Key facts
- Kerala began distributing free food kits to ration card holders in early April 2020; Deccan Herald reported distribution starting on 9 April 2020, with ₹350 crore allotted as a first instalment.
- In 2021 the Onam kit went to all ration card colours in phases, starting with yellow (AAY) cards and ending with white cards by 16 August 2021 (Onmanorama, 1 August 2021).
- Free Onam kits were distributed to about 87 lakh ration card holders in 2022, Onmanorama reported in August 2023.
- On 16 August 2023 the Kerala cabinet limited free Onam kits to yellow-card holders and welfare institution inmates, citing the state’s financial position (Onmanorama, 28 August 2023).
- For Onam 2026, Onmanorama reported over 6 lakh free kits with 16 items for yellow-card households and welfare institutions, with distribution from 10 August.
How Kerala’s ration cards work
Kerala’s ration cards are colour-coded. Yellow cards are for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, the poorest; pink for priority households (PHH); blue and white for non-priority households. In August 2023 Onmanorama reported 5.87 lakh yellow cards and 35.54 lakh pink cards out of 93.88 lakh ration cards in the state. Kits are distributed through the ration shop where the card is registered and packed by Supplyco, the state civil supplies corporation. Portability for migrant workers is covered in our One Nation One Ration Card guide.
Timeline
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Late March 2020 | State announces free ration grain for all families during lockdown | Onmanorama (25 & 30 Mar 2020) |
| 9 April 2020 | Distribution of free food kits to ration card holders begins | Deccan Herald |
| 2020–2021 | Kits continue in further rounds, with monthly kits reported in 2021 | Onmanorama; The News Minute |
| May–June 2021 | About 85.29 lakh kits delivered in May and 83.62 lakh in June | Onmanorama (1 Aug 2021) |
| 31 July–16 August 2021 | Onam kit for all card colours, distributed in phases | Onmanorama (1 Aug 2021) |
| 2022 | Onam kits for about 87 lakh card holders | Onmanorama (28 Aug 2023) |
| 16 August 2023 | Cabinet limits Onam kits to yellow cards and welfare institutions | Onmanorama |
| September 2024 | Yellow-card-only Onam kit of 14 items; all cards in Wayanad landslide areas included | Onmanorama (2 Sep 2024) |
| 2025 | 15-item kit planned for about 6 lakh yellow-card families | Kerala Kaumudi |
| 10–25 August 2026 | Over 6 lakh 16-item kits for yellow cards and welfare institutions | Onmanorama (28 Jul 2026); Deccan Chronicle |
2020: the Covid kits
As the national lockdown began, Kerala announced free rice for all ration card holders, with free ration distribution from 1 April 2020, Onmanorama reported. A free grocery kit followed: Deccan Herald reported that distribution of the kits began on 9 April 2020, after the Chief Minister announced ₹350 crore as the first instalment; one estimate put the full cost at around ₹800 crore for about 87 lakh families. Kerala Kaumudi listed 17 items worth about ₹1,000, including sugar, tea, chickpeas, coconut oil, atta, dal, spices and soap, though other reports gave slightly different lists. Kits were collected from the ration shop where the card was registered, and those in home quarantine could have them delivered.
The kits continued well beyond the first lockdown. The News Minute reported a later announcement by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that kits would continue for another four months, and Onmanorama reported about 85.29 lakh kits delivered in May 2021 and 83.62 lakh in June 2021.
2021 and 2022: Onam kits for everyone
The 2021 Onam kit was launched by Food Minister G. R. Anil at a ration shop in Thiruvananthapuram and handed out in phases: yellow cards until 3 August, pink 4–7 August, blue 9–12 August and white 13–16 August. It contained more than 15 items, including sugar, salt, wheat flour, coconut oil, green gram, tur dal, spices, banana chips, sharkara varatti, semiya or palada, cashews, cardamom, ghee and a bath soap (Onmanorama, 1 August 2021). In 2022, free Onam kits again went to about 87 lakh card holders, according to Onmanorama’s later report.
2023 onwards: yellow cards only
On 16 August 2023 the state cabinet decided that free Onam kits would go only to yellow-card households and inmates of welfare institutions, about 6 lakh kits, citing the state’s finances (Onmanorama, 28 August 2023). Pink-card BPL households were excluded that year. The decision became political when Supplyco announced kits for MLAs, ministers and the Chief Secretary; Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan said UDF MPs and MLAs would not accept them.
The yellow-only rule continued. In 2024 Onmanorama reported a 14-item kit for yellow cards and welfare institutions, with every card in the Wayanad landslide areas also eligible. In 2025 Kerala Kaumudi reported a 15-item kit for about six lakh yellow-card families. For Onam 2026, Onmanorama reported more than 6 lakh free kits with 16 items, and Deccan Chronicle reported distribution starting on 10 August, with ₹53 crore sanctioned.
If you hold a pink, blue or white card, you were not eligible for the free Onam kit from 2023 to 2026. Check Supplyco outlets for any Onam sales open to all card holders.
Why it matters near the NAD signal
Most hostel men don’t hold a Kerala ration card, so the kits rarely reach them directly, but Onam prices, Supplyco fairs and ration rules shape what groceries cost around Kalamassery. Our Onam shopping guide, hostel kitchen shopping list and the story of Janakeeya ₹20 meals fill in the picture. At Ashraf Gents Hostel on NAD Road, men cook for themselves in a shared kitchen, so these prices matter. More dated stories are in the Kalamassery history archive.
Frequently asked questions
When did Kerala start giving free food kits?
In early April 2020, during the Covid lockdown. Deccan Herald reported distribution beginning on 9 April 2020.
Who gets the free Onam kit now?
Since 2023, only yellow (AAY) ration card holders and inmates of welfare institutions, about 6 lakh kits a year.
Did everyone get an Onam kit in 2021 and 2022?
Yes. In 2021 all card colours received kits in phases, and in 2022 about 87 lakh card holders received them.
How many items were in the 2026 Onam kit?
Onmanorama reported 16 items for Onam 2026, distributed from 10 August.
Can a migrant worker get a kit?
Kits are tied to Kerala ration cards and collected at the registered ration shop. Workers with cards from other states use One Nation One Ration Card for regular rations, not state kits.
Related guides
Sources
- Deccan Herald: Kerala govt commences distribution of food kits for ration card holders (9 Apr 2020)
- Onmanorama: Free ration supplies to be available in Kerala from April 1 (30 Mar 2020)
- Onmanorama: Onam food kits Kerala (1 Aug 2021)
- Onmanorama: UDF MPs, MLAs refuse to accept Onam food kits (28 Aug 2023)
- Onmanorama: Kerala govt to distribute free food kits for Onam (2 Sep 2024)
- Onmanorama: Kerala’s Onam preparations in final phase; 6.09 lakh free kits (28 Jul 2026)
- Deccan Chronicle: Kerala government gears up for Onam, free Supplyco kits from August 10
Facts about Ashraf Gents Hostel come from the hostel’s own profile and photos; rates are indicative and confirmed on the call. Last reviewed . How we write these guides: editorial notes. Map embeds © Google.
Cite this guide: Ashraf Gents Hostel. “Kerala’s Free Food Kits and Ration Changes since 2020.” Published 8 October 2026. https://ashrafgentspghostel.adserr.com/kerala-ration-and-onam-kit-history/ Plain-text (Markdown) version · quoting with a link back is welcome.