Ration Card: Learn What A Ration Card Does, How To Apply, Ration Card Eligibility and More

The Ration Card is a government-attested document issued under the National Food Security Act. The subsidised food grains, kerosene oil, etc are managed by the Public Distribution System (PDS) of India. PDS India is a food security management platform that was created to streamline the process of making necessary food available to the less fortunate. 

History And Types Of Ration Cards in India

It is the job of every state government to identify the households that are allowed to purchase subsidised food grain in a region. Before the National Food Security Art came into being, there were three types of Ration Cards. They were:

1. APL (Above Poverty Line): These cards allowed households/families living above the poverty line to source 15 kgs of food grain every month.

2. BPL(Below Poverty line): This variant allowed families leading a life below the poverty line to source 25-35 kgs of food grain every month.

3. AAY(Antyodaya Anna Yojana): This was issued to families that were very poor and allowed them to get up to 35 kgs of food grain per month.

Once the NFSA (National Food Security Act) came into action, it streamlined the process further and started giving out food grain and other necessary items according to the members of a family. There were new types of Ration Cards that replaced a few old ones and these continue to be used to this date. They are:

1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana: This is the only card similar to the ones available before the NFSA came into being. The subsidy remains the same and this card is mainly issued to people without stable incomes, women, old people and severely impoverished families. They need to be identified by the state government.  

2. Priority Household: This card is issued to families that are slightly better off (financially) than the AAY-eligible candidates. These must also be identified by state governments.

3. Non-Priority Household: These are cards issued to households that earn an income above the line of poverty and have a stable income.

Documents Required To Apply For Ration Card

To apply for a Ration Card every family/individual must submit a set of documents–

1. Passport size photographs
2. Address proof (Aadhar Card, PAN card, Telephone Bill, Electricity Bill, Holding Tax, Passport, Valid Driving License) 
3. Identity proof (Aadhar Card, PAN card, Telephone Bill, Electricity Bill, Holding Tax, Passport, Valid Driving License)
4. Age proof (10th Class Markesheet, Birth Certificate, Aadhar Card, PAN card, Passport, Valid Driving License)
5. Income proof (Official Income Documents Issued From Your Office, Pay Slips, Bank Statements)
6. Certificate attested by pradhan or ward councillor
7. Rent agreement in the case of tenants.

Eligibility Conditions for Ration Card

The following persons/families are entitled to a Ration Card in India

1. People with over 40% disability.
2. Transgender individuals
3. Households recognised under primitive tribal groups
4. Households without a shelter
5. Households which have a widow pension receiver
6. Households have severely impoverished members who live on donations.

The following households/individuals are not entitled to a Ration Card in India:

1. Any pucca roof household with at least 3 rooms with pucca walls.
2. Individuals/families are paying income tax.
3. Households which have members earning equal to or more than ₹10,000 in rural areas and ₹15,000 in urban areas.
4. Families which have a member with a regular job. This may be gazetted or non-gazetted under the central or state governments, public undertakings and government-aided autonomous associations.
5. Houses with a domestic electrical connection metered at 2kW or more or a monthly consumption that exceeds 300 units.
6. Families which are running a government-registered manufacturing or service enterprise.
7. Any families that own motorised vehicles like an LMV, HMV, motorboat, etc.
8. Families that own motorised farming equipment like tractors, harvesters, etc.

How to Apply for a Ration Card

Ration Card Offline Application Process

To apply for a Ration Card offline, the members of a house should complete the following steps:

1. Locate and visit a service kiosk registered under the PDS.
2. Provide the Aadhaar details for every family member at the kiosk according to which the form will be filled.
3. Select any one of the fair-price shops in your taluk.
4. Make sure all members visit the kiosk at least once.
5. The eldest member is to be listed as the head of the family.
6. Once all documents are submitted, the form will undergo a verification process.
7. Then an inspection will take place, after which all the reviewed documents will be submitted to the survey house.

Once all the steps are complete, a Ration Card will be delivered within 15 days. 

Ration Card Online Application Process

To start with the application for an e-Ration Card, applicants visit ahara.kar.nic.in.

It should look something like this. Your next step is to click on the ‘e-services’ tab on the top ribbon of the page. Once you do, a page like the one below should open up.

Here, click on the ‘e-ration Card’ drop-down menu and select ‘New Ration Card. That will prompt a language selection option. Select your preferred language and click on ‘New Ration Card Request’. 

Next select the type of card you are eligible for, enter your Aadhaar number and click ‘GO.’ Once your Aadhaar number is verified an OTP verification will start, alternatively you can also use fingerprint verification. Once verified, the Aadhaar details will be visible on the screen and the ‘ADD’ option must be clicked. 

This will generate an application number and ask for a few details which must be filled in. The last step is hitting the submit button. Your procedure for applying for a Ration Card online is complete. 

How to Check Ration Card Status Online

The procedure for a Ration Card status check is quite simple. Applicants can follow these steps to know about the status:

1. Open https://ahara.kar.nic.in
2. Navigate to the ‘e-services’ tab
3. Click on ‘status of new/defending ration card’
4. Select the correct division
5. Click on ‘status of ration card’
6. Select the ‘verification type’
7. Provide the ‘application number’ and click on ‘GO’

Completing these steps successfully will display the current ration card status on the screen.

How to Download e-Ration Card Online

To download a Ration Card online, individuals can follow these steps.

1. Open https://ahara.kar.nic.in
2. Navigate to the ‘e-services’ tab
3. Click on ‘status of ration card’
4. Select any one of the verification methods, complete it and enter the application number and hit ‘GO’
5. Select the name of the member for whom the ration card is to be downloaded
6. An OTP verification procedure will be carried out, provide the number and check the Ration Card details
7. Download the Ration Card

How to Change the Name on a Ration Card

Sometimes a name change is in order, this may be due to a mistake or a change in the head of a family. Carry out these steps to change any name on a Ration Card.

1. Login to https://ahara.kar.nic.in
2. Download the name change application form
3. Create an affidavit stating the name to be changed and the reason behind it. Get it attested by a lawyer.
4. Two separate newspapers must be used to advertise your name change to make this possible.
5. After attaching the affidavit and other proofs, fill in the form and submit it to the Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department.

Uses Of a Ration Card

The following are the uses and advantages of having a Ration Card in India.

• To be eligible to source food grain, oil, etc from fair-price shops at subsidised rates.
• It is considered valid proof of identity by the legal authorities under the government of India.
• It can be used as proof of identity while applying for other documents like a passport, PAN card, voter ID and/or driving licence.
• It can also be used to open a bank account.
• It helps estimate the accurate numbers for income tax.
• It can be used to purchase a new sim card for a mobile phone.
•  It can be used to purchase a gas cylinder used for cooking.
• It can also be used to redeem money from a LIC policy.

How to Link Aadhaar and Ration Cards

Linking of a Ration Card to Aadhaar has been made mandatory by the government of India. Not doing so will result in the inability to enjoy the benefits. This negates duplication and ensures that most needy do get their share of subsidised food.

To link the two documents one offline must follow these steps:

1. Go to your PDS office or a fair-price shop.
2. Take the Aadhaar cards of all the members of the family along with the passport photo of the head of the family along.
3. In the case of the bank account not being linked to your Aadhaar, submit a copy of your passbook as well.
4. Submit all this along with your Aadhaar number.
5. Then, for biometric verification, provide your fingerprint.
6. After this, you will receive a text message on the registered mobile number intimating you about the linking process.
7. One more SMS will come in after the linking is successful.

To link the two documents online, follow these steps:

1. Visit https://uidai.gov.in
2. Click on START NOW
3. Provide the details regarding your district, state and city.
4. Select Ration Card under the benefit type and scheme options.
5. Provide the RC number, Aadhaar number, phone number and email address.
6. Enter the OTP received on the mentioned mobile number

Once this is done, the linking procedure is complete. You will receive an update on the registered number once the process is successful. 

How to Change the Mobile Number on a Ration Card

All new Ration Cards require a mobile number to be mentioned. This has been done to facilitate easy communication and verification. Many of us switch out old mobile numbers for new ones due to things like changes in location or network, etc. 

This change should be updated on the Ration Card with immediate effect so that all news regarding ration reaches you. To do this, you can follow these steps:

1. Visit the website https://nfsa.gov.in/portal
2. Navigate to the ‘Citizens Corner’ and select ‘Register/Change mobile number
3. On the new page, enter the Aadhaar or NFS ID number of the head of the family.
4. Enter the Ration Card number.
5. Mention the name of the head of the family.
6. The next page will let you enter a mobile number and also give you the option to save the details.

How Can NoBroker Help

At NoBroker we can help you take the right steps and not lose your way while applying for a new Ration Card. Our services also help you get the documents up to date which in turn will be needed for the Ration Card.

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