Ration Card is one of the most crucial documents for an Indian Citizen. Not only a Rasan card ensures the entitlement to the food, fuel, or other goods given out at subsidized rates by the Indian Government, but also, it is proof of your citizenship.
Though the Aadhaar card had now replaced the rasan card, before it came into existence, the latter was one of the best ID proofs/documents of one’s citizenship, provided by and validated by the state.
More or less, the rasan card is like a food coupon, proof of your identity, and also enables you to apply for other documents like a Domicile certificate, Birth Certificate, Voter ID card, etc.
Moreover, as the Government itself is promoting digitalization, so now you can do everything regarding ration card online, that too, in just a few clicks. Things regarding digital ration cards include checking ration card status, ration card search, ration card download, and much more.
The essential things that you must know about Ration Card before applying for it!
1. Types of Rasan Card:
- Blue/Yellow/Green/Red Rasan cards
These cards are for the citizens who are below the poverty line (BPL). They enable BPL citizens to get various subsidies on food and other essential goods.
- White Rasan Cards:
These cards are for above poverty line citizens and help them in their identification.
In sum, one can say that there are two types of rasan cards, one for BPL citizens and another for the Above Poverty Line citizens.
2. Who can apply for a Ration Card?
Any individual who is an authentic citizen of India is eligible to apply for the Rasan Card. Minors below 18 years of age are included in their parents’ cards. Nonetheless, any person who is above 18 years of age can apply for a separate Ration Card.
Apply for Ration Card Online- A Step by Step guide!
People usually begin with the ration card search on google. But if you conduct a simple rasan card search without any specifications, then you might end up scratching your head.
Therefore, for a proper ration card search(rasan card search), you must know where to apply, how to apply, and what next.
So, here is a step by step guide, making things easier for you!
STEP 1: Link to apply for a ration card online
The URL that you need to visit to apply for a digital ration card depends on the state you live in. For instance, if you live in Uttar Pradesh, and you need to apply for a UP ration Card, then you must visit the official portal of FCS, UP, i.e., https://fcs.up.gov.in/FoodPortal-en.aspx.
By visiting this official site, you can easily apply for the UP ration card and get one.
Similarly, for Delhi, you must visit the official website of the Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs, GNCT of Delhi Government.
STEP 2: Keep your documents ready beforehand.
To smoothly apply for a digital ration card, you must have your documents available beforehand. Hence, you will not encounter any difficulty while applying.
List of documents that you need:
- Aadhaar card
- Employee identity card
- Voter ID
- Passport
- Any government-issued identity card
- Health card (including the Aaragoyasri card)
- Driving license
STEP 3: How to proceed in the portal?
While applying for a ration card online, you must know what to select in the portal, which category you must choose, which details you need to fill in, and what to do after filling the details.
Therefore, you can go by the following steps:
- Log in to the portal to apply for a rasan card.
- To get food security under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, click on the Application Form.
- Fill in all the required details.
- After filling the details, upload all the necessary documents.
- Click on the ‘Apply Online’ button.
Benefits of using digital Ration cards
Although the Indian Government used printed booklets earlier for a long time, they are swiftly switching to the digital platform and keeping up with the pace of the modern world.
Multiple states started handling the ration card creation process paperlessly, thereby creating digital ration cards.
There are several advantages of using digital ration cards:
- They are hard to copy, unlike the paper booklet.
- They are long-lasting because they are made of plastic, and thus, they don’t get spoilt quickly.
- Fair price shops can easily use them because of the latest advancements in technology. Also, this restricts fake entries and quoting incorrect amounts of food and grain given.
The extent of digitalization in the application process of the ration card!
Different states have different levels of digitalization. Some states only provide online forms; some only offer a link to upload your form, whereas others enable you to check ration card status and even help you in ration card download.
For more information regarding the application of digital ration card, rasan card search, ration card download, and ration card status check, you can visit https://rationcardagent.co.in/.
Ration Cards Latest News
Some of the latest news regarding ration cards are:
- 2 May 2020
The GovernmentGovernment extended the portability of ration cards to five more states!
In simple words, this means that the people will now be able to avail of the beneficiaries from any fair price shop of the country with one ration card.
These five states are:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Punjab
- Himachal Pradesh
- Daman Diu
- 11 May 2020
The Food and Public Distribution Department extended the deadline for all states to complete the seeding of the Adhaar card with the Ration Card till September.
- 18 April 2020
UP Government will be providing ration to the citizens till 30 June 2020. It is a significant step as people are facing a food crisis during this COVID-19 Pandemic.
Anyone having a ration card or any other identity proof like Adhaar card can avail of this facility.
- 28 April 2020
The Supreme Court asks the Central GovernmentGovernment to adopt ‘One nation, one ration card’ scheme throughout lockdown to help people survive in this COVID-19 crisis.
- 20 May 2020
Cabinet Ministry approved the idea of the provision of free food grains to the immigrants.
Ration Card FAQs
1) How can I Check my Ration Card?
You can know the status of your Ration Card Online.
You need to follow some steps. Visit the official Website of the GovernmentGovernment and select the state. Fill all the required credentials, and now you will see your Ration Card Status.
2) How can anyone get a new Ration card?
Here are simple steps to apply for a new ration online,
- Open the official Website of the GovernmentGovernment, https://fcs.up.gov.in/FoodPortal-en.aspx.
- Log In to your portal.
- Click on ‘Application Form.’
- Fill the Application Form.
- Attach the required documents.
- Submit the Application Form.
3) How many types of ration cards are there?
Ration cards. are classified into five categories:
- APL ration card
- BPL ration card
- Antordoy Anna Yojna ration card
- Annapurna Anna Yojna ration card
- Nirashrit Antordoy Anna Yojna ration card
4) Can we check the Status of our Ration Card Offline?
The answer to this question is a big NO!
You can not check the current status offline.
There is no offline portal for this. The only way to check it is via an online portal.
You need to log in to your account and then check the status of your portal.
There is no offline department for such things.
5)What is the benefit of a Ration card?
Ration Cards are not for those people who are able enough to afford everything.
In simple words, they are not for the rich ones.
It is for those people who struggle daily to buy essential items like food, grains, oil, and other things. Anyone who is not able to buy the food essentials from the market because of their high prices will benefit from Ration cards.
A Ration card will help you get/avail all the essential food security plans/items like food grains, oil, and other necessary items at subsidized/low prices.
