Ration Card

A Ration Card is an essential document issued by state governments in India to households eligible for subsidized food grains and other essential commodities under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This card is a key part of India’s food security infrastructure and is used to access benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). It also serves as a recognized identity and address proof in various administrative processes.

Table of Contents:

• ⇾ Ration Card Scheme
• ⇾ Types of Ration Cards in India
• ⇾ Ration Card Eligibility
• ⇾ Documents Required for Ration Card
• ⇾ Apply for Ration Card
• ⇾ Steps to apply for Ration Card Online
• ⇾ Steps to apply for Ration Card Offline
• ⇾ Check Ration Card Status
• ⇾ e-Ration Card
• ⇾ Download Ration Card
• ⇾ Ration Card eKYC
• ⇾ Link Ration Card With Aadhaar
• ⇾ Ration Card Transfer from One State to Another
• ⇾ State-Wise Ration Card
• ⇾ Benefits of Having a Ration Card
• ⇾ One Nation One Ration Card Scheme (ONORC)
• ⇾ Frequently Asked Questions

Ration Card Scheme

The Ration Card scheme aims to ensure food access to economically weaker sections and supports multiple government initiatives such as the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC). This scheme allows eligible beneficiaries to access subsidized rations from any state in India, improving portability and accessibility.

Key Features:

• Access to subsidized food grains under the NFSA.
• Identity and address verification.
• Inclusion in other welfare schemes.
• Portability through ONORC for migrant workers and mobile populations.
• Integration with Aadhaar for transparency and reduced duplication.

Types of Ration Cards in India

States issue different types of Ration Cards based on household income and economic category. The main classifications are as follows:

Ration Card Eligibility

To apply for a Ration Card in India, an individual must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the state government. These criteria ensure that only deserving households benefit from subsidized food and essential goods.

General Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Should not already hold a ration card in any other Indian state
• Must live and cook separately from other families
• The applicant and listed family members should be closely related
• Should not possess another family card within the same state
• Income Limit: The income limit varies from state to state. The 2 main categories are BPL, APL & Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).

These conditions are established to prevent duplication and ensure fair distribution of ration benefits to all eligible citizens.

Disqualifying Criteria for a Ration Card

Let’s understand the basis on which you will not be eligible for a ration card:

• Own a four-wheeler (except for livelihood use like taxis or tractors)
• more than 2 hectares of irrigated land.
• Have a government job or receive a pension above a certain threshold.
• Own a house with modern amenities like AC, fridge, or generator (as per certain state guidelines).
• An income taxpayer in the household
• Holds a trade license, owns a business, or pays GST above the threshold (applicable in some states).
• Already possesses a ration card in another state or in another family’s name.

Note: These conditions may vary slightly based on the guidelines issued by the respective State Food & Civil Supplies Department.

Documents Required for Ration Card

Applicants are required to submit a set of documents when applying for a Ration Card at their local ration office. These documents help verify the applicant’s identity, address, income, and family details.

Apply for Ration Card

Applying for a Ration Card in India can be done through both online and offline methods. Here's a step-by-step guide for both modes of application.

Steps to apply for Ration Card Online

You can apply for a Ration Card online by visiting your state-specific government portal dedicated to ration card services.

1. Visit the official website and create an account using your mobile number and email address.
2. Fill out the online application form with your personal and family details.
3. Upload the required documents and select your nearest ration shop.
4. Review all the details and submit the application.
5. You will receive an application reference number for tracking purposes.
   Use this reference number on the portal to check the application status and updates.

Steps to apply for Ration Card Offline

If you prefer, you can also apply for a Ration Card by visiting a local ration shop or government office that handles ration card registrations.

1. Collect the application form from the local ration shop or food and civil supplies office and fill it out completely.
2. Attach all necessary documents, including photocopies for verification.
3. Submit the filled form and documents to the same office.
4. You’ll be given a reference number to track your application status.

Check Ration Card Status

Once you have successfully applied for a Ration Card, you can easily track the progress of your application online. Checking the Ration Card application status ensures transparency and keeps you informed about approval, verification, or any pending steps.

1. Visit the official website of the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department of your respective state.
2. On the homepage, click on the ‘e-Services’ tab.
3. From the dropdown, select ‘e-Status’, and then choose ‘New/Existing RC Request Status’ from the options on the left-hand menu.
4. Select your district or division as per your application.
5. Click on ‘Application Status of New Ration Card Applied’.
6. Choose your area, enter the Acknowledgement Number you received at the time of application, and click the ‘Go’ button.
7. The status of your ration card application will be displayed on the screen, showing the current stage of verification or approval.

e-Ration Card

An e-Ration Card is a PDF format of the Digital Ration Card issued by the Food and Supplies Department of various state governments, such as West Bengal. It holds the same validity as a printed ration card and allows beneficiaries to access subsidized food grains and kerosene from fair-price shops under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Steps to Download e-Ration Card PDF

Applicants can download the e-Ration Card after submitting and getting approval for their application. The process is simple and can be done entirely online.

1. Submit the ration card application online through the respective state’s Food and Supplies Department portal.
2. Visit the official website and navigate to the ‘Services’ menu.
3. Click on the “Ration Card” tab and choose the relevant link to apply for a new Digital Ration Card.
4. Complete the application form and submit it for processing.
5. Once the application is approved, an SMS notification is sent to the registered mobile number, confirming approval.
6. The SMS also contains a link to download the e-Ration Card in PDF format.
7. Applicants can download the e-Ration Card for all family members in digital format.
8. After approval, applicants can log in to the website using the OTP sent to their registered mobile number and view/download e-Ration Cards from their personal dashboard.

Download Ration Card

After your ration card application is approved, you can download the ration card online through official portals or digital platforms. The digital version, also known as an e-Ration Card, is equally valid and accepted at fair-price shops for availing Public Distribution System (PDS) benefits.

1. Download a Ration Card from the State PDS Portal

Follow these steps to download your ration card from the official state portal:

1. Visit your state PDS website or nfsa.gov.in, where your ration card was originally created.
2. Navigate to the ‘e-Services’ section and click on ‘e-Ration Card’.
3. Select the option like ‘Print Ration Card’, ‘e-Ration Card Download’, or ‘Get e-Ration Card’.
4. Fill in the online form with your name, date of birth, mobile number, Aadhaar number, and ration card number.
5. After verification by PDS authorities, you will be redirected to download the ration card in PDF format.

2. Download e-Ration Card via DigiLocker

You can also access your e-Ration Card through DigiLocker, provided by the Government of India.

1. Go to www.digilocker.gov.in.
2. Sign up or log in using your name, mobile number, and date of birth, and verify via OTP.
3. Once logged in, search for “Ration Card” in the search bar.
4. Choose your state’s Food and Civil Supplies Department from the list.
5. Enter your ration card number and district, then click on “Get Document”.
6. Your ration card will be available in the Issued Documents section.
7. You can now download it as a PDF file and use it for all official and subsidy-related purposes.

Ration Card eKYC

Ration Card eKYC is a digital process to link your Aadhaar with your ration card, ensuring only eligible households receive subsidized food under the Public Distribution System (PDS). It helps eliminate duplicate or fake ration cards and is mandatory in most states under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Process to Complete Ration Card eKYC

You can complete the ration card eKYC through:

• Online: Visit your state’s PDS portal, enter your ration card and Aadhaar details, verify via OTP, and submit.
• Offline: Visit your local ration office or fair price shop with Aadhaar copies of all family members. Biometric (fingerprint) authentication may be required.

Documents Required for Ration Card eKYC

• Ration Card
• Aadhaar cards of all family members
• Registered mobile number

Check your eKYC status using your ration card or Aadhaar number on your state’s PDS website.

Note: Failure to complete eKYC may lead to suspension of ration card benefits.

Link Ration Card With Aadhaar

Linking your Ration Card with Aadhaar ensures transparency and prevents duplication in the Public Distribution System (PDS). It helps in verifying beneficiaries and enables access to services such as e-Ration Cards and the One Nation One Ration Card scheme.

You can link Aadhaar to your Ration Card through both online and offline methods.

Steps to Link Ration Card with Aadhaar Online

Many states allow you to link your ration card online using your Aadhaar card. Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Visit your state’s Public Distribution System (PDS) portal.
2. Click on ‘Link Aadhaar with Ration Card’.
3. Enter your Ration Card number.
4. Enter your Aadhaar number.
5. Enter your registered mobile number.
6. Upload the required documents and click ‘Continue’ or ‘Submit’.
7. You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number.
8. Enter the OTP and confirm the request to link Aadhaar with your Ration Card.
9. Once completed, you will receive an SMS confirmation notifying you that the process is successful.

Steps to Link Aadhaar to Ration Card Offline

If you're unable to link online, you can also complete the process offline at your local ration office or PDS shop.

1. Visit your nearest ration shop or PDS office.
2. Carry photocopies of Aadhaar cards for all family members and a copy of your ration card.
3. Bring a photocopy of your bank passbook if your Aadhaar is not yet linked to your bank account.
4. Submit a passport-sized photograph of the head of the family along with all required documents.
5. The documents will be verified, and once processed, you will receive a notification via SMS or email confirming the successful linking of Aadhaar with your Ration Card.

Ration Card Transfer from One State to Another

If you relocate to a different state, you must transfer your ration card to access Public Distribution System (PDS) benefits at your new location.

Steps to Transfer Ration Card:

1. Visit the nearest Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department in your current state and submit a written application to surrender your existing ration card.
2. Submit all required documents; upon verification, you will receive a ration card surrender certificate.
3. Apply for a new ration card in the new state by submitting a completed application form with all necessary documents and proof of address.
4. Pay the applicable processing fee.
5. The department may conduct a residential verification.
6. Once verification is complete, a new ration card will be issued in the destination state.

Note: In cases like marriage, a woman may need to remove her name from her parent’s ration card and add it to her husband's card. A marriage certificate is typically required for this update.

State-Wise Ration Card

Every state and union territory in India operates its own Ration Card system through dedicated portals under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and follows national guidelines under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and supports the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) initiative, which enables ration portability across states.

State-Wise Official Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs (PDS Portal)

Benefits of Having a Ration Card

A Ration Card serves as a critical document for Indian residents, especially for economically weaker sections, by offering both practical and welfare-related advantages

Key Benefits of a Ration Card:

• Access to Subsidized Food Grains: Eligible families receive rice, wheat, sugar, and other essentials at lower prices through fair price shops.
• Proof of Identity and Address: Widely accepted as valid proof for applying for Aadhaar, passports, voter ID, and other official documents.
• Eligibility for Government Welfare Schemes: Many social welfare schemes, including LPG subsidies, health schemes, and education grants, require a valid ration card.
• Portability Across India: Under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, beneficiaries can collect ration from any part of the country.
• Helps in Household Budgeting: Subsidized essentials ease the financial burden on low-income families.
• Family Identification: Serves as a formal record of household members and can be useful during the census or surveys.

One Nation One Ration Card Scheme (ONORC)

The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme is a flagship initiative by the Government of India, launched on January 1, 2020, to ensure seamless access to subsidized food grains for all NFSA (National Food Security Act) beneficiaries across India. This scheme enables individuals, especially migrant workers, tribals, and laborers, to collect their entitled ration from any fair price shop (FPS) across the country, irrespective of their home state.

Key Features of One Nation One Ration Card Scheme

1. Nationwide Portability: Ration benefits are accessible across all states and union territories through Aadhaar-enabled e-POS devices under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme.
2. Aadhaar-Linked Access: Beneficiaries can avail their entitled rations using their 12-digit Aadhaar-linked Ration Card number at any fair price shop in the country.
3. Interstate Usage in Maharashtra: As of December 2023, 64,854 ration card holders in Maharashtra received food grains from other states, while 5.21 lakh migrants accessed ration benefits in Maharashtra from outside the state.
4. High Monthly Usage: Approximately 10 lakh people per month use the ONORC service within their own states (intrastate), reflecting its widespread adoption.
5. Dedicated Helpline Support: A national toll-free helpline number 14445 is available for user queries, complaints, and assistance related to the ONORC scheme.

Beneficiaries of ONORC

All NFSA Cardholders: The scheme benefits all National Food Security Act (NFSA) ration cardholders, including migrant workers, tribals, sugarcane laborers, and other vulnerable populations, ensuring food security regardless of location.

Apply for ONORC

Migrants can access their food grain entitlements at any fair price shop equipped with e-POS devices in their current location. No separate application is required as portability is automatically enabled for Aadhaar-linked NFSA cards.