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Ration Card: Applicability, Eligibility & Online Ration Card Application Process

  • Writer: Bhavika Rajput
    Bhavika Rajput
  • 2 hours ago
  • 9 min read

Since it is an essential instrument for guaranteeing food security for Indian inhabitants, the ration card is very important. A ration card, which is issued by the government, enables qualified families to buy basic goods, including rice, wheat, sugar, and kerosene, from fair price stores at reduced prices. A ration card also acts as identification and evidence of residency. All things considered, ration cards are essential for advancing social welfare and guaranteeing that no one goes hungry as a result of budgetary limitations. 

Table of Contents

What is a Ration Card?

One document that the State Government issues as proof of nationality is a ration card. It is a crucial document that not only proves a person's identity but also provides information about their financial situation. Although obtaining it is elective and not required for all citizens, most people apply for it because it is a recognised form of identification and enables them to access a number of government benefits. There are various types of ration cards that are issued based on an individual's earning potential. Ration cards vary by state, but they are all granted according to a person's yearly income. A person's eligibility for certain rationed or subsidised foodgrains (rice, wheat, sugar, kerosene and coarse grains) is determined by each category of their ration card, which is issued depending on the total number of family members. Higher earners (as determined by the state government in question) are not eligible for subsidised rations. 


Benefits of Ration Card

  • Every month, a ration cardholder can purchase necessary food grains from a Public Distribution System (PDS)-approved fair price shop at a significantly reduced cost.


  • A ration card holder is qualified for a number of government assistance programs. 


  • When applying for government programs and receiving different public services, a ration card is used as identification and proof of address. 

  • LPG cylinder subsidies are available to some ration cardholders.


Types of Ration Card in India

  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card: Landless labourers, widows, primitive tribal families, terminally ill people, elderly people over 60, lepers, scrap collectors, etc. are all eligible to receive this ration card. 


  • Priority Household (PHH) Ration Card: Families who satisfy the eligibility requirements established by the government based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 are granted Priority Household (PHH) ration cards. Families who earn Rs. 59,000 or less a year in urban areas and Rs. 44,000 or less a year in rural areas are eligible to receive 5 kg of food grains each month at subsidised rates under this initiative. 


  • Annapurna Yojana (AY) Ration Card: The Annapurna Yojana (AY) ration card is intended only for elderly individuals over 65 who do not have a pension or a steady source of income. Under this program, 10 kg of food grains are given away for free each month to qualified recipients. 


  • White Ration Cards: Households over the poverty threshold are given these cards. Families earning Rs. 1 lakh or more annually are eligible for this type of ration card. This kind of card is available to any family member who owns a four-wheeler or, in the event of a larger family, four hectares of irrigated property. States may have different requirements and advantages for white ration cards, though.


Online Ration Card or E-Ration Card

Through the Electronic Public Distribution System (EPDS), a few state governments have implemented E-Ration Cards. E-ration cards are digital format cards that give cardholders access to basic food supplies and personal information. After being initially implemented in Delhi, e-ration has progressively spread to states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The e-ration card feature is only available to Aadhaar cardholders. The benefits of e-ration cards are as follows:

  • Mobile apps and government websites make it simple to obtain the ration card. You may check your entitlements, update information, and more with ease thanks to this.


  • Physical documentation and trips to government offices are no longer necessary with the introduction of E-ration cards. This can make it easier to obtain goods and services at discounted prices.


  • Other government databases are frequently linked with the e-ration card system. The national biometric identity system, Aadhaar, is one example of this. It can guarantee that benefits reach you, the intended receiver, and help decrease fraud. 


  • Real-time updates on your rights and any modifications to your ration card's status are available to you. 


  • By digitising the ration distribution process, the government hopes to lower corruption and increase transparency.


Eligibility for a Ration Card

The following are the requirements for an individual to be eligible to receive a ration card from the state government: 

  • Should be an Indian citizen

  • Should not have a ration card in other states

  • Should live and cook separately

  • Applicant and family members must be close relatives

  • Should not have any other family card in the same state


Documents Required for Ration Card Application

  • Application form, duly completed and signed

  • Income certificate

  • Identify proof (Any of the following)

    • Election photo ID card

    • Passport

    • Driving license

    • Any other Govt-issued ID card

  • Current residence proof (Any of the following documents)

    • Electricity/telephone bill

    • Bank passbook

    • Latest LPG receipt

    • Rental agreement/ rent paid receipt

  • Details about the applicant’s annual income 

  • Photograph of the head of the family

  • Old cancelled/surrendered ration card, if any


Steps to Apply for a New Ration Card

To receive a ration card, each state government has mandated unique application forms that can be filled out online or by hand. The following lists standard practices that are typically adhered to in the majority of states. 


Online Ration Card Application Process

Step 1: Go to the website of your state's Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs. 


Step 2: Register for a PDS account and log in. 


Step 3: Locate the "New Ration Card" or "Request New Ration Card" option under the "e-services" section. 


Step 4: Complete the application, attach the necessary files, and send it in. 


Step 5: For tracking purposes, you will be given an application reference number. 


Offline Ration Card Application Process 

Step 1: Go to the fair price or authorised ration card store that is closest to you.


Step 2: Gather the ration card application form, complete it, and affix the necessary paperwork. 


Step 3: Turn in the form at the fair price or ration card store. 


Step 4: To monitor the status of your application, obtain the reference number.


Inspection and Verification

Along with the application form, the applicant must pay a minimum charge. Following submission of the application, the file is forwarded for field verification. The verification officer examines and attests to the information the applicant has provided for subsequent processing. Usually, this inspection is completed within 30 days of the application being submitted. A ration card is made and given to the applicant, depending on their yearly income, after the officer has checked and validated all the information. If the application is denied, a letter explaining the decision goes to the applicant. The applicant could face criminal charges and the ensuing penalties outlined by the law if they provided any incorrect or misleading information.


Steps to Download e-Ration Card

The e-ration card can be downloaded via their state's Public Distribution System (PDS) website when it is issued. The steps to download the e-ration card are as follows. 

Step 1: Go to your state's official PDS website.


Step 2: Select "e-ration card" after navigating to "e-services." 


Step 3: Choose "Print Ration Card," "Download E-Ration Card," or "Get E-Ration Card." 


Step 4: Fill out all the necessary information and send it in. 


Step 5: You can download your ration card after the information has been validated.


Transfer of Ration Card

A person must apply to the closest ration office in the new jurisdiction if they are moved or relocated to a different city and their ration card needs to be switched from one state to another. The transfer is processed after a written application and supporting documentation (such as the previously mentioned documents) attesting to the new address are submitted, together with the required application fee. When a woman gets married, a new ration card is issued or changed. In order to accomplish this, an application is made to add her name to the husband's family card and remove her name from the parent's ration card (a marriage certificate is required to complete this process).


List of State-Wise Official Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs Websites


Conclusion

Households, particularly those with low incomes, need ration cards because they enable them to purchase food grains at reduced prices. It also acts as identification verification for a number of government program benefits. Applying for an e-ration card is simple and can be done online via the state's official Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs website. 


Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for a ration card in India?


In India, those who work in agriculture but do not own land, people with disabilities, widows, people who are dying, people over 60, people who are in charge of families, and single people without family or social support are all eligible for ration cards. People who work in the unorganised sector and make a living on a daily basis are also qualified.


Who gets a free ration in India?


Poor families in India receive five kilogrammes of food grains per month as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. About 81 crore impoverished people will benefit from this scheme's prolongation until December 2028, which was approved by the Union Cabinet.


Is it mandatory to have a ration card?


The ration card is useful as a legitimate form of identification, allowing access to certain government benefits, even though it is not required.


Can two ration cards be issued for one household?


Each person is only allowed to have one ration card per address. Nonetheless, different ration cards may belong to different people living at the same address.


How to apply for a new ration card​?


To apply for a new ration card, go to your state's Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs website. After registering on this page, select the "New Ration Card" or "Request New Ration Card" options. Create a new ration card application by filling out all the necessary information and uploading the necessary files. 


How to find ration card number?


Your ration card contains your ration card number. You can obtain your ration card number by choosing the "Know Your Ration Card" option and entering your Aadhaar number on the Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs website in your state if you do not have a physical copy of your ration card. 


How to add a name to the ration card?


By going to your state's Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs website, selecting the "Name Addition" option, and filling out the necessary information, you can add a name to your ration card. To add names to a ration card, you can also go to the ration shop and complete the form.


How to change the address in a ration card?


By going to your state's Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs website, selecting the "Address Change" or "Ration Card Correction" option, and filling out the necessary information, you can modify the address on your ration card. To update your address, you can also go to the ration shop in person and complete the form.


Can NRIs Apply for Ration Cards in India?


Yes, by providing the required paperwork, non-resident Indians can also get a ration card in India. They have to apply via their state's food supply's official website.


Can I apply for a ration card online?


Yes, a ration card can be applied online.


How much ration is given per person in Delhi?


Each beneficiary in Delhi is provided with 5 kg of food grains per person per month, following the entitlement under the NFS Act 2013, consisting of 4 kg of wheat and 1 kg of rice.


What is the minimum income to get a ration card in Delhi?


In Delhi, a ration card requires a minimum annual income of one lakh. Candidates who fit into certain criteria can self-certify their income and occupation, subject to field verification, and do not need to submit an income certificate. 


Who issues ration cards in Delhi?


The Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs is responsible for issuing ration cards in Delhi.  


What is the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) Scheme?


All states in the country have adopted the ONORC scheme. It enables holders of ration cards to buy food goods from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in India, which is particularly advantageous for families and migrant workers. All transactions under the program are digital, and purchases at FPS locations require biometric authentication. 



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