The National Food Security Act 2013 provides legal entitlement to subsidized food grains for 67% of India's population. Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, beneficiaries receive 5kg rice/wheat monthly at Rs.2-3/kg through Public Distribution System. Coverage includes 75% rural and 50% urban population. Recent reforms include digitization, direct benefit transfer pilots, and One Nation One Ration Card enabling interstate portability. COVID-19 saw additional free grain distribution to 80 crore people, highlighting PDS's critical safety net role.

India's food security framework evolved from subsidy-based system to rights-based approach through NFSA 2013, making food a legal entitlement rather than welfare measure. The Act mandates central government to provide food grains to states at economic cost, with states responsible for distribution through Fair Price Shops. PDS reforms address traditional leakages through technology integration - Aadhaar seeding, electronic Point of Sale devices, and GPS tracking of food grain movement. One Nation One Ration Card enables migrant workers to access rations anywhere in India, crucial for food security of mobile populations. Direct Benefit Transfer pilots in select districts test cash transfers versus in-kind distribution efficiency. The system covers Antyodaya Anna Yojana households (poorest) receiving 35kg monthly, Priority Households getting 5kg per person, and general category excluded from coverage. State governments can expand coverage beyond central norms. During COVID-19, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana provided additional 5kg free grains monthly, demonstrating PDS scalability during crises. Key challenges include identification errors, exclusion of vulnerable groups, interstate migration complications, and rural-urban coverage disparities. Success metrics include reduced hunger indices and improved nutritional outcomes, though efficiency gains through technology adoption remain central to reform agenda.