A Ration Card is an official document issued by the State Government to households eligible to buy food grains and essential commodities at subsidized rates under the Public Distribution System (PDS) of the government .
It also works as:
- Identity proof for individuals and families at various places.
- A residency proof document for many government schemes and exams.
- A family record of the number of members and their entitlements etc.
Steps to Download Ration Card :
You can download your ration card (soft copy) from your respective State/UT PDS portal. Steps may differ slightly by state, but the process is mostly similar for ration cards :
Steps
- Go to the official State Ration Card / PDS portal of the government .
- A full list of state portals is available on the NFSA https://nfsa.gov.in/portal/ration_card_state_portals_aa?
- Select “Ration Card Search / Ration Card Details” option given there.
- Enter required details like:
- Ration Card Number / RC Number
- Aadhaar Number
- Family Head Name / District / Block
- Submit the details and verify with OTP (if asked; sent on your number).
- Once details are shown as you asked → Click Download / Print Ration Card (PDF).
You can save or print this PDF as a valid ration card copy as you prefer .
Other Methods to Download Ration Card :
Apart from state websites, ration card details can also be accessed by these methods :
- Mobile Apps → Many states (like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi) have ePDS or PDS apps from which you can log in and download ration card.
- Common Service Centers (CSC) → Visit your nearest CSC / Jan Seva Kendra with Aadhaar and basic details. The operator can print your ration card for you .
- SMS Services (in some states) → By sending an SMS with ration card number to a given helpline, you can get details of your ration card on your mobile phone .
How to Apply for a New Ration Card
If you don’t have a ration card, you can apply through your State Food & Civil Supplies Department.
Steps to Apply Online
- Visit your State Food & Civil Supplies Department / PDS portal.
- Look for “Apply New Ration Card” option.
- Fill in details:
- Applicant Name
- Family Members’ details
- Aadhaar numbers
- Address proof (Electricity Bill / Rent Agreement / Voter ID etc.)
- Income Certificate (if asked)
- Upload scanned documents as asked.
- Submit the form and note down the Application Number given there.
- Verification will be done by local authorities → Once approved, ration card will be issued and can be downloaded from the state portal.
Steps to Apply Offline
- Get a ration card application form from:
- Your nearest Ration Shop / FPS (Fair Price Shop), or
- Food Supply Office, or
- Common Service Center (CSC).
- Fill in all details and attach photocopies of Aadhaar, residence proof, income proof, and family details.
- Submit to the local office of your area.
- After verification, the ration card will be issued and delivered (either as a physical card or digital version).