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PM-GKAY: Free Foodgrain Scheme, Features and Concerns

20 June 20251 min read
GOVERNMENT SCHEMESPM-GKAY: FreeFoodgrainScheme, Featuresand Concerns20 June 2025safalsetu.com

In June 2025 the Centre said it expected to keep the wheat-rice mix under PM-GKAY in 2025-26, helped by record wheat procurement above 30 mt in the Rabi marketing season.

Key facts

  • Coverage: all NFSA, 2013 beneficiaries, around 80 crore.
  • Benefit: extra 5 kg free wheat or rice monthly, above the subsidised quota.
  • Delivery: via PDS, with portability through ONORC for migrants.
  • Timeline: April to June 2020, then extended in phases to September 2022.
  • Nodal ministry: first Finance, now Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

Concerns

  • Beneficiary list rests on the 2011 Census, leaving some food-insecure people out.
  • High cost strains the fiscal deficit target of 6.4% of GDP.
  • Rice and wheat make up about 10% of retail inflation; exports were restricted in 2022.
  • Logistics and procurement strain grows with scale.

Related initiatives

  • NFSM, RKVY, PMFBY, ISOPOM and the NFSA, 2013.

Exam angle

  • Launched: March 2020; type: free foodgrain welfare scheme.
  • Earlier UPSC Mains asked about NFSA 2013 features (2021).

Test yourself

1. How much additional free foodgrain per person per month does PM-GKAY provide?

The scheme gives an extra 5 kg of free wheat or rice.

2. Under which law are beneficiaries covered by PM-GKAY?

Coverage is all NFSA, 2013 beneficiaries.

3. Which census is used to determine PM-GKAY beneficiaries, as per the notes' concerns?

The notes flag an outdated 2011 Census base.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 20 June 2025 (15 topics).

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