Ration Card Guide: Types, Eligibility, How to Apply, Add a Member and Use It Anywhere in India

A ration card is the document that lets a family buy subsidised food grains from the public distribution system (PDS). It also works as a proof of identity and address, and many other government schemes use it to check whether a family is eligible. Ration cards are issued by state governments, so the form, the portal and some rules differ from state to state. This guide explains what is common everywhere and what to check locally.

The key points

• Ration cards come under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and are issued by your state.
• Applying is free or for a very small fee. Never pay an agent.
• One family can hold only one ration card. You cannot hold cards in two states.
• With the One Nation, One Ration Card system you can collect your grains from any fair price shop in India, using Aadhaar-based biometric checks.
• Many states have made e-KYC of every member compulsory to keep getting grains.

Types of ration cards

Type	Who it is for	What it gives
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)	The poorest families, such as landless labourers, widows, old people without support, and people with serious illness.	Highest subsidy. Generally about 35 kg of grain per family per month.
Priority Household (PHH)	Families chosen by the state under the NFSA criteria.	About 5 kg of grain per person per month.
Other state cards	Some states issue their own cards, often called APL or white cards, for families outside these groups.	Varies by state. Many give no or limited subsidised grain, but the card is still a useful ID.

Grain under the central scheme for priority and AAY families has been given free of cost since 2024. The exact quantity and prices depend on your state’s notice, so check at your fair price shop.

Who is eligible?

• You must be an Indian citizen living in the state where you apply.
• Your family must not already hold a ration card in any state.
• The family members must be close relatives who live and cook together.
• Your state sets the income and other conditions that decide the type of card. Ask your food and civil supplies department or fair price shop.

Documents you need

• Filled-in application form
• Aadhaar of the head of the family and of each member (needed for e-KYC)
• Proof of address, such as an electricity bill, rent agreement, bank passbook or LPG connection document
• An income certificate or self-declaration, as your state requires
• Passport-size photo of the head of the family
• Marriage certificate when adding a bride, and birth certificate when adding a newborn
• Surrendered or deleted-name certificate from the old card, if you are moving from another card or state

How to apply

Online

1. Open your state’s food, civil supplies and consumer affairs portal. Search “ration card [your state name] official” and use a website ending in .gov.in or .nic.in.
2. Register or log in, and open “New Ration Card” or the equivalent link in e-services.
3. Fill in the family details and upload the documents.
4. Submit and keep the application number to track it.

Offline

• Collect the form from your nearest fair price shop, the food supply office, a Common Service Centre or the block or tehsil office.
• Fill it in, attach the documents, submit it and take a receipt.

After you apply, an officer usually verifies your details. Processing normally takes around 30 days, but this depends on the state. Track the status on the portal with your application number.

e-KYC: do not skip it

Many states have asked every ration card member to complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC at the fair price shop (by fingerprint or iris) or through the official app. Members whose e-KYC is pending may have their names removed or may stop getting grain. Take every member, including children and elderly people, to the shop. If Aadhaar fingerprints do not work, the shop can use other methods. See our Aadhaar guide if your Aadhaar needs updating first.

Add, remove or correct details

• Add a member (newborn, bride): use the “add member” option on the state portal or fill in the form at the food office or fair price shop. Attach the birth or marriage certificate and the Aadhaar.
• Remove a member (death, marriage, move): apply for deletion with the death certificate or proof of the move. A bride’s name must be removed from her parents’ card when it is added to her husband’s.
• Correct a spelling or address: apply for correction with proof.
• Lost card: apply for a duplicate at the food office or on the portal, with an FIR or declaration if your state asks.

Using your ration card in another state

Under One Nation, One Ration Card, you can take your share of grain from any fair price shop in India. Take your ration card number or Aadhaar and be present yourself for the biometric check. The portion you take is deducted from your family’s monthly entitlement. The central “Mera Ration” mobile app helps you find shops and check your entitlement.

Common problems

• Name missing from the new list. Check the state portal or ask the food office. Often the cause is pending e-KYC or a duplicate entry.
• Shop gives less than your entitlement. Ask for the printed receipt, then complain to the food officer or call your state’s food helpline. The national helpline is 14445.
• Asked to pay an agent. Do not pay. Complain to the district supply officer.

Sources

• National Food Security Portal (Department of Food and Public Distribution)
• Taxbuddy: ration card eligibility and application

Last checked: 27 October 2026. Ration card rules, quantities and portals differ by state and change often, so confirm with your state food department or fair price shop before you act. This guide is general information.