The Ration Card is a vital document for many Indian Citizens, whether below the poverty line or above it. As you may know, this card serves both food security and ID proof purposes. Bookmark this handy article by Cashify that walks you through everything you need to know about Ration Card list Search and how to apply for a new Ration Card Online.
The Ration Card is governed by the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA). Administering Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) Ration Cards comes under the respective State Government or Union Territory.
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To apply for a new Ration Card or to search your card in the Ration Card list, visit your respective State/Union Territory Food Portals.
Let’s begin!
Ration Card Application Requirements and Eligibility
All Ration card applicants must be bonafide residents of an Indian State, and Indian Citizens.
They should not have any other ration card within the state or outside as this is considered fraud and is legally punishable by law.
To apply for a new ration card, you need the following documents:
- Proof of Residence (rent agreement document/ telephone bill/ gas bill/ passport/ front page of bank passbook).
- Surrender certificate/ Deletion certificate/ No card certificate if there is no previous family card.
- Details about earlier applications and rejections (if applicable).
- LPG connection details, if any.
- Mobile number/email id.
- A self-addressed and stamped postal cover or postcard.
Types of Ration Card
There are 4 types of Ration Card for obtaining various subsidies on food, fuel and other state-subsidized goods.
Blue Ration Card
For families living below the poverty line (BPL). This card may be blue, yellow or green depending on your state and covers families whose total annual income is below Rs.6400/- in rural areas and below Rs.11,850/- in urban areas.
Issued to families who do not have access to an LPG or Gas connection, it enables them to purchase subsidized fuel in addition to subsidized food products.
Pink Ration Card
This card is for families living above the poverty line (APL) who are not eligible for the blue card but want subsidized food products. In rural areas, these cards are orange coloured, while in urban areas, they are pink coloured with a photograph of the head of the family.
White Ration Card
This card is for people living well above the poverty line and serves as an ID.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana
A scheme for the poorest of the poor, a ration card for this scheme holders is the same as or slightly different than the blue Ration Card.
Applying for Ration Card and Searching List via State Ration Card Websites:
Since every state and union territory has its own Ration Card registration and tracking system, there is no unified platform as of yet. We suspect that it may be on the way in a few years. Right now, the only way to apply for Ration Card online is by going to the state websites and filling up the forms there.
Find below a list of Links full of State Government Ration Card Websites. Here you can check your application status, confirm if you already have a ration card or not, and find more assistance. Some of these links may not work temporarily, as these sites experience a lot of traffic.
That was everything you needed to know about applying for a Ration Card or Rashan Card online! Know an easier online way to do that? Tell us in the comments below!
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Shantanu
An Entrepreneur and Freelancer, I am a Generalist who dabbles in everything. From green tech to education for underprivileged children, I pitch in my diverse skillset wherever it may send ripples, in the hope of making waves.