How can I update my phone number on my ration card?

To update your phone number on your ration card, follow these steps: Visit the official PDS website of your state government. Enter the ration card number. Provide your registered mobile number. Click on the “Submit” button. An OTP will be sent to you; enter it to proceed. After verification, you will receive an acknowledgement number. Your request to update the phone number has been submitted.

How can I check if my ration card is linked to my Aadhaar card?

To confirm whether your Aadhaar Card is linked to your ration card, bring a copy of both your Aadhaar Card and Ration Card to the nearest Public Distribution Shop (PDS). Your identity will be verified using your Aadhaar and finger biometrics.

Is it mandatory to link Aadhaar to my ration card?

Yes, the government has mandated that Aadhaar must be linked to your ration card. This measure helps eliminate duplication and ensures that eligible families can access their entitled benefits by preventing multiple ration cards for a single household.

How can I update my KYC details on my ration card?

To update your KYC details such as the head of the family’s name, adding new family members, or changing your contact number, visit the official PDS portal of your state and provide the necessary details.

What is the official website for Aadhaar linking?

To link your Aadhaar with a ration card, you can visit the official PDS portal of your respective state.

How to Link Aadhar with Ration Card - Online & Offline Process

A ration card is a vital government-issued document that ensures access to subsidized food, grains, and fuel. Introduced more than 50 years ago, it remains widely used in India. One individual cannot possess more than one ration card. To prevent duplicate cards, the government has made it mandatory to link Aadhaar with the ration card.

Besides providing food grains at subsidized rates, the ration card serves as a crucial identification proof and can be connected to the government database. It is categorized into three types: Antyodaya, Below Poverty Line (BPL), and Above Poverty Line (APL).

This article explains both online and offline methods for linking Aadhaar with the ration card.

How to Link Ration Card with Aadhaar Online

Several states offer an online procedure for linking Aadhaar with ration cards. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official PDS portal of your respective state.

Step 2: Enter your Ration Card number.

Step 3: Provide your Aadhaar number.

Step 4: Enter the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar.

Step 5: Click on the continue/submit button to proceed.

Step 6: You will receive an OTP (One Time Password) on your registered mobile.

Step 7: Enter the OTP to complete the process of linking your Aadhaar with the ration card.

How to Link Ration Card with Aadhaar Offline

If you prefer an offline method, visit your local PDS or ration shop. Linking your Aadhaar with the ration card offers the following advantages:

To search for ration cards using Aadhaar
Check your ration card status using your Aadhaar number

Here are the steps to link Aadhaar with a ration card offline:

Step 1: Visit your local PDS or ration shop.
Step 2: Bring photocopies of your ration card and Aadhaar card for all household members. Also, carry a passport-sized photograph of each member.
Step 3: If your bank account is not linked to Aadhaar, provide a copy of your bank passbook.
Step 4: Submit these documents, including a copy of your Aadhaar card, to the PDS shop.
Step 5: If this is your first time using Aadhaar, you may need to authenticate with your fingerprint.

After submission, an SMS will be sent to your registered phone number. You will receive a notification once the Aadhaar-ration card linking is successful.

How to Link Aadhaar to Ration Card via SMS

To link your Aadhaar to the ration card via SMS, follow these steps:

Step 1: In the SMS body, write "UID SEED State Short Code> Scheme/Program Short Code> Scheme/Program ID> Aadhaar Number>" and send it to 51969. For example: UID SEED MH POSC 9876543 123478789012.

Step 2: You will receive alerts confirming the receipt, successful verification, and linkage of your Aadhaar to the ration card.

Why is Aadhaar Ration Card Linking Important?

Linking Aadhaar to the ration card helps prevent individuals from obtaining duplicate ration cards.
It enables the government to identify ineligible individuals whose income exceeds the rationing threshold, ensuring only eligible people receive subsidized food and fuel.
Ration cards are issued to families for subsidized food and fuel. Additionally, it serves as proof of identity and residence.

Documents Required for Aadhaar Ration Card Linking

These are the documents needed for Aadhaar-Ration Card linking:

For on-site verification, provide a photocopy of your ration card along with the original card.
Aadhaar card copies for all family members
Aadhaar photocopy of the household head
A passport-sized photograph of the household head
If the bank account is not linked to Aadhaar, a passbook copy is required.

Advantages of Linking Aadhaar with Ration Card

Here are the key benefits of linking Aadhaar with the ration card:

It will reduce the number of fraudulent Ration Cardholders who claim subsidies meant for BPL families.
Once Aadhaar is linked to a Ration Card, individuals cannot hold multiple ration cards under false identities.
Fraudulent activities will be minimized once Aadhaar is linked to a Ration Card.
The biometric-enabled distribution system will assist PDS stores in recognizing legitimate beneficiaries and optimizing benefits.
It will help tackle ration diversion and leakage in the PDS system.
Aadhaar enables an audit trail within the Public Distribution System, reducing corruption by eliminating middlemen and improving efficiency.

How to Link Aadhar to Ration Card?