How to Link/Update Aadhaar Card with Ration Card Online/Offline?

Last Updated : Dec. 20, 2024, 12:46 p.m.

A Ration Card is an important official document that entitles its holder to government-subsidized food grains and fuel. Introduced five decades ago, it has maintained its popularity in India. To further enhance accessibility and efficiency, individuals can now Link/Update Aadhaar Card with a Ration Card Online/Offline, enabling seamless integration with government welfare schemes.

Apart from providing essential food grains at subsidized rates, a Ration Card serves as proof of identity for the economically disadvantaged and helps them connect to the government database. Ration Cards are categorized into three types:

• Antyodaya (AAY) : For the poorest households.
• BPL (Below Poverty Line) : For families living below the poverty line.
• APL (Above Poverty Line) : For families above the poverty line but still eligible for certain benefits.

The family's financial situation determines eligibility for each card. The government has been urging people to link their Aadhaar cards with important documents such as PAN, Bank accounts, and other important documents including the ration card. Under the National Food Security Act, the state government in India issues the Ration card, which is an authorized document to every household that is entitled to purchase subsidized food grain from the PDS System-Public Distribution System. It also serves as a means of identification for many Indians. The combination of an Aadhaar and a Ration Card entitles you to the government's subsidized LPG. Because ration cards are one of the oldest forms of identification in the country, it is critical to link them with Aadhaar so that the benefits received by the holder can be streamlined and cases of fraud can be avoided.

How to Link an Aadhaar Card with Ration Card?

Linking your Aadhaar Card with your Ration Card is an essential step to ensure access to government-subsidized food grains and other benefits under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This process helps eliminate duplicate or fraudulent ration cards and ensures that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to link your Aadhaar Card with your Ration Card through both online and offline methods.

Link Aadhaar card with Ration card Offline

Linking your Aadhaar Card with your Ration Card through offline means is a straightforward process, designed for individuals who may not have access to the internet. This method ensures that everyone, including those in rural or remote areas, can benefit from government welfare schemes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you complete the offline linking process effortlessly.

• Step 1 - Visit your nearest Ration Shop or local PDS.
• Step 2 - Bring photocopies of your Ration Card as well as Aadhaar Card copies for all members of your family. Carry a passport-sized photograph of the family's head as well.
• Step 3 - If your bank account is not linked to Aadhaar, submit a copy of your bank passbook.
• Step 4 - Submit all of these documents, along with a copy of your Aadhaar card, to the PDS shop.
• Step 5 - The Ration shop representative may request fingerprint authentication for the first time you use Aadhaar.

An SMS notification will be sent to your registered mobile number once the documents are submitted. When the two documents are successfully linked, you will receive another SMS notification.

Link Aadhaar card with Ration card Online

Linking your Aadhaar Card with your Ration Card online is a convenient and time-saving process. It allows you to complete the procedure from the comfort of your home, ensuring seamless integration with government services. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you link your Aadhaar Card with your Ration Card online.

• Step 1- Go to your state's PDS portal's official website.
• Step 2 - Enter your Ration Card information.
• Step 3 - Provide your Aadhaar number.
• Step 4 - Type your registered mobile number.
• Step 5 - Move forward and click the submit button/continue.
• Step 6 - An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number you provided.
• Step 7- Enter the OTP you received to submit your ration card Aadhaar link request.

Moreover, it is important to understand that because there is currently no official portal for ration card Aadhaar link, each state has its portal for ration cards.

Documents Required to Link your Aadhaar Card with Ration Card

There are several documents to link an Aadhaar card with a ration card. Below is a list of documents that are needed for the Aadhaar card and the Ration Card Link:

• For on-site verification, a photocopy of the ration card and the original card are required.
• Aadhaar card copies of all family members
• A copy of the Aadhaar card of the head of the family
• Passport-size photograph of the head of the family
• Copy of bank passbook in the case bank account is not linked with Aadhaar.

What are the Benefits of Linking an Aadhaar Card with a Ration Card?

Linking your Aadhaar Card with your Ration Card offers several benefits, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and convenience in accessing government welfare schemes. Here are the key advantages:

• Elimination of Duplicate and Fake Cards: Linking helps identify and remove duplicate or fake ration cards, ensuring benefits reach the rightful beneficiaries.

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Subsidies are directly credited to the linked Aadhaar bank account, reducing delays and eliminating intermediaries.

• Enhanced Accessibility: Aadhaar-enabled portability allows beneficiaries to access rations from any location, benefiting migrant workers and their families.

• Transparency in Distribution: Linking ensures efficient monitoring and reduces leakages in the Public Distribution System (PDS).

• Simplified Documentation: Aadhaar linkage streamlines the process of availing of ration-related services, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
  
• Integration with Other Schemes: Linked Aadhaar and Ration Cards facilitate access to other government welfare schemes, ensuring holistic benefits for eligible families.

Know Why Linking Aadhaar with a Ration Card is Important!

Linking Aadhaar with a Ration Card is crucial for improving efficiency, ensuring transparency, and delivering benefits effectively under government welfare schemes. Here are the reasons why linking with a ration card is important -

• Prevention of Fraud: It eliminates duplicate and fake ration cards, ensuring benefits are provided only to genuine beneficiaries.

• Portability of Benefits: Aadhaar linkage allows for seamless portability under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, enabling beneficiaries to access rations anywhere in the country.

• Efficient Subsidy Distribution: With Aadhaar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), subsidies are directly credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, reducing intermediaries and delays.

• Transparency in PDS: Linking ensures accurate monitoring and accountability in the Public Distribution System (PDS), minimizing leakages and corruption.

• Ease of Access: Aadhaar integration simplifies the process of updating and managing ration card details, making it more user-friendly.

• Alignment with Other Schemes: Linking facilitates access to multiple welfare schemes, ensuring comprehensive support for eligible households.

This integration is a significant step toward building an efficient and inclusive welfare system for all citizens.

Check the Status of the Aadhaar Link With the Ration Card

Checking the status of your Aadhaar link with your Ration Card is a simple process that ensures your details have been successfully integrated into the system. Here's how you can do it:

Steps to Check Aadhaar Link Status Online

• Visit the Official Website: Go to the Public Distribution System (PDS) portal of your state or the central government's food and civil supplies department.

• Log In: Enter your login credentials or create an account if required.

• Find the Aadhaar Link Status Option: Look for the section labeled "Aadhaar Link Status" or "Ration Card Linking Status."

• Enter Required Details: Provide your Ration Card number, Aadhaar number, or any other required information.

• Submit and View Status: Click the "Submit" button to view the status of your Aadhaar-Ration Card linkage.

Steps to Check Aadhaar Link Status Offline

• Visit the Nearest Ration Office: Go to your local PDS office or fair price shop.

• Provide Necessary Details: Share your Ration Card and Aadhaar numbers with the concerned officer.

• Verify the Status: The officer will check the system and inform you about the status of the linkage.

Note: *By regularly checking the status, you can ensure that your Aadhaar is successfully linked to your Ration Card to continue availing of government benefits without interruptions.

Do you know what a Ration Card is?

A Ration Card is an official document issued by the government of India that entitles its holder to purchase essential commodities such as food grains, fuel, and other subsidized goods from authorized fair-price shops. It is primarily used as a means of identifying households eligible for welfare schemes under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Ration Cards serve as proof of identity and address, especially for people from low-income backgrounds. There are three main types of Ration Cards:

• Antyodaya (AAY) : For the poorest families.
• BPL (Below Poverty Line) : For households living below the poverty line.
• APL (Above Poverty Line) : For families that earn above the poverty line but are still eligible for some government benefits.

The Ration Card system plays a key role in ensuring food security for vulnerable populations and is often linked with other government welfare programs for more comprehensive support.

Conclusion

Linking or updating your Aadhaar Card with your Ration Card, whether online or offline, is a simple yet crucial process to ensure access to government-subsidized benefits. This integration helps eliminate fraud, enhance transparency, and provide seamless access to welfare schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS).

By following the steps outlined for both methods, individuals can easily complete the process based on their convenience and resources. Ensuring your Aadhaar is linked to your Ration Card not only secures your entitlement to subsidies but also promotes efficiency and fairness in the distribution system, ultimately supporting a more inclusive and accountable welfare framework.