If you hold an NFSA ration card, your monthly food security is assured with free wheat or rice continuing for five years from 1 January 2024, delivered through fair price shops under the Targeted Public Distribution System with nationwide portability. Priority Households receive 5 kg per person each month, while Antyodaya families receive 35 kg per family, issued at zero price and authenticated via Aadhaar-enabled PoS devices.
This ration card update confirms the Centre’s decision to provide free-of-cost foodgrains to NFSA beneficiaries for five years from January 2024, backed by an estimated outlay of ₹11.80 lakh crore and covering roughly two-thirds of India’s population. As of October 2025, about 78.90 crore beneficiaries are receiving free grain, with ONORC enabling migrants to lift rations anywhere in the country.
Ration Card Update
| Item | What You Get | Who Gets It | When/Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free wheat/rice | 5 kg per person (PHH) or 35 kg per AAY family per month, free of cost | NFSA beneficiaries via TPDS | Five years from 1 Jan 2024 |
| Coverage | Up to 75% rural and 50% urban population (≈ two-thirds) | Households identified by states under NFSA | Ongoing |
| ONORC portability | Lift ration in any state using Aadhaar authentication and ePoS | Migrants and NFSA beneficiaries | Implemented in all 36 States/UTs |
| LPG support (PMUY) | ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder subsidy for up to 9 refills in FY 2025–26 | PMUY households | FY 2025–26 |
| New PMUY connection | Deposit-free connection + free first refill + free stove | Eligible adult women from poor households | Ongoing |
Free foodgrains under NFSA continue for five years from 1 January 2024, ensuring predictable, zero-price access to wheat or rice for AAY and PHH beneficiaries across India. If your household uses LPG under PMUY, plan for up to nine refills this year with ₹300 subsidy support and keep KYC updated so the benefit flows smoothly to your account. Free foodgrains for NFSA households are locked in for five years from 1 January 2024, so Priority Households can count on 5 kg per person monthly and Antyodaya families on 35 kg per month at zero price through their fair price shops with full portability. Keep Aadhaar eKYC updated, check your PoS slip every visit, and if you are a PMUY consumer, plan up to nine LPG refills this year to capture the ₹300-per-cylinder support and reduce out-of-pocket cooking costs.
Government’s Big 2025 Update: Free Ration Starts October 1
Free ration distribution continues under NFSA with zero issue price at fair price shops, reinforcing legal entitlements for both AAY and PHH categories across states and UTs. Beneficiaries authenticate using Aadhaar on ePoS devices and receive a printed PoS slip showing quantity and free pricing, with portability through One Nation One Ration Card for maximum access.
Who Gets What Under NFSA
- Priority Households: 5 kg per person per month of rice or wheat, issued free, as part of the NFSA entitlement now priced at zero for beneficiaries.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana: 35 kg per family per month of rice or wheat, also free at TPDS outlets across all states and UTs.
- Coverage scale: NFSA legally covers up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban populations—about two-thirds of India—through targeted identification by states.
How Many Beneficiaries Are Covered Now
- Beneficiary count: As of October 2025, 78.90 crore people are receiving foodgrains free of cost under NFSA, reflecting nationwide implementation and sustained budgetary support.
- ONORC reach: ONORC is operational across all 36 States/UTs, allowing beneficiaries to lift their entitlements from any FPS using existing ration cards and Aadhaar.
Oil And Sugar: What’s Officially Included
- Central entitlement: The central provisioning guarantees free foodgrains rice or wheat under NFSA; oil and sugar are not universally included under the central scheme.
- State variation: Distribution of subsidized sugar or edible oil, where applicable, is notified by individual states via separate orders or schemes and varies by location and month.
LPG Gas Cylinder: What PMUY Families Get In 2025–26
- Targeted subsidy: The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder subsidy for up to nine refills during FY 2025–26 for PMUY consumers, with a budgetary provision of ₹12,000 crore.
- Connection support: Ujjwala connections remain deposit-free, with a free first refill and stove available under ongoing modalities to ease clean cooking adoption for poor households.
Eligibility And Documents At-A-Glance
- NFSA eligibility: States identify AAY and PHH households; AAY is reserved for the poorest families, while PHH covers other priority low-income households.
- Documents and drawal: Carry your ration card and Aadhaar for ePoS authentication at the fair price shop; verify the PoS slip for correct quantity and zero pricing.
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How To Claim Your Free Ration This Month
- Visit FPS within cycle: Go to your assigned fair price shop during the monthly distribution window; authenticate biometrics and collect your free allotment.
- Use portability if needed: If you’ve migrated, use ONORC to lift entitlements at your present location while family members can lift theirs elsewhere, as per portability rules.
FAQs on Ration Card Update
Is wheat or rice free under the scheme?
Will oil and sugar be given free with the ration card?
How many beneficiaries are getting free ration now?
What is the LPG benefit for PMUY in 2025–26?
Is there any impact on entitlements if I move to a new city for work?
Your entitlements remain intact. Use ONORC portability to lift your ration at your new location. Your family members back home can simultaneously lift their share, subject to the total household entitlement.
What LPG support can PMUY consumers expect this financial year?
PMUY households are eligible for a targeted subsidy per 14.2 kg cylinder for a limited number of refills within the current financial year. Ensure your KYC is complete, and bank details are linked with your LPG account to receive the credit.
