Ration card is an important document also used as resident proof issued by the state governments of India to households or families who are eligible to purchase food supply mainly wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene at subsidised rates. Under the National Food security Act (NFSA), the state governments are ordered to provide food grains and fuel at reduced prices to families with low income.
Since, the Ration card is also a proof of identity and record of economic status of each family, every Indian citizen residing permanently in India is eligible to get registered with his family for a Ration card.
Colour & Types of Ration card (Tri Colour Ration card Scheme)
| Ration Card Colour | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Yellow Ration Card | – Issued to those families having income below Rs. 15,000/- (Below poverty line). – None of the family member should be a doctor, lawyer, architect or chartered accountant. – None of the family member should be eligible to pay or paying Professional Tax, Sales Tax, Income Tax, etc. – They should not possess telephone line, 4 wheeler vehicle, etc. |
| Saffron Ration Card | – Issued to those families having income above Rs. 15,000/- but less than Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum. – None of the members should possess 4-wheeler vehicle – The family members together should not possess 4 hectares or more of irrigated land. |
| White Ration Card | – Issued to those families having income Rs. 1,00,000/- and above per annum. – Any family member has 4-wheeler, or the family together aggregately holding more than 4 hectares of irrigated land. |
There are major 5 Types of Ration cards:
APL Ration card: This is for people who are above the poverty line. We can call this as middle class category. The amount and price of the food for distribution under this APL Ration card type, varies from state to state.
BPL Ration card: This is for people who are below the poverty line. Under this BPL Ration card type government distributes free food grains and fuel to poor people with low income.
AAY Antyodaya Anna Yojana Ration card: This is for people who does not have stable income. Their earnings are very irregular sometimes they manage to earn, but many times they fail to earn their daily bread.
AY Annapoorna Ration card: Under this category, the elderly people who are above 65 years of age are given free food grains for them. This is also called Elderly Ration card.
PHH Priority House Hold Ration card: Under this category, the poor and backward class with very poor earning are search and provided with food and fuel supplies on a priority basis.
Who can Apply for Ration card – Eligibility
- Only those household members can apply who are not registered with any other family
- The applicant should be a permanent resident of that particular state, from where the applicant is registering.
- His/Her name should not be registered with any other family or should not possess any other ration card.
Documents Required for Ration card Registration
- Proof of Ownership of Residence
- House Rent receipt
- LPG Connection bill
- Electricity bill
- Telephone Mobile Bill
- PAN card
- Aadhar card
- Driving license
- Voter ID Card
- Passport
- Bank passbook
- Birth certificate
- Income certificate or any document that indicates family’s total income
How to Apply for New Ration card?
The following steps should be followed to apply or register for a new Ration card:
Step #1: As per your state of residence, you should visit the states Ration card portals. Find the link of all State-wise Food Distribution Portals here:
https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/State_Food_Portals.
Step #2: As per your state you can visit that States Food and Civil supplies department. For example, in case of Maharashtra you can visit the following link:
https://mahafood.gov.in/website/english/Download.aspx
Step #3: Here, you will see link to download Form 1: Application for New Ration card.
Step #4: Fill the Form 1, make your all the details filled by you are correct. Affix Rs. 2 Stamp for submission of your form.
Step #5: Now, submit the filled application form to your nearest Ration card office. After successful submission, your name will be added to the Ration card list in upto 30 days.
How to Check Ration card Status
Follow the steps below to check the allocation or Status of Your ration card:
Step #1: The applicant have to visit the states Ration card portal. For Maharashtra it is, Government of Maharashtra – Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department. On right hand side, locate the box ‘Online Services’. In that, find the link: Online RC Management System.
Step #2: On this page, click on ‘Ration Card’ > ‘Know your Ration Card‘.
Step #3: Now after verifying with a captcha, you will be directed to a form, where you have to enter your Ration Card No./Application Number. Click on View Report.
Step #4: In the Next page, it will display your Ration card status.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to know Ration card number?
On successful submission of the filled form for new ration card, either online or physical submission through a Ration Card office, you will be given a receipt with Ration card Application Number.
How to link Ration card with Aadhar?
Go to your state’s Public distribution portal. There you have to find Ration card Tab. Enter your Ration card number, Enter Aadhar card number and click on Submit. It will ask for OTP verification through registered mobile number. Once the Aadhar gets successfully linked to your Ration card you will receive another message.
How to apply for new Ration card?
For different state, they have their own online portal for food and supplies distribution system. From there you need to download a form for New Ration Card Application. Fill this form with correct information and submit at the Ration card office along with the supporting documents. After this, the addition of your name in Ration card list will take upto 30 days.
Where is Ration card number in Ration card?
Ration card number is the 10 digit Unique number given to each Ration card and is written on top of the Ration card booklet.
How to remove name in Ration card?
Go to your states Public distribution portal and find the Download section. Here you will find links to different forms. You have to download Decrease in the Units (Name Deletion) Form. Fill and Submit to the Ration card office.
How to check Ration card application status?
On National Food supply portal, you can search for Ration card Tab. There click on know your ration card link. It will ask you to verify with a captcha code. On the next page it will ask for Application Number, enter it and click on View Report. It will show your application status
What to do if I lost my Ration Card?
You can go to NFSA website and find the link of Food distribution portal of your state. Click on the link for your state’s Food portal. Find the Ration Card section and go to Downloads section. Here you will find links to different forms, you have to download Application for Duplicate Ration Card. Fill and submit again to the Ration card office.
