The Department of Food and Public Distribution has released the draft National Food Security (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for public consultation. The proposed amendment seeks to replace the current household-based entitlement under the AAY scheme with a per-person entitlement while retaining an overall cap of 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month.
The proposed changes seek to “remove intra-category inequities and provide for a more equitable and rational allocation of foodgrains while aligning beneficiary entitlements more closely with household nutritional requirements,” says the draft Bill.
At present, every AAY household receives a fixed 35 kg of foodgrains each month, irrespective of family size. The government said that this arrangement has created disparities, with smaller families receiving a higher per-capita allocation than larger households.
Under the proposed amendment, each individual belonging to an AAY household would be entitled to 7 kg of foodgrains per month at subsidised rates. However, the total entitlement for any household would remain capped at 35 kg per month.
In some cases, members of large AAY families receive less foodgrain per person than beneficiaries with small families. While a 5-member household still gets the 35 kg cap, families with fewer than 5 members will have monthly rations adjusted down based on size. A family of 3, for example, will receive 21 kg.
“The existing household-based entitlement under Antyodaya Anna Yojana, though intended as a protective measure for the most vulnerable families, results in significant inequities depending upon the size of the household. Smaller households receive a higher per-capita entitlement, whereas larger households receive a lower per-capita entitlement, which may fall below the entitlement available to priority households. The aim and purpose are to remove intra-category inequities, provide for more rational food grain allocation and better align entitlements with nutritional requirements,” notes the paper.According to the government, the changes are intended to remove intra-category inequities, make foodgrain allocation more rational and better align entitlements with nutritional requirements.
The government has invited comments and feedback from stakeholders and the public on the draft Bill. Suggestions can be submitted to the Department of Food and Public Distribution until July 13, 2026.