Anna Bhagya Scheme 2025 | A comprehensive Guide

The Anna Bhagya Scheme is a flagship welfare initiative by the Government of Karnataka aimed at ensuring food security for economically weaker sections of society. Launched in 2013, the scheme has undergone several updates to enhance its reach and effectiveness. As of 2025, the scheme provides 10 kg of free rice per person per month to eligible beneficiaries.​

Background and Evolution

Introduced in 2013 under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Anna Bhagya Scheme was designed to combat hunger and malnutrition among Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in Karnataka. Initially, the scheme provided 7 kg of rice per person per month. Over the years, the quantity and delivery mechanisms have been revised to better serve the beneficiaries.​

In July 2023, the scheme was relaunched with a provision of 5 kg of rice and a cash transfer of ₹170 per person to compensate for an additional 5 kg of rice. However, due to procurement challenges, the state government decided to provide the entire 10 kg of rice directly from February 2025 onwards, eliminating the cash component .​

Objectives

The primary goals of the Anna Bhagya Scheme are:

Food Security: To ensure that BPL families have access to sufficient food grains.​

Nutritional Support: To improve the nutritional standards among the economically weaker sections.​

Poverty Alleviation: To reduce the financial burden on low-income families by providing essential food items for free.​

Key Features

Beneficiaries: The scheme targets BPL families and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholders in Karnataka.​

Quantity: Each eligible individual receives 10 kg of rice per month.​

Distribution Mechanism: Rice is distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) via fair price shops across the state.​

Cost to Government: The state procures rice at ₹22.50 per kg from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and incurs an additional ₹2.50 per kg for transportation, totaling ₹25 per kg .​

Eligibility Criteria

To avail the benefits of the Anna Bhagya Scheme, applicants must:

Be permanent residents of Karnataka.​

Possess a valid BPL or Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card linked to their Aadhaar number.​

Be above 18 years of age.​

Ensure no family member is employed in a government organization, as this disqualifies the household from the scheme .​

Application Process

Eligible beneficiaries are automatically included in the scheme based on their ration card status. There is no need for a separate application. Beneficiaries can collect their entitled rice from the nearest fair price shop by presenting their ration card.​

Recent Developments

In February 2025, the Karnataka government announced the discontinuation of the ₹170 cash transfer and reinstated the provision of the full 10 kg of rice per person per month. This decision was facilitated by the central government's approval for the state to procure additional rice from the FCI .​

The scheme now benefits approximately 4 crore people in Karnataka, with the state requiring 2.10 lakh tonnes of rice monthly to meet the demand .​

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its noble objectives, the Anna Bhagya Scheme has faced several challenges:​

Procurement Issues: Delays in procuring sufficient quantities of rice have previously led to temporary cash transfers instead of in-kind distribution.​

Financial Constraints: The scheme's substantial cost has raised concerns about the state's fiscal health, with critics arguing that it may divert funds from other developmental projects .

Implementation Delays: There have been instances of delayed distributions, causing inconvenience to beneficiaries .​

Conclusion

The Anna Bhagya Scheme remains a cornerstone of Karnataka's efforts to ensure food security for its economically disadvantaged citizens. While the scheme has undergone several modifications to enhance its effectiveness, challenges related to procurement, funding, and timely distribution persist. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure the scheme's sustainability and its continued positive impact on the lives of millions.​

Contact Information

For more details or assistance regarding the Anna Bhagya Scheme:

Toll-Free Numbers: 1967 / 1800-425-9339​

Govt Schemes India

Official Website: https://ahara.karnataka.gov.in​