Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), launched in December 2000 by the Government of India, represents a targeted intervention within the Public Distribution System (PDS) to address chronic hunger among the most destitute households. This paper examines the objectives, implementation mechanisms, impact, and challenges of AAY over two decades. By providing 35 kg of food grains per family per month at highly subsidized rates (₹3/kg for rice, ₹2/kg for wheat), AAY has significantly reduced food insecurity. However, issues such as identification errors, leakages, and coverage gaps persist. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for strengthening AAY’s effectiveness in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
The scale is enormous: as of 2023, AAY alone distributes over 9 million metric tons of food grains annually, costing the exchequer approximately ₹18,000 crore (US$2.2 billion) in subsidy. aay 4 page
A 2019 study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) found that AAY reduced the prevalence of moderate to severe food insecurity among beneficiary households by 28% compared to non-beneficiary BPL families. Monthly food expenditure dropped by 40% for AAY families, freeing income for other needs. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), launched in December 2000
Several independent studies and government reports highlight positive impacts: However, issues such as identification errors, leakages, and