**Executive Summary**
The Government has decided to temporarily discontinue rice fortification under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and allied schemes, effective immediately, until a more effective nutrient delivery mechanism is identified. This decision follows a review and a study by IIT Kharagpur that assessed the shelf life of fortified rice. States/UTs have flexibility for KMS 2025-26 (Kharif Crop) and pending KMS 2024-25 receipts.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Discontinuation of Rice Fortification:**
* The process of rice fortification under PMGKAY and allied schemes is temporarily discontinued.
* This is due to findings regarding the shelf life and stability of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR).
* The discontinuation is until a more effective nutrient delivery mechanism is developed.
* **IIT Kharagpur Study Findings:**
* Factors like moisture content, storage conditions, temperature, humidity, and packaging influence FRK and FR stability and shelf life.
* FRK and FR are susceptible to micronutrient reduction and shelf life shortening during prolonged storage and handling.
* This reduces the effective shelf life, limiting nutritional outcomes.
* Rice remains in storage for two to three years, leading to potential degradation.
* **Central Pool Availability:**
* Against an annual allocation of 372 LMT under PMGKAY and other welfare schemes, the total availability in the central pool is projected at 674 LMT, including receipts due from KMS 2025-26.
* **Impact on Existing Programs:**
* The temporary discontinuation does not reduce foodgrain entitlements.
* Operations under the PDS, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), or the Mid-Day Meal Scheme will not be affected.
* **Flexibility for States/UTs:**
* For KMS 2025â26 (Kharif Crop) and pending receipts from KMS 2024â25, States/UTs have the flexibility to supply either fortified or non-fortified rice.
* This decision is at their discretion, considering operational and logistical factors.
**Impact Analysis**
**States/UTs**
* **Impact:** States/UTs are granted flexibility in supplying fortified or non-fortified rice for KMS 2025-26 (Kharif Crop) and pending KMS 2024-25 receipts.
* **Action Required:** States/UTs must decide whether to supply fortified or non-fortified rice, considering operational and logistical factors.
**Beneficiaries of PMGKAY and Allied Schemes**
* **Impact:** Benefit from a review of the Rice Fortification process for the PMGKAY and allied schemes.
* **Action Required:** None.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): A food security scheme under which rice fortification is being discontinued temporarily.
KMS 2025-26: Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26, a period relevant to the implementation of the policy regarding rice fortification.
IIT Kharagpur: The institute that conducted a study on the shelf life of fortified rice kernels and fortified rice.
Public Distribution System (PDS): A food security system mentioned as not being affected by the temporary discontinuation.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Recalibration of Nutrition Intervention â
Temporary Discontinuation of Rice Fortification
Posted On: 27 FEB 2026 9:41PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has reviewed the implementation of rice fortification under the Pradhan Mantri Garib
Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes of the Government of India. Based on this
review, it has been decided to temporarily discontinue the process of rice fortification under PMGKAY
and allied schemes until a more effective mechanism for delivery of nutrients to beneficiaries is identified.
A study was assigned by the Government to IIT Kharagpur to assess the shelf life of Fortified Rice
Kernels (FRK) and Fortified Rice (FR) under actual storage conditions in diverse agro climatic zones in
the country. The report concludes that factors such as moisture content, storage conditions, temperature,
relative humidity and packaging material critically influence the stability and shelf life of FRK and FR.
They are susceptible to micronutrient reduction and shortening of shelf life during prolonged storage and
routine handling. This reduction is rendering the effective shelf life shorter than expected and, in turn,
limiting the intended nutritional outcomes. Considering procurement volumes and annual offtake, rice
remains in storage for two to three years. Against an annual allocation of 372 LMT under PMGKAY and
other welfare scheme, the total availability in the central pool is projected at 674 LMT, including receipts
due from KMS 2025-26.
In view of these findings, it has been decided to temporarily discontinue fortification of rice until a more
robust and effective nutrient delivery mechanism is developed and operationalised.
This decision of temporary discontinuation of fortification process does not entail any reduction in
foodgrain entitlements and will not affect operations under the PDS, Integrated Child Development
Services (ICDS), or the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
For KMS 2025â26 (Kharif Crop), as well as pending receipts from KMS 2024â25, States/UTs have been
given flexibility, as a transitional measure, to supply either fortified rice or non-fortified rice, at their
discretion, keeping in view operational and logistical considerations.
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IA
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