since its inception in 2020.

Who Benefits from This Scheme?

This scheme is primarily for individuals and families who hold ration cards and are covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). This includes families identified as Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH). Migrant workers and the poorest sections of society are also key beneficiaries.

Why is This Scheme Important?

PM-GKAY plays a crucial role in strengthening food security for the most vulnerable populations in India. By providing free food grains, it helps alleviate hunger and malnutrition, especially during challenging economic times. The scheme ensures that families can meet their basic nutritional needs, complementing the regular subsidized rations they receive.

Objective

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) offers free food grains to priority households, including migrants and the poor, via the Public Distribution System.

Benefits

Amount of Fellowship:1. To-and-fro, economy class air ticket for international travel, by the shortest route, from the airport, nearest to the residence/ workplace of the candidate to the airport, nearest to the destination University in respect of both Indian and Overseas candidates (Air tickets to be provided by the Council).2. The overseas fellows will be entitled for economy-class-travel cost reimbursement from port of arrival in India to the destination University in India and back.3. For Indian candidates, the cost on travel from place of residence/work to the port of departure in India and from port of arrival to the destination University overseas will be met by the fellows themselves or by their sponsoring organization.4. Amount payable to the International fellowship candidates:a) Ph.D.: Indian fellows going abroadAmount not exceeding: US$ 2,000/- per monthLump-sum payments towards contingent and preparatory expenses: US $ 1,000/- per yearb) Ph.D.: Overseas fellows in IndiaAmount not exceeding: INR 40,000/- per monthLump-sum payments towards contingent and preparatory expenses: INR 25,000/- per year5. The fellowship amount for the first six months, as first installment, will be released by the Council to the fellow through government notified/ approved bank to be deposited in the bank account of the fellow on receiving his/ her acceptance for the fellowship and admission letter received from the host University.6. Thereafter, the amount of fellowship will be released to the fellow, every six months, after receiving the academic progress report from the fellow duly certified by the concerned advisor/ supervisor/ head of institution.7. The first installment to the Indian fellow will be paid in Indian Rupees only.8. The fellow will meet all other costs including medical insurance etc. from the above fellowship or from his/ her own resources.9. During the tenure of fellowship, an in-service fellow may continue to receive his/her salary, types of leave and benefits etc. from the parent organization as per rules.Tenure of Fellowship:

The NS-ICAR IFs are available to Indian candidates as well as overseas candidates for a period of three years.

The tenure of fellowship will not be extended in any case, in so far as the Council support is concerned.

In case the fellow is not able to complete his/her degree during this period, he/she will use his/her own resources for completing the degree.

In case the fellow is not able to complete even after 2 years of the prescribed duration of the programme for which fellowship was sanctioned, the Council may take necessary steps, for the recovery of the fellowship paid.

Sources and references

Website

Eligibility Criteria

Families identified under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category are eligible.
Families categorized as Priority Households (PHH) are also eligible. State Governments and Union Territory Administrations identify these households based on their own criteria.
For AAY families, the Central Government's criteria are followed for identification. This includes households headed by widows, terminally ill persons, disabled individuals, or those aged 60 and above, who lack assured means of subsistence or societal support.
Individuals who are widows, terminally ill, disabled, aged 60 or above, single women, or single men without family or societal support and no assured means of subsistence are also considered.
All primitive tribal households are included.
Various groups like landless agricultural laborers, marginal farmers, rural artisans (potters, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters), slum dwellers, and daily wage earners in the informal sector (porters, rickshaw pullers, fruit sellers, rag pickers, cobblers) in both rural and urban areas are eligible.
All eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) individuals living with HIV are also included.

How To Apply

To avail the benefits of this scheme, you do not need to fill out any separate application form. Simply visit your nearest Fair Price Shop (FPS) along with your Ration Card.

Documents Required

Ration Card
Aadhaar Card (if it is linked with your Ration Card)

FAQ’s

How can I check if I am a beneficiary under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)?

You can verify your NFSA beneficiary status by visiting the official portal at https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/ration_card_state_portals_aad. This link will direct you to the relevant state portals where you can check your ration card details.

Is there a specific application process to get benefits under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana?

No, there isn't a separate application process. Eligible individuals need to visit their nearest Fair Price Shop and present their Ration Card to receive the scheme's benefits.

Who is eligible to receive benefits from this scheme?

All ration cardholders and beneficiaries who are covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, are eligible to receive benefits under this scheme.

Netaji Subhas - ICAR International Fellowship 2026