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Ration Card

A family card issued by the state food department for buying subsidised or free foodgrains from fair price (ration) shops. It is also widely used as proof of address and family details.

Official fees

ServiceFee
NFSA card (PHH or AAY), most statesFree in most states; ₹60 at TN e-Sevai centres
Gujarat: AAY / BPL / APL 1 / APL 2Free / ₹5 / ₹10 / ₹20

To confirm Some figures are from secondary sources. Confirm on the official portal before paying.

Documents to keep ready

Tick what you already have. The shared list shows each one as ready or pending.

How to apply

  1. Open your state food department portal or visit a service centre
  2. Choose the card type and fill in family details
  3. Upload Aadhaar, address and income proofs
  4. Submit and note the application number
  5. Attend field verification by the inspector
  6. Download the e-ration card or collect the card once approved

By state

This fee is set by each state, so it differs. Each row shows whether we matched it to the official government site.

StateFeeTimeWhere to apply
DelhiFreeTo confirm SourceNot published onlinenfs.delhi.gov.inNew NFSA cards issued only when slots are free under the state quota; food dept site did not load
MaharashtraNot published onlineTo confirm Source30 daysrcms.mahafood.gov.inYellow, Orange and White cards; 30 day limit notified on Aaple Sarkar (Demand for new ration card) and by the Controller of Rationing, Mumbai; fee not stated on either
West BengalFreeTo confirm Source30 daysfood.wb.gov.in30 day limit per Food and Supplies notification 2950-FS of 25.10.2013; fee not stated officially
Tamil Nadu₹60 at e-Sevai centreChecked on official site Source15 daystnpds.gov.inCan also apply on tnpds.gov.in; card types PHH, PHH-AAY, NPHH, NPHH-S
KarnatakaPHH and AAY free, APL ₹100To confirm SourceNot published onlineahara.kar.nic.inAPL cards via Seva Sindhu; new BPL (PHH) applications open only in certain windows
TelanganaFree to applyTo confirm SourceNot published onlineepds.telangana.gov.in / MeeSevaCalled a Food Security Card (FSC); apply through MeeSeva, centre charges may apply
GujaratAAY free, BPL ₹5, APL 1 ₹10, APL 2 ₹20Checked on official site Source7 daysdigitalgujarat.gov.inFee and 7 day limit as listed by the Mehsana district office
Uttar PradeshFree; ₹15 e-District user charge reportedTo confirm SourceNot published onlinefcs.up.gov.inApply online or at CSC; secondary source quotes 30 days
BiharNot published onlineTo confirm SourceNot published onlineepds.bihar.gov.inApply via RTPS portal or counter; fee not verified
RajasthanNot published onlineTo confirm SourceNot published onlinefood.rajasthan.gov.inApply via e-Mitra or SSO; fee not verified
Madhya PradeshNot published onlineTo confirm SourceNot published onlinerationmitra.nic.inEligibility slip (patrata parchi) linked to Samagra ID; fee not verified
HaryanaNot published onlineTo confirm SourceNot published onlineepds.haryanafood.gov.inCard tied to Family ID (PPP); fee not verified
Good to know
  • Under NFSA, AAY families get 35 kg grain a month and PHH members get 5 kg each, free of cost under PMGKAY
  • With One Nation One Ration Card you can draw ration at any fair price shop in India using Aadhaar biometrics
  • Keep e-KYC done for every member, or names may be removed
  • Use only the official state portal; agents who promise a BPL card for money are not authorised

Common questions

Can I get ration in another state with my card?
Yes. Under One Nation One Ration Card, NFSA beneficiaries can take ration at any fair price shop in India after Aadhaar authentication. The Mera Ration app shows nearby shops.
What is the difference between PHH and AAY?
AAY (Antyodaya) is for the poorest households and gives 35 kg per family per month. PHH (Priority Household) gives 5 kg per person per month. States decide who qualifies.
Can I have ration cards in two places?
No. A family can hold only one ration card. Surrender the old card before applying in a new place.

Aksar pooche jaane wale sawaal

Yahi jaankari, Hinglish mein.

Ration card kaise banaye?
nfsa.gov.in (links to each state portal) par apply karein. Steps: Open your state food department portal or visit a service centre; Choose the card type and fill in family details; Upload Aadhaar, address and income proofs; Submit and note the application number.
Ration card banane mein kitna fees lagta hai?
Ration card ki fees har state mein alag hai. Upar 'Your state' mein apna state chunein. Kuch states: Delhi: Free; Uttar Pradesh: Free; ₹15 e-District user charge reported.
Ration card ke liye kaun se documents chahiye?
Yeh documents taiyaar rakhein: Aadhaar of every family member; Proof of address, e.g. electricity bill or rent agreement; Income certificate or self declaration (for PHH or AAY); Passport size photo of the head of family (usually the eldest woman); Bank passbook; Surrender or deletion certificate if you had a card in another state or area.
Ration card kitne din mein milta hai?
Aam taur par: About 7 to 30 days after verification, depending on the state.

Sources: nfsa.gov.in controllerofrationing-mumbai.gov.in aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in mahesana.nic.in g.indiacustomercare.com (secondary)

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