Ration Card - Applicability, Eligibility & E-Ration Card Online

Ration card is one of the popular address and identity proof documents in India. This card makes Indian households eligible to purchase subsidised food grain under the Public Distribution System (PDS). 

Know all about a ration card, its eligibility, application process and more.

What is Ration Card?

• A ration card is a document issued by the State Government which serves as a proof of nationality.
• It is an important document which not only serves as an identity proof but also indicates an individual’s economic status.
• It is a voluntary document and not compulsory for every citizen to obtain, but people generally apply for it as it is well-accepted identity proof and helps an individual avail various Government benefits through this scheme.

Ration cards have multiple categories which are issued by the earning capacity of an individual. Different states have different ration cards but it is issued based on an individual’s annual income. 

Ration cards are issued based upon the total members in a family, and each category of the ration card determines an individual’s entitlement to certain rationed or subsidised foodgrains (rice, wheat, sugar, kerosene and coarse grains). Individuals with higher earning capacity (as fixed by the respective state Govt) cannot obtain rations at a subsidised cost.

E-ration Cards

Some of the state Govts have introduced E-Ration Cards through EPDS (Electronic Public Distribution System). E-ration cards are the digital form of ration cards providing access to basic food supplies and containing details about the cardholder. E-ration was first introduced in Delhi and has gradually covered states such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Only Aadhaar cardholders can use e-ration card facility.

Ration Card Eligibility 

Listed below are the eligibility criteria for obtaining a ration card from the state government – An Individual:

• Should be an Indian citizen
• Should not hold ration card in other states
• Live and cook separately
• Applicant and member of the family must be close relatives
• Should not possess any other family card in the same state

How to Apply For a New Ration Card?

Each state Government has prescribed separate application forms which can be submitted manually or online for obtaining a ration card. Common procedures that are generally followed in most of the states are given below.

Online Process

Step 1: Visit the Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs website of your state.

Step 2: Create an account and login to the PDS website. 

Step 3: Navigate to the ‘e-services’ section and look for the ‘New Ration Card’ or ‘Request New Ration Card’ option. 

Step 4: Fill out the application form, upload required documents and submit. 

Step 5: You will receive an application reference number for tracking purposes. 

Offline Process

Visit your local authorized ration shop or government office handling ration card applications.

Step 1: Visit the nearest ration card shop or fair price shop.

Step 2: Collect the application ration card application form, fill it out and attach the required documents. 

Step 3: Submit the form at the ration card shop or fair price shop. 

Step 4: Get the reference number to track the application status.

The applicant is required to pay a basic minimum fee along with the application form. Once the application is submitted, the file is sent for field verification. The officer in charge of verification has to inspect and certify the details submitted by the applicant for further processing.

This inspection has to be carried out generally within 30 days from the date of submission of the application. Once all the details are verified and confirmed by the officer, ration card is created and issued to the applicant based on their annual income.

If the application is rejected, a rejection letter is issued with reasons for the same to the applicant. In case of any false/ misleading information, the applicant would be liable for criminal prosecution and consequent punishment as prescribed under the law.

Documents Required for Ration Card

Following are the list of documents to be submitted at the local ration office by the applicant:

• Completed and signed application form
• Income certificate
• Identify proof of the applicant can be any of the following:
  • Election photo ID card
  • Driving license
  • Passport
  • Any other Govt issued ID card
• Applicant’s current residence proof should be submitted which can be any of the following document:
  • Electricity bill
  • Telephone bill
  • Latest LPG receipt
  • Bank Pass Book
  • Rental agreement/  rent paid receipt
  • Photograph of the head of the family
  • Details about the annual income of the applicant
  • Old cancelled/surrendered ration card if any

Benefits of Ration Card

• A ration cardholder can get essential food grains at a highly subsidised price every month from an authorised fair price shop under the Public Distribution System (PDS)
• A ration cardholder will be eligible for various government welfare schemes 
• A ration card serves as a proof of identity and address for applying to government schemes and obtaining various public services
• Some ration cardholders are eligible to receive subsidies on LPG cylinders

How to Download Ration Card?

After the ration card is issued, applicants can download the e-ration card through the Public Distribution System (PDS) website of their respective states. Here is the process to download the e-ration card.

Step 1: Visit the official PDS website of your state.

Step 2: Navigate to the ‘e-services’ and click on ‘e-ration card’.

Step 3: Select the ‘Print Ration Card’, ‘e-ration card Download’, or ‘Get e-ration card’ option.  

Step 4: Enter all the required details and submit.

Step 5: Once the details are verified, you can download your ration card.

How to Transfer Ration Card?

If an individual is shifted or relocated to a different city and the ration card has to be transferred from one state to another, then the individual has to submit an application to the nearest ration office in the new jurisdiction.

A written application has to be submitted along with proof of the new address (documents as listed above), and the necessary application fee has to be paid after which the transfer is processed.

Similarly, a new ration card is issued or modified when a woman in the family is married and moves to her husband’s house. For this purpose, the application has to be submitted to remove her name from the parent’s ration card and to add her name to the husband’s family card (marriage certificate has to be submitted for completing this procedure).

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

The below table provides the official Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs portals of different states and union territories:

Ration cards are essential for households, especially households having low-income, since they help them to get foodgrains at subsidised rates. It also serves as identity proof to obtain various government scheme benefits. Eligible individuals can eaily apply for a e-ration cards online through the official Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs website of their respective states. 

Related Articles:
1. Types Of Ration Cards - Ration Card Status and Benefits
2. One Nation One Ration Card Scheme Explained
3. How to Check Ration Card Status Online?
4. Link Aadhaar Card to Ration Card
5. How to Download an E-Ration Card Online