Food Corporation of India (FCI)
Role and Buffer Stock Norms
FCI was established under the Food Corporations Act, 1964, and commenced operations in January 1965. It is the apex central agency responsible for procurement, storage, movement, and distribution of foodgrains under the central pool. FCI operates across all states, coordinating with State Civil Supplies Corporations (SCSCs) and other state agencies.
FCI maintains two categories of grain stocks:
- Operational stocks: grains being actively used for PDS/NFSA distribution
- Buffer stocks (Strategic reserve): maintained as a food security buffer against production shortfalls and price spikes
Buffer norms specify the minimum stocks FCI must hold at different points in the year. In addition to operational stocks, the strategic reserve mandates: 20 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of rice and 30 LMT of wheat year-round.
As of mid-2025, total central pool stocks (rice + wheat) exceeded 730 LMT — more than double the combined buffer norms of approximately 307.7 LMT — reflecting years of aggressive procurement.
- FCI established: under Food Corporations Act, 1964; operations began January 1965
- Parent Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
- Strategic reserve norms: 20 LMT rice + 30 LMT wheat (year-round)
- Operational stocks: vary seasonally (higher post-harvest, lower pre-harvest)
- FCI's central pool stocks (July 2025): ~358 LMT wheat + ~377 LMT rice = ~735 LMT total
- Buffer norm (July): 275 LMT wheat + 135 LMT rice = ~410 LMT
- Excess stocks above norms create carrying costs and fiscal pressure on the food subsidy bill
● Tracked since February 18, 2026 · last seen May 13, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes