“Uttar Pradesh’s enhanced food subsidy program under the National Food Security Act is transforming lives by providing free foodgrains to over 15 crore poor families. With rising allocations and digital reforms, the state ensures nutritional security, reduces poverty, and minimizes leakages, though challenges like targeting accuracy persist.”
Uttar Pradesh Strengthens Food Security for the Poor
Massive Reach of the Subsidy Program
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, has scaled up its food subsidy efforts under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, benefiting over 15 crore people. The state distributes free foodgrains to 3.59 crore ration cardholders, covering 81% of its rural and 59% of its urban population, aligning with NFSA mandates. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), integrated into NFSA, provides 5 kg of rice or wheat per person monthly, free of cost, to priority households (PHH) and 35 kg per household to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, the poorest of the poor.
Increased Budgetary Allocation
In 2024-25, Uttar Pradesh allocated ₹32,000 crore for food subsidies, a 10% increase from the previous year’s revised estimate of ₹29,000 crore, reflecting the state’s commitment to food security. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies procure approximately 14 million tonnes of rice and wheat annually for distribution through 79,000 fair price shops. This financial push addresses rising procurement costs and storage expenses, ensuring uninterrupted supply to beneficiaries.
Digital Reforms to Curb Leakages
The state has implemented Aadhaar-linked ration cards and e-POS (Point of Sale) machines at fair price shops, achieving 95% digitization. This has reduced leakages, previously estimated at 30% in 2018, to under 10% in 2024, according to state government reports. Real-time tracking and biometric authentication ensure foodgrains reach intended recipients, though occasional technical glitches and exclusion errors remain concerns.
Nutritional Impact and Challenges
A 2024 study by the Tata-Cornell Institute found that UP’s food subsidy program has lowered junk food purchases by 15% among low-income households, with increased spending on healthier accompaniments like spices and pulses. However, the program’s focus on cereals limits its impact on micronutrient deficiencies, with 60% of children under five in UP still facing stunting or anemia, as per the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21). Experts suggest including pulses and fortified foods to enhance nutritional outcomes.
Economic and Social Benefits
The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights that UP’s food subsidies have reduced the rural Gini coefficient from 0.28 in 2022-23 to 0.25 in 2023-24, indicating lower income inequality. The program has also freed up household budgets, enabling poor families to spend 20% more on education and healthcare, as per a 2023 NITI Aayog report. However, critics argue that the blanket coverage of 81 crore beneficiaries nationwide, including UP’s share, may include non-poor households, straining fiscal resources.
Future Reforms and Policy Debates
With poverty levels in UP dropping to 8% in 2024 (SBI Research), there’s a growing call to reassess NFSA coverage using the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24. Proposals include Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) for food purchases and limiting subsidies to the bottom 20% of households. The state is also piloting fortified rice distribution in 10 districts to combat malnutrition, with plans to expand by 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, government data, and studies from sources like the Economic Survey 2024-25, NITI Aayog, and Tata-Cornell Institute. Information is accurate as of September 2025 and subject to change based on policy updates.