Overview: Ration Card

A common form of identification and proof of address in India is the ration card, which entitles Indian households to obtain subsidized food grains from the Public Distribution System. Many state governments offer e-ration cards as a convenient way for households to get ration cards. E-ration was initially used in Delhi and has now expanded to include states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Only those who have an Aadhaar card may use the e-ration card service.  In India, the Public Distribution System (PDS) has been set up for the economically weaker people, i.e. the poor, in which they can get food grains for a very minimal price pursuant to the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The Narendra Modi government has taken a new, constructive step in this regard by emphasizing the ONORC program, or the One Nation-One Ration Card system, so that those who are economically poorer can travel to any part of India and work there. Receive the benefits of a ration card, allowing them to purchase food grains for less.

Types of Ration Cards in India

Priority household (PHH) ration card: Households that satisfy the requirements established by their state government for eligibility are given Priority Household (PHH) ration cards. A monthly allocation of 5 kilograms of food grain per person is allowed for each priority household. To the "poorest of poor" households, ration cards are given out through the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). 

Antyodaya (AAY) ration card: Antyodaya Anna Yojana has been started by the central government with the aim of benefiting the poor people of the country. AAY Scheme was implemented on 25th December 2000. It is a welfare scheme launched for 10 lakh poor families under the Ministry of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs.

APL (Above Poverty line) ration card: Indians who earn more than the federally mandated poverty threshold are given APL ration cards. These cardholders are eligible to get up to 20 kg of food grains at 100% of the cost. It should be noted that because each state has different prices established for them, the economic cost will vary from state to state.                                                                        

BPL (Below Poverty line) ration card: According to the state's definition of poverty, Indians who live below the poverty line are given BPL ration cards, as the name implies. For their family, these cardholders are entitled to up to 20 kg of food grains at a reduced price. Because each state sets a different price for its grains, it should be noted that the economic cost will range from state to state.

Required Documents for Ration Card

• Driving license
• Aadhaar card
• Employee identity card
• Voter ID
• Passport
• Any government-issued identity card
• Health card (including the Aaragoyasri card)

Application Process for Ration Card

• Primarily, Applicant has to Visit the Department of Food https://nfsa.gov.in/, the Delhi Government's official website, or any other government’s official website according to your domicile.
• Now, the applicant has to click on the ration card dashboard.
• The application form can be shown on the screen by selecting the specific state ration card website's Food Security section.
• The candidate must upload all supporting documents and include all necessary information in the appropriate format.
• Click submit once all required documents have been submitted and the application form has been completed.
• You can record the ration card application number and use it to check on the progress of the ration card application.

Benefits and Uses of a Ration Card

• A beneficiary can use their card to obtain food at discounted prices from a ration shop.
• Given that it is a government-issued document, it is recognized as a legal identity throughout India.
• It can be presented as identifying documentation for the application of a PAN card.
• A beneficiary can use their card in order to open a bank account and move funds across bank accounts.
• A beneficiary can use their card to pay income tax at the appropriate rates.
• A beneficiary can use their card to obtain a brand-new voter ID card.
• A beneficiary can use their card to buy a SIM card for a phone.
• A beneficiary can use their card for making a passport application.
• A beneficiary can use their card for obtaining a driving permit.
• A beneficiary can use their card to establish a fresh LPG connection.
• A beneficiary can use their card In Removing life insurance.

One Nation One Ration Card

The government introduced the One Nation One Ration Card to allow all eligible beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, or holders of ration cards the option to access their entitlements from anywhere in India. In accordance with the NFSA, holders of ration cards or beneficiaries are entitled to purchase subsidized food grains from the authorized Fair Price Shops (FPS) operating under the Targeted Public Distribution System, including rice at Rs 3 per kg, wheat at Rs 2 per kg, and coarse grains at Rs (TPDS). Before the One Nation One Ration Card system was implemented, holders of ration cards could only purchase the food grains that were subsidized by the FPS that were assigned to them in the neighborhood where they resided. The ration cardholder/NFSA recipient was not qualified to receive subsidized food grains from an FPS in the relocated location if they moved from the assigned FPS location to another area for employment. With the implementation of the One Nation One Ration Card system, the restriction on purchasing food from only the designated FPS was lifted, allowing NFSA beneficiaries and holders of ration cards to purchase subsidized food from any FPS in the nation. The One Nation One Ration Card scheme also enables ration cardholders or NFSA beneficiaries to claim any remaining food on the same ration card for their family members back home. Part of the migrant workers' ration can be claimed from where they are when they are separated from their families, while the remaining portion can be claimed by their relatives back home. The One Nation One Ration Card enables all NFSA recipients and holders of ration cards, in particular migrant recipients and holders of ration cards, to conveniently claim all or a portion of the food grains from any FPS located anywhere in the nation using an existing ration card with biometric or Aadhaar authentication.

State Wise Ration Card Apply Online Link