Food is not only one of the basic needs of humans for survival, it is much more than that. Food shapes the life of an individual and is a sign of prosperity in communities too. In a perfect world, everyone in the world would’ve access to nutritious and quality food but the reality is always far from our imagination. People, irrespective of their geographical location continue to battle malnutrition and hunger which at times, leads to starvation.

In India, the government has established the Public Distribution System (PDS) which is responsible for distributing food at subsidised prices through the use of ration cards. The Ration card scheme has been helping millions of individuals from vulnerable sections of society by enabling them to buy food at subsidised prices. This govt scheme represents the government’s commitment toward ‘not letting anyone sleep hungry’.

Overview

Name of the scheme	Ration card scheme
Purpose	To provide necessary and enriching food grains to the vulnerable sections of society
Key commodities provided	Rice, wheat, sugar, and others
Issued by	State governments or Union Territories (UTs)
Related schemes	NFSA, PMGKAY

What Is A Ration Card?

A ration card is a primary document issued by the government of India through which eligible households can purchase food grains and other items at subsidised rates from the Public Distribution System (PDS). It helps people from the vulnerable sections of society especially those below the poverty line. It is one of the measures taken by the government to protect people from going to sleep hungry, especially due to reasons like low income or unemployment.

History Of Ration Cards

The history of ration cards in India is deeply rooted and connected with the management system of the nation. In a time when food should be something not to be worried about, it has become a luxury for millions. The concept of rationing dates back to World War II when people experienced food shortages due to various reasons such as wartime disruptions, crop failure, or destruction. India saw the worst famine in history, the Bengal famine of 1943.

After gaining independence, food challenges continued to exist which led the government to establish the Public Distribution System (PDS) and ration cards. The first five-year plan focused on promoting agricultural growth and improving food security by providing basic food grains such as wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene at subsidised rates.

Around the 1960s, India again experienced a downfall with several droughts across the country. India had to import food from countries like the U.S.A. under the PL-480 program (Food for Peace) which led to the Green Revolution for producing high-quality crops through the use of various agriculture techniques. The PDS continued to grow and eventually took hold of the situation.

In 2013, the National Food Security Act was established for food security. Presently, the scheme has gone through various Ration card changes, amendments, and updates including digital ration cards, biometric authentication, etc. The ration cards of India had a rich and turbulent history but were a major aid for the people in need.

Read More: New Ration Card Changes Effective From September 2024

What Is The Need Of A Ration Card?

A ration card is a significant tool that helps people access and buy food at heavily subsidised rates. The need for ration cards arises from various key factors such as:

• Food security: The poverty rates in India are still high and concerning. Ration cards are a major help for the people from the economically weaker sections of the society by helping them avail food at discounted prices.

• Economic inequality: The Ration card scheme introduced the economic gap by ensuring that every person receives enriching food for overall healthy growth and development.

• Crisis management: In unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the Ration card scheme helped millions of people in times of hardship, sickness, and unemployment.

• Subsidy targeting: The govt scheme is made available only for those who meet the criteria like BPL so that non-eligible people cannot exploit its benefits.

What Are The Objectives Of Ration Cards?

The primary aim of the Ration card scheme is deep-rooted in resolving the issues of starvation, malnutrition, and poverty. The scheme’s key objectives are:

• Food for all: The scheme guarantees access to affordable food grains and other necessary items to vulnerable and low-income households to reduce the rates of malnutrition.

• Poverty alleviation: The government scheme provides a shield of protection to the disadvantaged sections of society and allows them to access necessities of life at subsidised prices and reduces their financial burden.

• Welfare schemes: The Ration card scheme is linked to other welfare programs like Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which helped in delivering free food during COVID-19 using the ration card system.

• Transparency: The ration card system works with the Public Distribution System (PDS). The ration cards have also been digitised to increase transparency between regulatory bodies and the ration cardholders.

Read More: Pan Card Complete Guide

What Are The Benefits Of Ration Cards?

Ration cards encompass several benefits to the cardholders and ensure a fair system for their welfare in society. Some of the key benefits are:

• Subsidised prices: Food grains like wheat, rice, and sugar are provided at highly subsidised rates so that people from low-income households can purchase them as per their needs.

• Savings: As the food grains are provided at subsidised rates, it helps people save some amount from their income that they can use for other necessary needs like education or housing.

• Other government schemes: Ration cards allow the cardholders to apply and avail the benefits of other related schemes as well such as education schemes, healthcare schemes, etc.

• Women empowerment: Ration cards are issued in the name of the female head of the household which empowers women financially and recognises their effort in running households efficiently.

Eligibility Criteria For Ration Cards

The eligibility criteria for applying for ration cards to avail their benefits are listed below:

• Families in extreme poverty like landless labourers, disabled persons, widows, and senior citizens without a stable income.

• Families who fall below the poverty line.

• Families who fall above the poverty line but are still eligible for subsidiaries.

• Low-income families are covered under the National Food Security Act.

Who Is Not Eligible For A Ration Card?

People who are excluded from the ration card scheme are listed below:

• Families where any member pays taxes on their income.

• Families with a government employee.

• People who own four-wheeler vehicles, property of a certain size, or agricultural land of a certain size (size is decided as per the state).

Read More: Aadhaar Card: The Identity Proof Of Indian Citizen

What Are Documents Required?

Required documents without which people cannot apply for a ration card are listed below:

• Identity proof (like an aadhaar card)

• Address proof (like utility bills)

• Income proof (like salary slip)

• Photographs (passport-sized)

• Family details (like birth or marriage certificate)

Apply For Ration Card Step By Step Guide Online

Interested and eligible people can generate ration card online by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Step 1: Visit the state government’s official PDS website.

• Step 2: Fill out the online form with personal details like name, family details, income, etc.

• Step 3: Upload all the required documents.

• Step 4: Submit the application fee and note the reference number.

Apply For A Ration Card Offline

Interested and eligible people can apply for ration cards offline by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Step 1: Please visit the nearest Ration Office or PDS centre.

• Step 2: Collect the application form and fill in your details like name, family details, income, etc.

• Step 3: Upload all the required documents.

• Step 4: Submit the application fee and note the reference number.

Read More: Ayushman Bharat Yojana: ABHA Card Download, List, PMJAY Scheme Status Check, Registration Online

How To Check The Status Of A Ration Card?

Applicants can complete ration card online check by following the steps mentioned below:

• Step 1: Visit the state government’s official PDS website.

• Step 2: Select the ‘Check Application Status’ option.

• Step 3: Enter your reference number.

• Step 4: Check the status of your application.

How To Transfer A Ration Card?

People who want to transfer their ration cards from one state to another can do so by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Step 1: Visit the state government’s official PDS website or the nearest PDS office.

• Step 2: Request for the ‘Transfer Application Form’.

• Step 3: Submit the existing ration card and provide your proof of address.

• Step 4: Submit the transfer form with the necessary documents at the new PDS office.

Read More: Top Women Empowerment Schemes in India: Key Initiatives, Benefits, and Eligibility

How To Change Information On A Ration Card?

Applicants who would like to opt for ration card correction, can do so by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Step 1: Visit the state government’s official PDS website or the nearest PDS office.

• Step 2: Request for the ‘Change/Correction Application Form’ and fill out your details.

• Step 3: Submit the correction form with proof documents like an aadhaar card and address proof.

• Step 4: After verification, the changes will be implemented.

How To Link An Aadhaar Card To A Ration Card?

It is mandatory to link one’s aadhaar card to their respective ration cards to make it more secure. People can do so by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Step 1: Visit the state government’s official PDS website or the nearest PDS office or ration shop.

• Step 2: Enter your Ration card number and Aadhaar number on the website, and fill in the OTP; submit the copies of the documents in the ration shop, if opting for offline.

• Step 3: You’ll receive a confirmation SMS on the registered mobile.

Types Of Ration Cards In India

Types of Ration Cards	Eligibility	Benefits
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)	Poorest families identified through socio-economic surveys	35 kg of food grains per month (Rs. 3 for rice, Rs. 2 for wheat, and Rs. 1 for coarse grains)
Below Poverty Line (BPL)	Families who fall BPL	25-35 kg of food grains per month at subsidised rates
Above Poverty Line (APL)	Families with income APL	Limited subsidies on food grains compared to BPL families
Priority Household (PHH)	Low-income households as per NFSA	5 kg of food grains per person (Rs. 3 for rice, Rs. 2 for wheat, and Rs. 1 for coarse grains)
Annapurna Scheme (APS)	For senior citizens above the age of 65 without pension	10 kg of food grains per month free of cost
Read More: IRDAI Role and Function in Insurance Sector

Ration Cards Under NFSA, 2013

The National Food Security Act enacted in 2013 was launched to provide nutritional food to people from disadvantaged sections of society. The act lays a foundation for the Public Distribution System (PDS) so that everyone receives the enriching food they deserve. As per the latest Ration card rules, only the eligible families can avail the benefits of ration card. Ration cards covered under the NFS are:

1. Priority Households (PHH): NFSA recognises certain low-income families under PHH. Families are entitled to receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month at subsidised rates of Rs. 3 for rice, Rs. 2 for wheat, and Rs. 1 for coarse grains.

2. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): NFSA covers AAY that focuses on the poorest families identified through the socio-economic surveys who are entitled to receive 35 kg of food grains per family per month at the same subsidised rates.

Ration Cards Under TPDS

The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is a government initiative to provide food grains to people from economically weaker sections of society. It ensures that people receive the enriching food grains they need without any delays. Ration cards covered under the TDPS are

1. Below Poverty Line (BPL): BPL Rations Card covers families who fall under the BPL receive food grains at subsidised rates.

2. Above Poverty Line (APL): Families who fall above the poverty line but are still eligible to receive food grains per month at subsidised rates. The rates are higher compared to rates for BPL.

3. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): NFSA covers AAY that focuses on the poorest families identified through the socio-economic surveys who are entitled to receive 35 kg of food grains per family per month at subsidised rates of Rs. 3 for rice, Rs. 2 for wheat, and Rs. 1 for coarse grains.

Difference Between BPL, APL, & PHH Ration Cards

Feature	BPL Ration Card	APL Ration Card	PHH Ration Card
Target group	Families who fall BPL	Families who fall APL	Low-income families as per NFSA
Eligibility	Identified through state surveys	Based on income	Identified through socio-economic surveys
Quota	25-35 kg per month	Limited quantity, lower than BPL	5 kg per person per month
Subsidy amount	Heavily subsidised (2-3 Rs. per kg)	Lesser subsidy compared to BPL	Subsidised rates (1-3 Rs. per kg)
Colour of card	Red or Yellow	White	Either Blue or Green
Implemented by	State governments	State governments	Under NFSA by states
Read More: How Does Life Insurance Work In India

Difference Between AY & AAY Ration Cards

Feature	Antyodaya Yojana (AY)	Antoyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
Target group	For the destitute (families without any house)	For the poorest families
Quota	25 kg per family per month	35 kg per family per month
Nutritional support	Limited emphasis on nutrition	Focuses on nutrition especially for women and children
Subsidy amount	Heavily subsidised	Highly subsidised (Rs. 3 for rice)
Implemented by	State government	By NFSA
Current status	Often referred to in historical context	Active since 2013

What Are Colour Ration Cards?

In India, colour ration cards are used to differentiate between households based on their economic status and entitled to receive food grains at subsidised rates through the PDS. Some of the common ration card colours are:

• Red Ration Card: Usually issued to families who fall BPL for accessing food grains at heavily subsidised rates.

• Yellow Ration Card: Usually issued to families under AAY for accessing a fixed quantity of food grains.

• White Ration Card: Usually issued to families who fall APL with limited subsidies on food grains.

• Blue/Green Ration Card: At times, used for PHH under NFSA to access food grains at subsidised rates.

E-Ration Card

An e-ration card is a digital version of the traditional ration card designed to simplify the process of obtaining food subsidies and enhance transparency and accountability. The e-ration cards can be accessed online through govt. portals so that people can view their details, track applications, and manage them efficiently.

Read More: Get A ₹50,000 Loan Using Your Aadhaar Card

How To Generate An E-Ration Card?

Applicants who would like to generate an e-ration card can do so by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Step 1: Visit the state government’s official PDS website.

• Step 2: Create an account using your phone number or mail address and log in.

• Step 3: Navigate to the ‘apply for an e-ration card’ option and click on it.

• Step 4: Complete the online application by filling in your details.

• Step 5: Upload the necessary documents.

• Step 6: Submit the form with the documents.

• Step 7: After submission of the application, you’ll receive a reference number for tracking it.

• Step 8: After the approval of your application, you will be able to download the ration card.

Mera Ration Card Mobile App

Mera Ration is a mobile application launched by the government of India for both, android and iOS users. The ration card app is an upgrade over the traditional options wherein users can carry out every function related to ration cards ranging from updating details to verifications.

Conclusion

The Ration card scheme is one of the most important schemes launched by the government of India to ensure that every stomach is fed in the country and nobody stays deprived of necessary and basic amenities like food.

Stay updated with Jaagruk Bharat to get the latest information on government healthcare schemes and more, and reach out to us via our community page if you have any questions.

Important Links

Official website: https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/PDS_page

Contact Information: https://nfsa.gov.in//State/CM