Benefits and Status of the Different Categories of Ration Cards

Under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, India provides families with several kinds of ration cards according to their income, eligibility, and food security status. These ration cards function as legitimate government-issued identification credentials and assist households in obtaining subsidized food grains.

Ration Card Categories Demystified: Who Gets What & Why It Matters

To access welfare programs, it is necessary to comprehend the various ration card varieties and their advantages. Here’s a brief summary:

A Ration Card: What Is It?

An official document issued by the state governments in question is a ration card. In accordance with the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, this card allows eligible households to purchase food grains at reduced prices.

In the past, the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) allowed eligible families to purchase food grains at reduced prices based on the state governments’ identification.

The National Food and Security Act (NFSA) was established in 2013 with the goal of giving individuals access to a specific amount of food of a specified quality at a reasonable cost. A Priority Household (PHH) ration card and a Non-Priority Household (NPHH) ration card are currently issued to qualified households in each state by the state governments that have adopted the NFSA.

5 Different Types of Ration Cards in India

There are 5 different types of ration cards in India provided under the NFSA and TPDS, which are as follows:

• Priority Household (PHH) ration card – This card is given to households that meet the eligibility criteria set by the government. Each household is entitled to 5kg of food grains per person per month.
• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card – This card is issued to households that are identified as Antyodaya families by the government. Each household is entitled to 35kg of food grains per month per family.
• APL (Above Poverty Line) ration card – This card was issued to households living above the poverty line.
• BPL (Below Poverty Line) ration card – This card was issued to households living below the poverty line.
• AY (Annapurna Yojna) ration card – This card was given to older people who are poor and above 65 years.

Please note that the APL, BPL and AY ration cards are no longer issued in India. Currently, only the PPH and NPHH cards are issued under the NFSA.

Below are the details of the ration cards issued under the NFSA and TPDS.

Ration Cards Under NFSA, 2013: Types and Eligibility Explained

The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 aims to provide subsidized food grains to eligible households through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Ration cards issued under NFSA are categorized by the state governments, which are responsible for identifying and distributing benefits to eligible citizens. These cards determine the quantity and pricing of food grains distributed via Fair Price Shops (FPS).

Types of Ration Cards under NFSA

1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card

The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card is issued to the poorest and most vulnerable families, particularly those without a stable income.

Who is eligible for AAY?

• Daily wage workers, such as rickshaw pullers, porters, coolies, etc.

• Unemployed individuals

• Elderly citizens without support

• Destitute women and other economically weaker sections

Benefits:

• 35 kg of food grains per family per month

  • 15 kg of wheat

  • 20 kg of rice

• Subsidized prices:

  • ₹3 per kg for rice

  • ₹2 per kg for wheat

2. Priority Household (PHH) Ration Card

Families not eligible for AAY but still requiring assistance fall under the Priority Household (PHH) category.

Eligibility:

Identified by the State Governments under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Benefits:

• 5 kg of food grains per person per month

• Subsidized prices:

  • ₹3 per kg for rice

  • ₹2 per kg for wheat

  • ₹1 per kg for coarse grains

PHH Inclusion Guidelines:

Households may be included in PHH if they meet any of the following:

• Transgender persons

• Persons with over 40% disability

• Members of primitive tribal groups

• Homeless households

• Households receiving widow pensions

• Destitute individuals relying on alms

PHH Exclusion Guidelines:

Households are excluded from PHH if they meet any of the following conditions:

• Own a pucca house with at least three rooms and concrete walls

• Pay income tax

• Have a member earning more than:

  • ₹10,000/month in rural areas

  • ₹15,000/month in urban areas

• Have a government employee (gazetted or non-gazetted)

• Use electricity connection with:

  • Load of 2 KW or more

  • Consumption of 300+ units/month

• Own motor vehicles like:

  • Four-wheelers, tractors, heavy-duty vehicles, or two+ motorboats

• Own mechanized farming equipment, such as tractors or harvesters

• Run registered enterprises in manufacturing or services sector

3. Non-Priority Household (NPHH) Ration Card

The NPHH ration card is given to households that do not meet the criteria for AAY or PHH.

Key Points:

• NPHH cardholders are not entitled to subsidized food grains

• These cards serve only as an identity proof for government records

• No monthly food grain allocation under PDS

Ration Cards Under TPDS

Before NFSA’s introduction, the state governments issued ration cards under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). After passing NFSA, states started issuing ration cards under it (which are mentioned above). The state governments which are yet to enforce the NFSA system, still follow the old ration cards issued by them under TPDS. They are:

Below Poverty Line (BPL)

• Families that have BPL cards are the ones who are living below the poverty line as specified by the state government.
• BPL families receive 10kg to 20kg of food grains per family per month at 50% of the economic cost.
• The subsidised end retail price for specified quantities of wheat, rice, sugar and other items varies from state to state. Each state government fixes different rates per quantity.

Above Poverty Line (APL)

• Families that have this card are the ones who are living above the poverty line as specified by the state government.
• APL families receive 10kg to 20kg of food grains per family per month at 100% of the economic cost.
• Each state government fixes a subsidised retail rate for rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene oil for a certain quantity.

Annapoorna Yojana (AY)

• AY ration cards are given to older people who are poor and above 65 years.
• Cardholders receive 10 kgs of foodgrains per month under this card.
• State governments issue these cards to the older people who come under this scheme as specified by them.

How to Renew a Ration Card?

You can renew the ration card by following the steps given below

1. Visit the nearest ration card Seva Kendras and complete the biometric process.
2. For adding you and your family members, you will need to provide an Aadhaar based biometric authentication at the stage of filing an application. For children aged less than 5 years, biometric authentication is not needed; however, the Aadhaar card is mandatory. This application will then be processed for renewal.
3. You will need to pay the service fee for renewal.

Colour Ration Card

The issuance of a colour ration card and its features vary from state to state. Colour ration cards were issued under the TPDS. The colours varied from state to state for BPL, APL and AY ration cards. Usually, three colour ration cards are issued, which are white, yellow (saffron) and green.

A few states which have adopted NFSA have discontinued issuing colour ration cards and issue cards according to NFSA, that is, AAY, PHH and NPHH cards.

Read also: Ration Card e-KYC: Status Check & Online Verification

Benefits and Uses of a Ration Card

Ration cards not only enable access to subsidised food grains but also offer multiple identity and documentation benefits across services. Here are some of the benefits of a ration card:

• Access to food grains at subsidised rates under NFSA or TPDS
• Proof of identity and address for PAN, passport, and voter ID applications
• Used in opening bank accounts and for financial transfers
• Required for LPG subsidy applications
• Serves as address proof for mobile SIM cards and insurance claims
• Helps access government welfare schemes for the economically weaker sections
• Acts as an official family record for documentation purposes

Understanding the types of ration card and associated ration card benefits helps you access government welfare effectively. Whether it’s for obtaining subsidised food under NFSA or using the card for official identity, each card type plays a crucial role in supporting eligible households. Make sure your ration card details are up to date to avail all benefits without interruption.

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