Ration Card

What is a Ration Card?

A Ration Card is a document which is issued and approved by state governments for its residents. One of the main functions of the ration card is that it allows Indian families that are a part of the economically underprivileged sections of the Indian society to purchase the goods which are necessary for human survival at subsidised rates. The kind of products that a Ration cardholder can purchase at discounted prices with the help of the document are such as food items, kerosene, grains, pulses and dairy products, amongst others.

Historically, Ration Cards have proven to be very helpful to the individuals who have had a difficult time purchasing the kind of products mentioned above at grocery store rates. Typically, people who fall under the below poverty line (BPL) have been observed to be the ones who make use of a Rashan Card frequently. In addition to the same, a Ration Card also performs the function of proof of identity and address. It is also one of the many documents that an individual can furnish at the time of applying for other forms of identification issued by the government.

What are the Types of Ration (Rashan) Cards

There are four types of ration cards recognized by the government of India. These categories are decided based on total household income.

• White Ration Card: An individual who is above the poverty line as per the government’s definition is issued a white Ration Card. The colour white is indicative of the Indian socio-economic group that the holder belongs to.

• Orange Ration Cards: Orange Ration Cards are issued to those people who are living just right below the poverty line. Orange Ration Cards allow the people of this particular socio-economic group to purchase food and grains at highly subsidised rates, which are revised by the state governments on a timely basis.

• Yellow Ration Cards: People who earn a yearly income that is less than the remuneration received by an Orange Card Holder are issued Yellow Ration Cards. Yellow Ration Card holders typically belong to the most economically unfortunate groups. In addition to this, they are a top priority for the government in terms of the provision of food and groceries. People who hold a Yellow Ration Card tend to take up jobs which are unstable or seasonal in nature, which could also cause them to either be occasionally unemployed, homeless or both at the same time.

List of Official Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs (PDS Portal)

What is the Eligibility Criteria for a Ration Card

If you wish to apply for a Ration Card online, you will have to ensure that you meet the basic eligibility criteria first which includes -

• No one should have applied for a Ration Card on your behalf

• You should be the first one from your family to apply for the ration card

• You should be an Indian citizen

List of Documents Required for Ration Card

Now that you have ensured that you and your family meet the ration card eligibility criteria, you will have to arrange a few documents. Those documents concern your identity, residence and income. You can find a list of ration card documents below -

In order to apply for a Ration Card online/offline, you will need

1. A copy of the State Application form

2. A Proof of Identity (acceptable documents: Driving Licence, Election ID, Government ID Card, Passport)

3. Residence Proof (acceptable documents: Telephone Bill, Electricity, LPG Receipt, Bank Passbook, Rental Agreement)

4. A picture of the family head

5. A proof of the annual income of the applicant

6. Your cancelled/surrendered Ration Card, if you have one

How to Apply for a Ration (Rashan) Card Online or Offline?

There are various ways through which you can apply for a Ration Card. Either you can apply for a Ration Card online or you can carry out the process offline. What you will find below is a step-by-step list of the processes that you will have to follow if you want to apply for a Ration Card online or otherwise.

Steps to Apply for a Ration Card Online:

• Step 1: You can first try visiting the official website of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department of the state of your residence.

• Step 2: All you will need are the documents stated on the portal in question which you will have to submit after filling the online application form.

• Step 3: After submitting it, a representative of the organisation will contact you in order to further assist you with the process.

• Step 4: If all of the documents submitted by you are correct and verified, the Ration Card will be sent to the address that you have given.

• Step 5: Alternatively, you can visit third-party websites who specialise in helping Ration Card applicants with the process.

• Step 6: You can visit their website, submit the form downloaded by you and upload it with the required documents. Shortly after the same, you can then expect to receive the Ration Card soon.

Steps to Apply for a Ration Card Offline:

• Step 1: You will have to follow a format for an SMS (As would be stated on the website of your local Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department) which you will have to send on one of the numbers stated on the same.

• Step 2: You should then receive a message, instructing you to follow a particular process for the purpose of applying for a Ration Card.

• Step 3: You can also reach out to them via a Toll-Free/Customer Care number stated on the state government’s website.

• Step 4: Once you make the call, you will be filled in on the process that needs to be followed in order to apply for your Ration Card.

• Step 5: You can also visit the officials of your local Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department in person along with all the necessary documents. You will have to follow the process specified by them so that you can successfully apply for a Ration Card.

How to Check Your Ration Card Application Status

• Step 1: If you want to check the Ration Card status online, you can do so on the official website of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department of the state that you live in.

• Step 2: Under the E-services section, you will find the option of checking the status of your Ration Card application.

The above steps could have one of the two outcomes; Either you will see a list of the names of the people who have recently applied for a Ration Card and their respective status, or, you will need to punch in the details required out of you and then log in. Once you have logged in, you should be able to receive the information concerning the same.

How can you Download and Print your Ration Card Online

Once your Ration Card application has been approved, you can download and print it for future use. Following are the steps to download it-

• Step 1: You will need your credentials to log in to the ration card portal and check the status of your Ration Card application.

• Step 2: Once it has been approved, you will find the option of downloading or printing it.

• Step 3: The printed version of the Ration Card should contain all of the necessary details you will need to purchase food items for yourself at subsidised rates.

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Conclusion 

While a ration card is not a mandatory document in India, it can be beneficial to get your card if you are eligible. With the rapid digitization of public welfare systems in India, you can now apply for your ration card online in most Indian states. Remember to keep the paperwork ready, so the application process is smooth and hassle-free.

A ration card not only makes it easier to purchase provisions at subsidised rates, but also helps you with other official application procedures. Availing loans becomes easy too, since your ration card is a valid ID/address proof. If you wish to avail house loan at attractive rates of interest today, visit Bajaj Markets and check out your options.

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