National Food Security Act: who is covered and what each household is entitled to

National Scheme Agriculture & Rural Polity & Governance

National Food Security Act: who is covered and what each household is entitled to

Background

The Act covers up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households.
AAY households, the poorest of the poor, are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month.
Priority households are entitled to 5 kg per person per month.
State-wise coverage was determined by the erstwhile Planning Commission, now NITI Aayog, using the NSSO's Household Consumption Survey data.
Under Section 10, each State or Union Territory identifies the AAY households first and the remaining households as priority households.
The Act also provides free nutritious meals to pregnant women, lactating mothers and children, and maternity benefits of Rs. 6000.

Rural coverage: Up to 75% Urban coverage: Up to 50% AAY entitlement: 35 kg per family per month Priority household entitlement: 5 kg per person per month

Why it matters for exams: Coverage percentages and per-household entitlements under the food security law are staple questions in polity, economy and schemes sections.

Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank

3 October 2026 Source: Department of Food and Public Distribution, National Food Security Portal Updated 4 October 2026

In plain words

AAY Antyodaya Anna Yojana — The category of poorest households that receive a fixed family entitlement of foodgrains.

TPDS Targeted Public Distribution System — The system that supplies subsidised foodgrains to identified households.