The Union Cabinet has approved a landmark upgrade to rice quality standards under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), marking the first such reform in nearly three decades.
The permissible limit has been reduced from 25 per cent to 10 per cent for raw rice and from 16 per cent to 5 per cent for parboiled rice.
The decision will benefit over 80 crore beneficiaries who receive free food grains through the public distribution system.
Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the reform ensures better-quality food with dignity for all eligible families.
Every eligible family will continue to receive the same entitlement under PMGKAY, now with significantly improved quality.
The Centre distributes 5 kg of rice or wheat free of cost every month to more than 80 crore beneficiaries under the PMGKAY.
The government has integrated QR-based traceability tracking across the supply chain to enhance transparency and prevent pilferage.
The government has integrated QR-based traceability tracking across the supply chain, allowing for end-to-end verification of grain batches and prevent pilferage and maintain accountability.
The reform also addresses nutritional concerns, as all PDS rice distributed across the country is now enriched with essential micronutrients - Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 - to combat malnutrition and anemia.
The quality upgrade is expected to generate substantial cost savings and environmental benefits.
Union Food Minister Prahlad Joshi, in a late-night post on social media platform X, said the estimated savings from reduced logistics and storage costs would be around Rs 2,161 crore.
Additionally, officials indicated that the move will also free up an estimated 8-9 million tonnes of surplus broken rice for ethanol production.
The decision reflects the government's commitment to strengthening India's food security architecture through tightened milling parameters.
This shift ensures premium, uniform grain quality and improved processing standards for all eligible families under the PMGKAY scheme.
The reform represents a comprehensive approach to food welfare, combining improved quality, technological innovation, and fiscal responsibility whilst maintaining universal coverage under the National Food Security Act.