Ration Card
An official household document used to buy subsidised food grains under the Public Distribution System, and as identity/address proof.
A Ration Card is issued by a state’s Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department to a household, enabling access to subsidised food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the National Food Security Act, 2013. It is also widely accepted as identity and address proof for other government services.
What Is It?
A Ration Card is issued by a state’s Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department to a household, enabling access to subsidised food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the National Food Security Act, 2013. It is also widely accepted as identity and address proof for other government services.
Who Needs It?
Households seeking subsidised food grains under the PDS, and anyone needing an additional identity/address document for other applications, such as an Income or Domicile Certificate.
Eligibility
- Applicant should be a resident of the state and not already hold a ration card elsewhere
- Category of card issued (such as Priority Household or Antyodaya Anna Yojana) depends on the household’s income and eligibility criteria set under the National Food Security Act and state rules
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card of all family members
- Address proof (electricity bill, rent agreement, or property document)
- Passport-size photographs of the head of household
- Details of family members to be included in the card
How to Apply
- 1.Apply online through your state’s Food and Civil Supplies Department portal, or offline at the local ration/circle office
- 2.Submit the application with identity, address and family details
- 3.A field verification is generally conducted before the card is issued
- 4.Once approved, the ration card can be collected or, in several states, downloaded digitally
Where to Apply
Your state’s Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department portal, or the local ration office
Fees and processing time are set by each state and are not listed here \u2014 check the official source below for current details.
Official Source
National Food Security Portal, Department of Food & Public Distribution
Visit Official SourceImportant Notes
This service is administered by state or local authorities, so exact steps, fees and timelines can vary by location. Always confirm current details on the official source above, and never pay any unofficial agent to access a government service.
FAQs
Are all ration cards the same?
No. States issue different categories, such as Priority Household (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards, based on the household’s income and eligibility under the National Food Security Act.
Can I use my ration card in a different state?
Under the "One Nation One Ration Card" system, eligible beneficiaries can access their PDS entitlement from any Fair Price Shop across most states — check current coverage and your entitlement on the National Food Security Portal.