How to Get a Ration Card in India

A Ration Card is a very useful document for many Indian citizens. It helps in two main ways:

1. Discounted essentials. People can save money on purchases of a limited amount of essential commodities every month from Government Fair Price Shops.
2. Form of identification. As it is issued by State Governments, a ration card is considered a form of identification in India. It can be used as identification to avail services such as getting a Voter Card, etc.

Any person who does not have a ration card, and whose name is not included in someone else's ration card, can apply for their own. Family members living in the same household and sharing the same kitchen are supposed to have one ration card for the entire family, with each family member's name included on the card.

How to get a Ration Card

To apply for a new ration card in India, the first step is to get an application form from the Circle Office near your permanent residence. A sample of the form required can be seen HERE.

The following documents are generally required with your filled-in application form:

• Three passport-size photographs of the head of the family, attested by a Gazetted Officer / MLA / MP / Municipal Councillor.
• Proof of residence. This can be house registration documents, tax receipts, a major utility bill such as an electricity bill, or any other proof of residence acceptable to the authorities. Tenants could, for instance, get residency notes from their landlord.
  • If the applicant is unable to provide acceptable proof-of-residence documentation, the Circle Officer will normally accept statements from two independent witnesses in the applicant's neighbourhood.

Verification

Once the application and documents are submitted, an officer from the Circle Office will perform a random check at your residence to confirm the validity of your application. They make a personal visit for this purpose.

Expected timeline

While the process is supposed to take about 15 days, don't bank on it. Ration card verification offices are sometimes said to ask for bribes to approve and expedite applications. In September 2008, the Times of India reported a case where a person in Pune was asked to pay Rs. 2,000 to get his ration card.

Cautions about ration cards

Many fraudulent ration cards are also floating around in India, as people use such cards for identification when seeking various services.

• If you have a ration card — even if you don't use it to make purchases or as identification — you should keep it in a safe place. You don't want someone using your identity for questionable acts.
• A lost ration card should be reported to the authorities.

In a bid to avoid the use of fake ration cards, some State Governments are planning to issue smart-card-type ration cards with biometric verification in the near future.

CLICK TO VIEW SAMPLE OF RATION CARD APPLICATION

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