Ration Card Types: AAY, PHH, BPL and APL Explained
Under the National Food Security Act there are only two ration card categories: Antyodaya (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH). Here is what they mean, how older BPL and APL labels fit in, and what each family gets.
- NFSA categories
- AAY and Priority Households (PHH)
- AAY entitlement
- 35 kg foodgrains per household per month
- PHH entitlement
- 5 kg per person per month
- Price
- Free under PMGKAY (5 years from 1 Jan 2024)
- MP cards
- 1,31,34,379 (AAY 13,90,673; PHH 1,17,43,706)
People often hear many names for ration cards: Antyodaya, PHH, BPL, APL and various local names. Since the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), the law recognises only two categories of beneficiaries: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY, अंत्योदय) and Priority Households (PHH, प्राथमिक परिवार). Other names are older labels or state-specific terms.
This guide explains each type in simple words, with entitlements from official sources and Madhya Pradesh figures. It is an independent information guide, not a government website.
हिंदी में सारांश
राष्ट्रीय खाद्य सुरक्षा अधिनियम (एनएफएसए) में राशन कार्ड की केवल दो श्रेणियां हैं: अंत्योदय अन्न योजना (एएवाई) और प्राथमिक परिवार (पीएचएच)। अंत्योदय परिवार को हर महीने 35 किलो अनाज और प्राथमिक परिवार को प्रति व्यक्ति 5 किलो अनाज मिलता है। पीएमजीकेएवाई के तहत 1 जनवरी 2024 से पांच साल तक यह अनाज मुफ्त है। बीपीएल और एपीएल पुराने नाम हैं, जो कुछ राज्यों में अब भी दिखते हैं। मध्य प्रदेश में nfsa.gov.in के अनुसार 1,31,34,379 राशन कार्ड हैं, जिनमें 13,90,673 अंत्योदय और 1,17,43,706 प्राथमिक परिवार कार्ड हैं। एमपी में हर परिवार को 1 किलो नमक और अंत्योदय परिवार को 20 रुपये किलो शक्कर मिलती है। कार्ड की श्रेणी बदलवाने के लिए किसी दलाल को पैसे न दें।
AAY and PHH: the two NFSA categories
According to nfsa.gov.in, NFSA covers up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population through these two groups:
| Type | Who it is for | Monthly grain |
|---|---|---|
| Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) | The poorest households | 35 kg per household, whatever the family size |
| Priority Households (PHH) | Other eligible households identified by the state | 5 kg per person |
So a PHH family of five gets 25 kg a month, while an AAY family of three still gets 35 kg. States decide who falls in PHH using their own inclusion and exclusion rules. Nationally, PRS reports 2.3 crore AAY and 18.3 crore PHH households as of January 2026.
Is ration free? PMGKAY explained
Under the original NFSA, grain was sold at Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 for wheat and Rs 1 for coarse grains. That is now historical. Grain has been free since 1 January 2023 under the integrated Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
On 29 November 2023 the Union Cabinet approved free foodgrains for about 81.35 crore NFSA beneficiaries for five years from 1 January 2024, at an estimated cost of Rs 11.80 lakh crore (pmindia.gov.in). Five years from that date runs to 31 December 2028; PRS words it as continuing "until 2029". Both AAY and PHH cards get free grain.
What about BPL and APL cards?
Before NFSA, many states labelled cards BPL (below poverty line) and APL (above poverty line). How these older cards were moved into NFSA was decided state by state. In Madhya Pradesh, for example, the 2013 NFSA list started with BPL card holders (AAY and BPL) and added further priority groups.
Today, what matters for free grain is whether your card is an NFSA AAY or PHH card. You may still see BPL, APL or other local names on cards or websites. If you are not sure which category your card falls under, check your state's ration card portal (listed on nfsa.gov.in) or ask your local supply office.
How to find out your card type: step by step
- Look at your card or slip. It usually shows the category, such as AAY, PHH or a local name.
- Check the last ePoS receipt from your ration shop. It shows how much grain was issued, which hints at your category (35 kg for the family means AAY).
- Open the official ration card portal for your state from the nfsa.gov.in list. In MP, use the Ration Mitra pages.
- Search for your card using the method the portal offers. Labels change, so look for "RC details" or "beneficiary details".
- Use the Mera Ration app to see your entitlement.
- If the category looks wrong, ask your supply office how to apply for a correction.
Ration card types in Madhya Pradesh
MP uses the same two NFSA groups. The MP State Civil Supplies Corporation (mpscsc.mp.gov.in) lists these entitlements:
| Item | Priority household | AAY |
|---|---|---|
| Foodgrain | 5 kg per member per month | 35 kg per family per month |
| Salt | 1 kg per family | 1 kg per family |
| Sugar | Not listed | Rs 20 per kg |
Double-fortified salt goes to about 25.60 lakh families in 89 tribal blocks, and iodised salt to about 92.6 lakh families elsewhere. The central portal (nfsa.gov.in/state/MP, updated 13 October 2026) lists 1,31,34,379 MP ration cards: 13,90,673 AAY and 1,17,43,706 PHH.
Within PHH, MP identifies families through many eligibility categories. News reports say there are 28 categories now; the exact current list was not confirmed. See MP eligibility categories and khadyan parchi MP.
Other NFSA benefits linked to food security
NFSA is not only about ration cards. nfsa.gov.in also lists meals through ICDS (anganwadi) and the mid-day meal scheme, and a maternity benefit of Rs 6,000. These are separate schemes with their own rules, so ask at your anganwadi or school.
Beware of "card upgrade" offers
- No agent can "upgrade" a PHH card to AAY for a fee. Category changes go through official verification.
- Never share an OTP or Aadhaar with callers offering a better card.
- Check entitlements only on official portals or apps. To apply for a new card, see new ration card apply.
Frequently asked questions
What are the types of ration cards in India?
Under the National Food Security Act there are two categories: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) for the poorest households and Priority Households (PHH) for other eligible families identified by the state. Older labels such as BPL and APL, and colour names, are state-specific or pre-NFSA terms.
What is an Antyodaya ration card?
An Antyodaya (AAY) card is for the poorest households under NFSA. It gives 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month, regardless of family size. Under PMGKAY this grain is free. In Madhya Pradesh, AAY families also get sugar at Rs 20 per kg and 1 kg of salt per family.
What is a PHH ration card?
PHH stands for Priority Household, called प्राथमिक परिवार in Hindi. A PHH card gives 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month, so the total depends on family size. States decide who qualifies as PHH using their own criteria. The grain is free under PMGKAY.
What is the difference between BPL and APL ration cards?
BPL (below poverty line) and APL (above poverty line) were labels used by many states before NFSA. Under NFSA, entitlements depend on whether your card is AAY or PHH. Some states still show BPL or APL names. Check your state's ration card portal or supply office to confirm your NFSA category.
Is ration free for all card types?
Free grain under PMGKAY covers NFSA beneficiaries, meaning AAY and PHH cardholders. The Union Cabinet approved it for five years from 1 January 2024 for about 81.35 crore people. Cards issued outside NFSA by a state may follow different rules, so check with your state food department.
How many AAY and PHH cards are there in MP?
The nfsa.gov.in Madhya Pradesh page, updated 13 October 2026, lists 1,31,34,379 ration cards in MP. Of these, 13,90,673 are AAY and 1,17,43,706 are PHH. The figures are as per last reporting and change as cards are added or removed.
Sources: nfsa.gov.in coverage and entitlements · mpscsc.mp.gov.in PDS · nfsa.gov.in MP state page · pmindia.gov.in PMGKAY decision · PRS DFG 2026-27 analysis · Right to Food Campaign, MP. Checked 14 October 2026. Rules change: always confirm on the official portal.