Karnataka Government issues ration cards to the households in the state as an official document to obtain food grains at subsidised rates. The issuance of ration cards comes under the National Food Security Act. Ration cards in Karnataka are issued by the Department of Food and Civil Supplies. Apart from providing food grains at subsidised rates, a ration card also serves as identity proof while applying for a PAN card, driver’s licence, income certificate, etc. Karnataka ration card is issued only to the citizens of the state. You can visit the official Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department website of the Karnataka Government to apply for a ration card online.
To check the Karnataka ration card list, follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit the “Ahara” website - ahara.kar.nic.in and click on the ‘e-services’ tab
Step 2: Now, click on “e-Ration” and select “Villages List”.
Step 3: Choose your district, taluk, gram panchayat, and village.
Step 5: Click on “Go”.
Step 6: Now you can view the ration card list of the selected village.
Karatanaka government issues four types of ration cards to its residents:
Priority Household (PHH) Ration Card: These cards are issued to the households in the rural areas of the state. Under this category, the card holders receive food grains every month at a subsidised price.
Commodity |
Price per Kg |
Rice |
₹3 |
Wheat |
₹2 |
Coarse grains |
₹1 |
Antyodaya Anna Yojana Ration Card: These are issued to families with an annual income of less than ₹15,000. They are eligible to obtain food grains at a cheaper cost from the government.
Commodity |
Price per Kg |
Rice |
₹3 |
Wheat |
₹2 |
You must fulfil the following statutory criteria in order to be eligible for a ration card in the state of Karnataka:
Resident of Karnataka: You and all your family members mentioned on the ration card must be permanent residents of the state of Karnataka.
Eligibility for Different Types of Ration Card: The following table illustrates the eligibility criteria for different types of ration cards:
Ration Card Type |
Eligibility Criteria |
Priority Household (PHH) Ration Card |
You must be a resident of a rural area in the state. |
Annapurna Yojna Ration Card |
You must be above 65 years of age. |
Antyodaya Anna Yojna Ration Card |
Your total annual household income must be less than ₹15,000. |
Non-Priority Household (NPHH) Ration Card |
Your annual household income must be above ₹15,000. |
To apply for a ration card online in Karnataka, you have to furnish the below-mentioned documents:
Identity proof
Address proof
Age proof
Income proof
Passport size photograph of family members
Certificate from the Ward Councillor or Pradhan
Tenancy agreement (if the applicant is a tenant)
You need to follow the steps mentioned below to apply for a ration card in Karnataka:
Step 1: Visit the official “Ahara” website and click on the ‘e-services’ tab on the home page.
Step 2: Click on “New Ration Card” in the menu under the “e-Ration Card” option.
Step 3: Select your preferred language and then, on the following page, click on “New Ration Card Request” to apply for a new ration card.
Step 4: Now, you have to select the ration card type you want to apply for.
Step 5: Enter your Aadhaar number for verification.
Step 6: You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP in the designated space.
Step 7: After successful verification, your Aadhaar details will be displayed on the screen.
Step 8: Now, click on the “Add” to generate an application number.
Step 9: Enter your contact details on being prompted.
Step 10: Finally, click on “Save” to submit your application successfully.
Once you have applied for the ration card, you can check its status online. Simply follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department.
Step 2: Click on the “e-Services” tab and scroll down to ‘e-Status’.
Step 3: From that menu, choose “Status of New/Defending Ration Card”.
Step 4: Next, click on the appropriate division and select the “Status of Ration card”.
Step 5: Select the “Verification Type” from the menu and enter the RC number.
Step 6: Click on “Go”.
The status of your ration card will be displayed on your screen.
You need to follow the following steps to get your name changed on your ration card in Karnataka:
Step 1: Download the required application form for the name change from the official website of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department of the state of Karnataka.
Step 2: File an affidavit with the help of a lawyer attesting that you wish to change your name. You will also be required to publish an advertisement regarding your name change in at least two newspapers.
Step 3: Now fill out the application form for name change and submit the same along with the affidavit and the newspaper cuttings of the advertisements to the Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department.
Follow the steps mentioned below to download your Karnataka ration card:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department.
Step 2: Click on the “e-services” tab and scroll down to “e-status”.
Step 3: From that menu, choose “Status New/Defending Ration Card”.
Step 4: Next, click on the appropriate division and select “Status of Ration card”.
Step 5: Select the “Verification Type” from the menu and enter the RC number.
Step 6: Click on ‘Go’.
Step 7: Select the member for whom you want to download the ration card.
Step 8: An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number. Enter this OTP for verification.
Step 9: Scroll down to ‘Ration Card of Karnataka Details’.
Step 10: Select ‘View RC Details’.
This should give you a good idea of the different types of ration cards issued in the state of Karnataka under the National Food Security Act. In case you are a resident of the state, check whether your family qualifies for any of the 4 different types of ration cards issued, and apply for the card in a timely manner.
Your ration card is extremely important because it gives you access to essential foods at subsidised rates, and also acts as an official ID/address proof. You can even use it as a valid document if you wish to apply for home loan financing. Get your housing loan on Bajaj Markets at competitive interest rates and build your dream home.
The ration card will be issued within 15 days from the date of application.
You don’t have to pay any application fee while applying for a new ration card.
You can activate your cancelled APL ration card by sending RCREN <Space> <Your Ration Card Number> to 9212357123 from your registered mobile number. You will receive a token number and a security code via SMS. Now you need to visit your nearest Ration Card Seva Kendra and get your biometric authenticated in order to get your ration card activated.
Yes, newly married couples who belong to Karnataka can apply for a Karnataka ration card.
You can not check your Karnataka Ration Card status using only your mobile number. You will need the ration card number.
While you can not use an APL ration card to obtain food grains at subsidised rates, it does serve as proof of your identity and address. It can also be used to confirm your domicile status- that is, to confirm that you are a permanent resident of the state of Karnataka.