Ration Card: A Guide to Download, Apply and Benefits
A ration card is an official document issued by the state governments in India that entitles eligible households to purchase subsidised food grains and other items from the Public Distribution System (PDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). It also serves as a common form of identification and address proof for many Indians.
In this article, we will explain the different types of ration cards, the eligibility criteria, the online process of downloading and applying for a ration card, the benefits of having a ration card, and some frequently asked questions on this topic.
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Types of Ration Cards
Before the NFSA was enacted in 2013, there were three types of ration cards issued by the state governments: Above Poverty Line (APL), Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). These cards were distinguished by different colours and entitled the holders to different quantities and prices of food grains.
However, after the NFSA came into force, these cards were replaced by two types of ration cards: Priority Household (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). These cards are issued by the state governments after identifying the eligible households based on their income and other criteria. The details of these cards are as follows:
Priority Household (PHH) Ration Card: This card is issued to households that meet the eligibility criteria set by their state government. Each priority household is entitled to 5 kilograms of food grain per member per month at subsidised rates. The price charged from them is Rs.3 per kg for rice, Rs.2 per kg for wheat and Rs.1 per kg for coarse grains.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card: This card is issued to households that are identified as the "poorest of poor" by the state governments. These households are usually those who do not have a stable income or are headed by widows, elderly or disabled persons. Each AAY household is entitled to 35 kilograms of food grain per month at subsidised rates. The price charged from them is Rs.3 per kg for rice, Rs.2 per kg for wheat and Rs.1 per kg for coarse grains.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for obtaining a ration card vary from state to state as each state government has its own guidelines for identifying the priority and AAY households. However, some common factors that are considered are:
The annual income of the household
The occupation and source of income of the household
The size and composition of the household
The ownership of assets such as land, house, vehicle, etc.
The social and economic status of the household such as caste, religion, gender, disability, etc.
To apply for a ration card, the applicant must be a citizen of India and a resident of the state where he or she is applying. The applicant must also have a valid proof of identity and address such as Aadhaar card, voter ID card, driving license, passport, etc. The applicant must also submit other documents such as income certificate, family photograph, bank account details, etc. as required by the state government.
How to Download Ration Card Online?
If you already have a ration card and want to download it online, you can follow these steps:
Visit the official website of your state's food and civil supplies department or the NFSA portal (
Select your state and district from the drop-down menu and click on "Go".
On the next page, you will see various options such as "Search Beneficiary", "Download Ration Card", "View Ration Card Details", etc. Click on "Download Ration Card".
Enter your ration card number or Aadhaar number or any other details as asked and click on "Search".
You will see your ration card details on the screen. Click on "Download" or "Print" to get your e-ration card.
How to Check the Status of Your Ration Card Application?
If you have applied for a new ration card or made any changes in your existing ration card, you can check the status of your application online by following these steps:
Visit the official website of your state's food and civil supplies department or the NFSA portal (
Select your state and district from the drop-down menu and click on "Go".
On the next page, you will see various options such as "Search Beneficiary", "Download Ration Card", "View Ration Card Details", etc. Click on "Application Status".
Enter your application number or acknowledgement number or any other details as asked and click on "Search".
You will see the status of your application on the screen. It may show pending, approved, rejected, etc. depending on the stage of processing.
How to Print or Save Your E-Ration Card?
Once you have downloaded your e-ration card online, you can print it or save it on your device for future use. To print your e-ration card, you need a printer connected to your device. To save your e-ration card, you need a PDF reader software installed on your device. You can follow these steps:
Open the downloaded e-ration card file on your device.
Select the option to print or save as PDF from the file menu.
Choose the printer or the location where you want to save the file.
Click on "Print" or "Save" to complete the process.
How to Apply for Ration Card Online?
If you do not have a ration card and want to apply for one online, you can follow these steps:
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NFSA ration card download portal
Visit the official website of your state's food and civil supplies department or the NFSA portal (
Select your state and district from the drop-down menu and click on "Go".
On the next page, you will see various options such as "Search Beneficiary", "Download Ration Card", "View Ration Card Details", etc. Click on "Apply Online".
You will be redirected to the e-services portal of your state where you can register yourself as a new user or log in with your existing credentials.
After logging in, you will see a dashboard with various services such as "New Ration Card Application", "Modification of Ration Card Details", "Surrender of Ration Card", etc. Click on "New Ration Card Application".
You will see an online application form where you have to fill in your personal details, family details, address details, bank account details, etc. You also have to choose the type of ration card you want to apply for (PHH or AAY).
After filling in all the required fields, you have to upload the scanned copies of the documents such as proof of identity, proof of address, income certificate, family photograph, etc. The size and format of the documents may vary from state to state.
After uploading the documents, you have to pay the application fee online using a debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, etc. The fee amount may vary from state to state.
After paying the fee, you will get an acknowledgement number or a reference number that you can use to track the status of your application.
Benefits of Ration Card
A ration card is not only a document that enables you to buy subsidised food grains and other items from the PDS outlets, but also a document that offers you many other benefits such as:
Proof of identity and address: A ration card can serve as a valid proof of identity and address for various purposes such as opening a bank account, applying for a passport, getting a voter ID card, etc.
Access to other government schemes and benefits: A ration card can help you avail other government schemes and benefits such as gas subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), pension under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), health insurance under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), etc.
FAQs on Ration Card
Here are some common questions and answers on ration card that you may find useful:
Q: How can I update or correct my details in my ration card?A: You can update or correct your details in your ration card online by visiting the e-services portal of your state and choosing the option of "Modification of Ration Card Details". You have to fill in the details that you want to change and upload the supporting documents. You may also have to pay a nominal fee for this service.
Q: How can I link my Aadhaar number with my ration card?A: You can link your Aadhaar number with your ration card online by visiting the official website of UIDAI ( and choosing the option of "Aadhaar Services". You have to enter your Aadhaar number and OTP and select your state and district. You will see a list of services where you can link your Aadhaar number. Choose "Ration Card" and enter your ration card number. You will get a confirmation message after successful linking.
Q: How can I port my ration card from one state to another?A: You can port your ration card from one state to another under the One Nation One Ration Card scheme launched by the central government. This scheme allows you to buy food grains from any PDS outlet across the country using your existing ration card. To port your ration card, you have to visit the nearest PDS outlet in your new state and provide your biometric authentication using Aadhaar. Your details will be verified online and you will be able to buy food grains at subsidised rates.
Q: How can I lodge a complaint or grievance related to my ration card?A: You can lodge a complaint or grievance related to your ration card online by visiting the official website of the Department of Food and Public Distribution ( and choosing the option of "Grievance Redressal". You have to fill in the online form with your details and the nature of your complaint. You will get a grievance ID that you can use to track the status of your complaint.
Q: How can I check the availability and allocation of food grains in my state?A: You can check the availability and allocation of food grains in your state online by visiting the official website of the Department of Food and Public Distribution ( and choosing the option of "Allocation and Offtake". You have to select your state and month and click on "Submit". You will see the details of the food grains allocated and lifted by your state under various schemes.
Conclusion
A ration card is a valuable document that not only helps you buy subsidised food grains and other items from the PDS outlets, but also provides you with many other benefits such as proof of identity and address, access to other government schemes and benefits, etc. In this article, we have explained the different types of ration cards, the eligibility criteria, the online process of downloading and applying for a ration card, and some frequently asked questions on this topic. We hope that this article has helped you understand the importance and usefulness of a ration card.
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