Ration cards in India serve as essential documents for accessing subsidized food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), while also acting as proof of identity, address, and economic status for government schemes like school admissions and gas connections.
New regulations emphasize mandatory Aadhaar linking for all family members to eliminate duplicates and ensure eligibility verification, alongside regular income checks and family detail updates for births, deaths, or marriages. States implement digital PDS monitoring and e-KYC, with some reports of cash benefits like ₹1000 monthly for eligible holders, via verification.
Ration Card List 2025
Ration cards in India, issued by state governments under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, entitle eligible below-poverty-line families to subsidized food grains like 5 kg rice/wheat per person monthly via the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Ration cards in India are transitioning to digital formats with mandatory e-KYC every five years and Aadhaar seeding to curb fake cards and ensure benefits reach eligible families.
Families qualify as Priority Households (PHH) based on state-specific poverty surveys or Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) for poorest segments; income below ₹1-2 lakh annually, landless laborers, or migrants apply with proofs like Aadhaar, voter ID, and income certificate.
Exclusions include income tax payers, professionals, or large landholders; children under 5 kg entitlement prorated, with no separate cards.
What is a Ration Card?
A ration card is an official document issued by state governments in India to eligible households, enabling them to purchase subsidized food grains like rice, wheat, and coarse grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.
NFSA entitles up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban populations to 5 kg per person monthly at fixed prices (₹1-3/kg), targeting food security for poor families via fair price shops (FPS). It doubles as identity and address proof for schemes, jobs, passports, or gas connections, with “One Nation One Ration Card” portability allowing access anywhere in India using Aadhaar-based authentication.
Types of Ration Cards and its Eligibility
| Type | Category | Eligibility Criteria | Entitlements (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) | NFSA (Poorest) | Widows, disabled, destitute, elderly without pension | 35 kg grains (₹1-3/kg) |
| Priority Household (PHH) | NFSA (Poor) | Vulnerable families per state surveys; excludes tax payers, large landowners | 5 kg/person grains (₹1-3/kg) |
| Below Poverty Line (BPL) | TPDS (Legacy) | Identified poor via BPL census | 10-20 kg grains (50% economic cost) |
| Above Poverty Line (APL) | TPDS (Legacy) | Middle/higher income households | 10-20 kg grains (market prices) |
| Non-Priority Household (NPHH) | TPDS (Legacy) | Non-eligible for subsidies | No food subsidy; ID proof only |
| Annapoorna Yojana (AY) | Special | Senior citizens >65 without pension | 10 kg grains (free/subsidized) |
Use of Ration Card
| Use Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Food Subsidies (Primary) | Purchase grains at ₹1-3/kg via FPS: 5 kg/person (PHH), 35 kg/family (AAY) monthly. |
| Identity Proof | Official document verifying name, photo, family members for KYC. |
| Address Proof | Confirms residence for official purposes. |
| Government Schemes | Eligibility for welfare benefits, pensions, scholarships. |
| Portability (ONORC) | Access rations at any FPS nationwide using Aadhaar biometrics. |
| Digital/DBT Integration | e-Ration PDF with QR for POS; enables cash transfers in pilots. |
Ration Card Beneficiary Lists 2025 State-Wise
| State/UT | Official Website | Beneficiary Lists PDF |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan | food.rajasthan.gov.in | Download Now |
| Uttar Pradesh | fcs.up.gov.in | Download Now |
| Odisha | pdsodisha.gov.in | Download Now |
| Gujarat | ipds.gujarat.gov.in | Download Now |
| Maharashtra | rcms.mahafood.gov.in | Download Now |
| Assam | rcms.assam.gov.in | Download Now |
| Haryana | epos.haryanafood.gov.in | Download Now |
| Delhi | nfs.delhigovt.nic.in | Download Now |
Steps to check Your Name in Ration Card Beneficiary Lists
Follow these universal steps via NFSA state portals to verify your name in district/block/FPS-wise lists updated post-e-KYC.
- Visit nfsa.gov.in and click your state/UT for the official PDS system.
- Select district, then rural/urban area, block/gram panchayat/ward, and fair price shop (FPS) name or code from dropdowns.
- View or search the beneficiary list by ration card number, Aadhaar, name of head of household (HOH), or family members; enter captcha for December 2025 data.
- Check details like entitlements (AAY/PHH), family count, and status; download PDF if listed or note exclusions for duplicates/inactivity.
Linking Aadhaar with Ration Card (Mandatory for 2025 Benefits)
Aadhaar seeding is compulsory for all ration card family members under NFSA to validate eligibility, curb ghost cards, and enable biometric authentication at FPS shops nationwide.
- Go to your state PDS page from nfsa.gov.in
- Input ration card number, Aadhaar of head/member, registered mobile, and captcha; OTP sends to Aadhaar-linked phone.
- Enter OTP for instant seeding; track for all members, including children (prorated entitlements under 5 years).
One Nation One Ration Card
One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) is a national portability scheme under NFSA allowing beneficiaries to access subsidized food grains from any fair price shop (FPS) across India using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, regardless of home state.
It integrates 80+ crore beneficiaries via ERCMS, enabling intra-state (same state) and inter-state portability at 5.42 lakh FPS machines nationwide as of December 2025. Transactions use fingerprint/iris scan or OTP on Aadhaar-linked mobile; supports 5 kg/person entitlements without double-dipping via transaction ID sharing.
“Almost a hundred per cent of ration cards across the country have now been digitised,” referring to 20.58 crore household cards. PMGKAY has been extended till 2029, eligible households receive five kg of free food grains per person monthly.: Shri Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
FAQ
What is a ration card used for?
Ration cards provide access to subsidized food grains under NFSA via FPS shops, plus serve as ID/address proof for schemes, jobs, or gas connections.
How do I check if my name is in the 2025 beneficiary list?
Visit nfsa.gov.in and search by name/Aadhaar/card number with captcha.
Is Aadhaar linking mandatory?
Yes, for all members to enable e-KYC.
Can I download an e-ration card?
Yes, PDF from state website post-approval using card/Aadhaar; QR-coded for POS use
