SchemesTuesday, 14 July 2026·The Hindu - Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu’s AAY rice drawal, NFSA 2013 entitlement and PMGKAY extension: key food security facts
Tamil Nadu drew less rice than its AAY quota in five of seven years, while the Centre’s proposed change and PMGKAY extension raise food-security questions.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, Tamil Nadu’s AAY ration-card issue came into focus as the State said the Centre’s proposed change could affect the existing 35 kg per household entitlement under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
Key specifics
- Under the proposed amendment, AAY supply would become 7 kg per person per month, subject to a 35 kg ceiling per household.
- Tamil Nadu said nearly 70 lakh vulnerable people could be affected if the change is implemented.
- As of now, the State has 18,64,600 AAY ration cards covering 69,26,983 beneficiaries.
- For 2025-26, the allocated AAY rice quantity was around 6.99 lakh tonnes, and utilisation exceeded 100% in 2019-20 and 2025-26.
- The Union government extended PMGKAY for five years from 1 January 2024 after making rice free for AAY and PHH cards from 1 January 2023.
Exam lens
TNPSC polity-scheme question: AAY, NFSA 2013, PMGKAY, 35 kg household entitlement, 7 kg per person, and Tamil Nadu’s 18,64,600 ration cards are the key facts for a match-the-following or statement-based question.