NFSA – National Food security Act/Card

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), introduced in 2013, aims to provide affordable food to millions of people in India. It covers up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, ensuring subsidised food grains for about two-thirds of the country. By making food a legal right, the Act helps reduce hunger and improve access to basic nutrition.

The NFSA brings together key schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-Day Meals (MDM), and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Each person is entitled to 5 kg of food grains per month at low prices. It aims at supporting children, women, and the elderly, ensuring the needy groups have access to food.

The National Food Security Act ensures subsidised food grains for eligible households. The key objectives of the NFSA include:

• Making food grains accessible to eligible households through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)

• Ensuring nutritional security by integrating schemes like the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

• Providing food grains at affordable rates such as ₹3 per kg for rice, ₹2 per kg for wheat, and ₹1 per kg for coarse grains.

• Upholding the constitutional principle of enabling every individual to live with dignity by ensuring food security.

The Act focuses on needy groups, including children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. It ensures food is a legal right for over two-thirds of the population.

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) helps ensure affordable food for families in need through ration cards. It divides beneficiaries into two groups: Priority Households (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families. People in PHH get 5 kg of food grains per month, while AAY families receive 35 kg per household. 

These subsidised food grains are provided through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). NFSA makes ration cards an important way to support the affected communities, ensuring they have access to basic food and nutrition for a dignified life.

Under the National Food Security Act, certain households are classified as ‘eligible’ to receive subsidised food grains. These households are divided into two categories:

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

This category includes the "poorest of the poor" households, who are entitled to 35 kg of food grains per family per month. The households include sections of society, such as landless labourers, marginal farmers, and slum dwellers.

Priority Households (PHH)

Individuals in this group receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). States identify these households using specific criteria to provide food security for the needy groups.

The National Food Security Act provides specific entitlements and security allowances to ensure food access for eligible households. Here are the key provisions:

Individual Entitlement 

Each eligible individual is entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains every month. This ensures that households have access to affordable and adequate food supplies.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

AAY households, identified as the poorest of the poor, are entitled to 35 kg of food grains per month. This provision ensures greater food support for the most vulnerable families.

Subsidised Pricing

Food grains are available at subsidised rates of ₹3 per kg for rice, ₹2 per kg for wheat, and ₹1 per kg for coarse grains. These prices were originally set for three years, with any future changes determined by the Central Government.

Food Security Allowance

In case of a food grain shortage, beneficiaries are provided with a food security allowance to maintain access to essential supplies. This allowance compensates for the deficit and is issued in a form decided by the government.

The National Food Security Act prioritises the well-being of women and children through specific provisions:

Pregnant and Lactating Women

They are entitled to free meals during pregnancy and up to six months after childbirth under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Additionally, they receive a maternity benefit of ₹6,000 to support their nutritional and health needs.

Children Aged 6 Months to 6 Years

Free meals are provided through the ICDS scheme to promote early childhood nutrition and development.

Children Aged 6 to 14 Years

They are entitled to free mid-day meals in government and government-aided schools, ensuring both nutrition and support for education.

These measures aim to enhance nutrition during critical life stages, fostering healthier and more secure futures for women and children.

The National Food Security Act includes provisions that promote the empowerment of women:

• The eldest woman in the household, aged 18 or above, is designated as the head for issuing ration cards under the Act

• If no female member meets this age criterion, the eldest male acts as the head until a female member reaches the age of 18

These measures aim to enhance women’s roles in household decision-making, ensuring their active participation in securing food entitlements.

The National Food Security Act of 2013 mandates that every state establish a grievance redressal mechanism to address complaints related to the Act’s implementation. These mechanisms may include helplines, call centres, and nodal officers to ensure effective resolution of issues, promoting accountability and transparency in delivering food entitlements.

To obtain a ration card under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), an applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be a citizen of India to qualify for a ration card

• The applicant cannot hold a ration card from any other state or household

• The applicant must reside in the state where the ration card is being applied for

• Eligibility is based on state-specific income and economic criteria for ration cards under TPDS

State governments verify applications and issue ration cards to eligible households as per the guidelines of the National Food Security Act.

To apply for a ration card under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), applicants must provide the following documents:

• A duly filled and signed application form, specific to the applicant’s state

• Documents such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card, or any other government-issued ID

• Utility bills, rental agreements, or domicile certificates confirming residency in the state

• A passport-sized photograph of the family’s head, as designated under the NFSA

• An income certificate may be required for categories like Priority Households (PHH) or Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

• Previous ration cards must be surrendered to avoid duplication

Some states may charge a nominal fee for processing ration card applications, while others offer it free of cost. Applicants should check the fee structure on their respective state’s food and civil supplies portal.

The NFSA aims to ensure that no citizen suffers from hunger or malnutrition. By providing subsidised food grains to the affected sections of society, it strives to fulfil the basic nutritional needs of people across rural and urban areas.

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) is a cornerstone in India’s fight against hunger and malnutrition, ensuring access to subsidised food grains for eligible households. Applying for a ration card not only enables access to these benefits but also provides a crucial document for identification and address verification. 

By taking timely action to apply for a ration card, you can secure food entitlements and improve your household’s financial and nutritional stability. This Act reflects a collective effort to create a society where no one goes hungry, reinforcing the importance of timely and equitable access to resources.