Ration Card — Check Status, Download, Update & More

Already applied for a ration card? This guide covers everything that comes next — checking your application status, downloading your e-ration card, adding or removing family members, correcting details, using ONORC to get ration in any state, and filing complaints.

Haven't applied yet? Read our complete guide on How to Apply for Ration Card Online. We also have state-specific guides for Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

How to Check Ration Card Application Status

After submitting your ration card application, you can track its status online through your state's Food & Civil Supplies portal.

General Steps (Most States)

1. Visit your state's Food & Civil Supplies / PDS portal
2. Look for "Application Status" or "Track Application"
3. Enter your Application Number or Reference Number (given at time of application)
4. Click Search or Check Status
5. Your application status will show — Pending, Under Verification, Approved, or Rejected

State-Wise Portals for Status Check

Tip: If you applied offline at the Taluk/Tehsil office, your reference number will be on the acknowledgement slip. Keep it safe.

Through NFSA Portal

You can also verify if your ration card is listed under NFSA:

1. Go to nfsa.gov.in
2. Select your State → District → Taluk/Block → FPS (Fair Price Shop)
3. Browse the beneficiary list to find your name

How to Download e-Ration Card Online

Most states now offer digital/electronic ration cards that you can download and use. Here's how:

General Steps

1. Visit your state's PDS or Food Department portal
2. Log in with your registered mobile number or credentials
3. Go to "Download Ration Card" or "e-Ration Card" section
4. Enter your Ration Card Number or Aadhaar Number
5. Verify with OTP sent to your registered mobile
6. Download the PDF — this is your official e-ration card

State Examples

• UP: Visit fcs.up.gov.in → NFSA Ration Card → Download
• Bihar: epds.bihar.gov.in → Ration Card Details
• Tamil Nadu: tnpds.gov.in → Smart Ration Card Download
• Maharashtra: rcms.mahafood.gov.in → Download Ration Card
• Karnataka: ahara.kar.nic.in → Search Ration Card → Download

Using Mera Ration App

The Mera Ration mobile app (available on Google Play Store) lets you:

• View ration card details
• Check monthly entitlements
• Find nearest Fair Price Shop
• See transaction history

Note: The e-ration card is legally valid. You can show it on your phone at the Fair Price Shop along with Aadhaar-based biometric verification.

How to Add a Family Member to Ration Card

When a new member joins your family (birth, marriage, adoption), you should add them to your ration card to increase your quota.

Documents Required

• Existing ration card
• Aadhaar card of new member
• Proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, adoption deed)
• Passport-size photographs
• Self-declaration form (available at office or portal)

Online Process (Available in Most States)

1. Visit your state's Food Department portal
2. Log in with your ration card credentials
3. Select "Add Member" or "Modification"
4. Fill in the new member's details — name, age, gender, Aadhaar number, relation
5. Upload required documents (Aadhaar, birth/marriage certificate)
6. Submit the application
7. Note down the reference number for tracking

Offline Process

1. Visit your nearest Tehsil / Taluk / Block office or Food & Civil Supplies office
2. Collect the Form for Addition of Member (or download from state portal)
3. Fill the form and attach documents
4. Submit to the counter — get an acknowledgement receipt
5. A field officer may visit for verification
6. Once approved, the updated ration card will be issued

Timeline: Usually 15–30 days for approval, depending on the state.

How to Remove a Member from Ration Card

You may need to remove a member in case of:

• Death of a family member
• Marriage (member moving to spouse's ration card)
• Separation or family split
• Member got their own ration card

Documents Required

• Existing ration card
• Death certificate (in case of death)
• Marriage certificate (in case of marriage)
• Written application / self-declaration
• Aadhaar of the member being removed

Process

1. Online: Log in to your state portal → Select "Remove Member" / "Deletion" → Enter details → Upload documents → Submit
2. Offline: Visit the Food & Civil Supplies office → Submit application with supporting documents → Get acknowledgement

Important: If the head of family (HOF) has died, you need to apply for transfer of ration card to another family member, not just removal.

How to Correct Details in Ration Card

Errors in your ration card (wrong name spelling, incorrect age, old address) can be corrected online or offline.

Common Corrections

• Name spelling correction
• Date of birth / age correction
• Address change (within same state)
• Gender correction
• Mobile number update
• Aadhaar number correction

Documents Required

• Current ration card
• Aadhaar card (with correct details)
• Supporting proof for the correction (birth certificate, school certificate, utility bill for address)
• Application form

Online Process

1. Visit your state's Food Department portal
2. Log in → Go to "Ration Card Correction" or "Edit Details"
3. Select the field you want to correct
4. Enter the correct information
5. Upload supporting documents
6. Submit and note the reference number

Offline Process

1. Visit the Tehsil / Block / Food office
2. Submit a written application mentioning the correction needed
3. Attach supporting documents
4. Get acknowledgement slip
5. Correction is usually done within 15–30 days

How to Surrender Ration Card

If you no longer need a ration card (e.g., income increased above the limit, moving abroad, duplicate card), you should surrender it.

Process

1. Write an application addressed to the Food Supply Officer of your area
2. Attach the original ration card
3. Mention the reason for surrender
4. Submit at the Food & Civil Supplies office
5. Get an acknowledgement receipt

Some states also allow online surrender through their portals.

Why surrender? Holding a ration card you're not eligible for is a punishable offence under NFSA. Voluntary surrender is the right thing to do.

One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)

ONORC is a landmark reform that allows ration card holders to buy subsidised food grains from any Fair Price Shop in India, regardless of which state issued their card.

How ONORC Works

• Your ration card is linked to your Aadhaar
• At any FPS in India, your identity is verified through Aadhaar biometric authentication (ePoS)
• The system checks your entitlement and deducts the quantity from your monthly quota
• Works across all 36 states and UTs

How to Use ONORC

1. Ensure your Aadhaar is linked to your ration card (see section below)
2. Visit any Fair Price Shop in any state
3. Provide your Aadhaar number or use biometric authentication
4. The ePoS machine will verify your identity and show your entitlement
5. Collect your ration

Who Benefits from ONORC?

• Migrant workers who move between states for work
• Students studying in a different state
• Anyone temporarily living away from their home state

Check ONORC Transactions

Visit the IMPDS portal at impds.nic.in to see state-wise portability transactions.

All 36 states and UTs are now covered under ONORC. You don't need to apply separately — if your Aadhaar is linked, you're automatically covered.

How to Link Aadhaar to Ration Card

Aadhaar linking is mandatory for receiving subsidised ration under NFSA. It's also required for ONORC portability.

Online Process

1. Visit your state's PDS portal
2. Look for "Aadhaar Seeding" or "Link Aadhaar"
3. Enter your Ration Card Number
4. Enter Aadhaar Number for each family member
5. Verify with OTP sent to Aadhaar-linked mobile
6. Submit — linking is usually instant or takes 2–3 days

Offline Process

1. Visit your nearest Fair Price Shop or Food Office
2. Carry your ration card and Aadhaar card (for all members)
3. Fill the Aadhaar seeding form
4. Submit — the FPS dealer or officer will update the records

Through Mera Ration App

1. Download Mera Ration app from Google Play Store
2. Register with your mobile number
3. Enter ration card details
4. Link Aadhaar for each member

Check linking status: Visit nfsa.gov.in → "Know Your Ration Card Status" to verify if Aadhaar is linked.

How to Search Ration Card by Name or Number

Want to check if your name is in the ration card list, or find your ration card number? Here's how:

Search on NFSA Portal

1. Go to nfsa.gov.in
2. Click on "Ration Card" section
3. Select State → District → Block/Taluk → FPS
4. Browse the list of beneficiaries
5. Click on your ration card number to see full details (all members, entitlement, Aadhaar status)

Search on State Portals

Most state portals allow searching by:

• Ration Card Number
• Head of Family Name
• Aadhaar Number
• Mobile Number

Using Aadhaar Number

On many state portals, you can enter your Aadhaar number to find which ration card you're listed under. This is helpful if you've lost your ration card number.

How to File a Ration Card Complaint

If you face issues — FPS dealer not giving full ration, corruption, rejected application without reason, poor quality grains — you can file a complaint.

Online Complaint Options

1. CPGRAMS (Central): Visit pgportal.gov.in → Register → File complaint under "Food & Public Distribution"
2. State Portal: Most state Food Department portals have a Grievance or Complaint section
3. Toll-Free Helpline: Call 1967 (National Food Security Helpline) or 1800-11-0841

Steps to File on CPGRAMS

1. Go to pgportal.gov.in
2. Click "Lodge Grievance"
3. Register with mobile number and email
4. Select Ministry: Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
5. Describe your complaint in detail
6. Upload evidence (photos, documents) if available
7. Submit — you'll get a Grievance Registration Number
8. Track status using this number

State Helplines

Every state has a food department helpline. Check your state portal for the specific number. You can also:

• Visit the District Food & Civil Supplies Officer in person
• Write to the State Food Commission
• Approach the District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO)

Timeline: Complaints should be resolved within 30–60 days as per NFSA guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long does it take to get a ration card after applying?

Typically 15 to 45 days, depending on your state. Some states like Delhi and Tamil Nadu process faster (15–20 days), while others may take up to 45 days. You can track the status online using your application reference number.

2. Can I use my ration card in another state?

Yes! Under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, you can buy subsidised ration from any Fair Price Shop in India. Your Aadhaar must be linked to your ration card for this to work.

3. What if my Aadhaar is not linked to my ration card?

You may face issues getting ration as Aadhaar-based authentication is now mandatory at most FPS. Link your Aadhaar immediately through your state portal, the Mera Ration app, or by visiting your FPS dealer.

4. Can I download my ration card online?

Yes, most states offer e-ration card download through their Food Department portals. You need your ration card number and registered mobile number for OTP verification.

5. How do I change the head of family on my ration card?

If the current head of family has died or is incapacitated, you can apply for transfer of HOF at your Food & Civil Supplies office. Submit the death certificate (if applicable), Aadhaar of the new HOF, and a written application. Some states also allow this online.

6. What should I do if the FPS dealer is giving less ration than my entitlement?

File a complaint through the 1967 helpline, your state's food portal grievance section, or on pgportal.gov.in. You can also approach the District Food & Civil Supplies Officer directly.

7. Is there a fee for ration card modifications?

Most modifications (adding member, correction, deletion) are free of charge. Some states may charge a nominal processing fee of ₹5–₹25. Check your state portal for exact charges.

Summary

For a complete guide on how to apply for a new ration card, read: How to Apply for Ration Card Online — Step by Step Guide

State-specific guides: Bihar · Uttar Pradesh · Tamil Nadu · Maharashtra · Karnataka