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Ration card apply online 2026: fees, documents and status by state

A family card issued by the state food department for buying subsidised or free foodgrains from fair price (ration) shops. It is also widely used as proof of address and family details.

The short answer

A family card issued by the state food department for buying subsidised or free foodgrains from fair price (ration) shops. It is also widely used as proof of address and family details.

Source: nfsa.gov.in. Not yet matched to an official page; confirm on the official portal before paying.

Ration card fees by state

This fee is set by each state, so it differs. Each row shows whether we matched it to the official government site.

StateFeeTimeWhere to apply
DelhiNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on edistrict.delhi.gov.in.edistrict.delhi.gov.inNew NFSA cards issued only when slots are free under the state quota; food dept site did not load
MaharashtraNo official fee publishedNot officially verified Source30 daysrcms.mahafood.gov.inYellow, Orange and White cards; 30 day limit notified on Aaple Sarkar (Demand for new ration card) and by the Controller of Rationing, Mumbai; fee not stated on either
West BengalFreeUnverified estimate Unofficial source30 daysfood.wb.gov.in30 day limit per Food and Supplies notification 2950-FS of 25.10.2013; fee not stated officially
Tamil Nadu₹60 at e-Sevai centreChecked on 28 Sep 2026 Source15 daystnpds.gov.inCan also apply on tnpds.gov.in; card types PHH, PHH-AAY, NPHH, NPHH-S
KarnatakaApplication ₹0. ₹20 service charge at Grama One, B1 or K1 centres (APL card online: no service charge)Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source7 dayssevasindhu.karnataka.gov.inSeva Sindhu service listing; Aadhaar of all members is mandatory
TelanganaNo official fee publishedUnverified estimate Unofficial sourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on telangana.gov.in.telangana.gov.inCalled a Food Security Card (FSC); apply through MeeSeva, centre charges may apply
GujaratAAY free, BPL ₹5, APL 1 ₹10, APL 2 ₹20Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source7 daysdigitalgujarat.gov.inFee and 7 day limit as listed by the Mehsana district office
Uttar PradeshNo official fee publishedUnverified estimate Unofficial sourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on fcs.up.gov.in.fcs.up.gov.inApply online or at CSC; secondary source quotes 30 days
BiharNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on rconline.bihar.gov.in.rconline.bihar.gov.inApply via RTPS portal or counter; fee not verified
RajasthanNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on food.rajasthan.gov.in.food.rajasthan.gov.inApply via e-Mitra or SSO; fee not verified
Madhya PradeshNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on rationmitra.nic.in.rationmitra.nic.inEligibility slip (patrata parchi) linked to Samagra ID; fee not verified
HaryanaNo official fee publishedNot officially verified Source15 days (new card on receipt of the D-I application form) Checked on 19 Oct 2026 Sourceharyanafood.gov.inCitizen services page of the Haryana Food and Supplies Department: 15 days for a new card on the D-I form, 7 days on a surrender certificate. No fee is listed there. Card tied to Family ID (PPP)
ChhattisgarhAPL (general) card ₹30 at a Sewa Setu centre or onlineChecked on 18 Oct 2026 Source30 dayssewasetu.cgstate.gov.inSewa Setu listing for the general (APL) ration card; BPL and AAY fees are not listed there
Uttarakhand₹5Checked on 18 Oct 2026 SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on rcmspds.uk.gov.in.rcmspds.uk.gov.inFee on the food department page; the card is valid for 5 years
Goa₹5 court fee stampChecked on 18 Oct 2026 Source3 to 7 daysga.smartpds.nic.inApplications only online on ga.smartpds.nic.in. The ₹5 stamp is from the 2021 citizen's charter, so confirm on the portal
ChandigarhNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on chdfood.gov.in.chdfood.gov.inPortal listed on the NFSA state page (nfsa.gov.in). No fee or time limit is listed there.
Himachal PradeshNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on epds.hp.gov.in.epds.hp.gov.inPortal listed on the NFSA state page (nfsa.gov.in). No fee or time limit is listed there.
Jammu and KashmirNo official fee publishedNot officially verified Source30 days, subject to the Government of India allocating food grains Checked on 19 Oct 2026 Sourcefcsca.jk.gov.inConsumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, J&K (Samba page): new card 30 days, surrender certificate or duplicate 7 days. No fee is listed there. Portal listed on the NFSA state page
KeralaNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on ecitizen.civilsupplieskerala.gov.in.ecitizen.civilsupplieskerala.gov.inPortal listed on the NFSA state page (nfsa.gov.in). No fee or time limit is listed there.
Andhra PradeshNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on apseva.ap.gov.in.apseva.ap.gov.inPortal listed on the NFSA state page (nfsa.gov.in). No fee or time limit is listed there.
PunjabNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on ercms.punjab.gov.in.ercms.punjab.gov.inPortal listed on the NFSA state page (nfsa.gov.in). No fee or time limit is listed there.
OdishaNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on pdsodisha.gov.in.pdsodisha.gov.inPortal listed on the NFSA state page (nfsa.gov.in). No fee or time limit is listed there.
AssamNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on fcsca.assam.gov.in.fcsca.assam.gov.inPortal listed on the NFSA state page (nfsa.gov.in). No fee or time limit is listed there.
JharkhandNo official fee publishedNot officially verified SourceNo time limit published by the state. Track your application status on jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in.jsfss.jharkhand.gov.inPortal listed on the NFSA state page (nfsa.gov.in). No fee or time limit is listed there.

Applying online is usually free. Service centres may charge a small service fee; ask before paying.

Ration card services

Click a state name above for its own guide. Other help:

Official fees

ServiceFee
NFSA card (PHH or AAY), most statesFree in most states; ₹60 at TN e-Sevai centres
Gujarat: AAY / BPL / APL 1 / APL 2Free / ₹5 / ₹10 / ₹20

Not officially verified Some figures are from secondary sources. Confirm on the official portal before paying.

Documents to keep ready

Tick what you already have. The shared list shows each one as ready or pending.

How to apply

  1. Open your state food department portal from the table above (or nfsa.gov.in, which links to every state)
  2. Register or log in with your mobile number, then choose New Ration Card
  3. Fill in the family details and pick the card type (AAY, PHH or state card)
  4. Upload Aadhaar of every member, address proof, income proof and a photo of the head of family
  5. Submit and note the application number to track the status
  6. Attend field verification by the inspector if called
  7. Download the e-ration card, or collect it from the fair price shop or food office once approved
Need it as a PDF? Follow the official download steps. Download e-ration card
Good to know
  • Under NFSA, AAY families get 35 kg grain a month and PHH members get 5 kg each, free of cost under PMGKAY
  • With One Nation One Ration Card you can draw ration at any fair price shop in India using Aadhaar biometrics
  • Keep e-KYC done for every member, or names may be removed
  • Use only the official state portal; agents who promise a BPL card for money are not authorised

After you apply

What to do once the form is submitted: where to track it, how long it takes, why it gets rejected and what the law says if you do not have it.

Track your application

Typical time

About 7 to 30 days after verification, depending on the state

Not officially verified

If you do not have it or miss the deadline

There is no fine or jail for not having a ration card. You only lose the subsidised foodgrains (5 kg per person per month for eligible households). The Act lets the State Food Commission fine a government official up to ₹5,000 if they ignore a grievance officer's order; this is a penalty on officials, not on citizens. We could not confirm from an official source the penalty for giving false details, but states can cancel cards got with wrong information.

Law: National Food Security Act 2013, sections 13 and 33

Checked on 5 Oct 2026 Source

Common reasons for rejection and how to fix them

ReasonHow to fix it
Your family income is above the limit or you are not in the state's eligible listCheck the eligibility rules on your state food department site and attach proof of income if asked.
Aadhaar or e-KYC details of family members do not matchUpdate Aadhaar or complete e-KYC at the ration shop or food office, then apply again.
Name is already on another ration cardAsk for deletion from the old card first, then apply for the new card.
Address proof or family photo is missing or unclearUpload a clear address proof and photo as listed by your state.

Not officially verified

Govt License is an independent guide. Fines and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Items marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.

Common questions

How much is the fee for a new ration card?
In most states a new NFSA ration card is free. Some states charge a small service fee: Tamil Nadu ₹60 at e-Sevai centres and Gujarat from free to ₹20 by card type. States we could not match to an official page are marked Not officially verified in the table.
Can I get ration in another state with my card?
Yes. Under One Nation One Ration Card, NFSA beneficiaries can take ration at any fair price shop in India after Aadhaar authentication. The Mera Ration app shows nearby shops.
What is the difference between PHH and AAY?
AAY (Antyodaya) is for the poorest households and gives 35 kg per family per month. PHH (Priority Household) gives 5 kg per person per month. States decide who qualifies.
Can I have ration cards in two places?
No. A family can hold only one ration card. Surrender the old card before applying in a new place.
How do I check my name in the ration card list?
Open your state's ration card list or card search page, linked from the NFSA portal, choose your area or enter your ration card number. See the Name in ration card list page for every state.
How do I do e-KYC for my ration card?
Go to your Fair Price Shop with the Aadhaar of every member and authenticate with biometrics, or use the Mera eKYC app where face authentication is allowed.
How do I add a name to my ration card?
Use the member addition service on your state portal with the member's proof and Aadhaar. See the Add or remove a family member page for state routes.
Is the ration card fee the same in every state?
No. Each state sets its own fee. In Tamil Nadu the guide shows ₹60 at an e-Sevai centre (checked on 28 Sep 2026). In Karnataka the application is ₹0 with a ₹20 service charge at Grama One, B1 or K1 centres (checked on 18 Oct 2026).
Can I apply for a ration card online?
In many states, yes. The state table on this page names each portal, for example tnpds.gov.in in Tamil Nadu, sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in in Karnataka and edistrict.delhi.gov.in in Delhi.
How long does a new ration card take?
It depends on the state. The table shows 15 days in Tamil Nadu, 7 days in Karnataka and 30 days in Maharashtra and West Bengal. Delhi publishes no time limit.

Aksar pooche jaane wale sawaal

Yahi jaankari, Hinglish mein.

Ration card kaise banaye?
Apne state ke food department ke portal se online apply karein. Upar table mein har state ka link hai. Family details bharein, Aadhaar aur address proof upload karein, application number sambhal kar rakhein aur verification ke baad e-ration card download karein. Offline ke liye apne food office jayein.
Ration card me naam kaise jode?
Apne state portal par member addition service chunein, ration card number se login karein, naye member ka proof (newborn ke liye birth certificate) aur Aadhaar upload karein. Kai states ke steps 'Add or remove a family member' page par hain.
Ration card list me naam kaise dekhe?
NFSA portal se apne state ki ration card list ka link kholein, jila ya block chunein ya ration card number daalein. Har state ka list link 'Name in ration card list' page par hai.
Ration card e-KYC kaise kare?
Apne Fair Price Shop par saare members ke Aadhaar ke saath jaayein aur ePoS machine par biometric se e-KYC karein, ya jahan allowed ho wahan Mera eKYC app se face authentication karein.
Ration card ki fees kitni hai?
Zyada tar states mein naya NFSA ration card free hai. Kuch states mein chhoti fees lagti hai: Tamil Nadu mein e-Sevai centre par ₹60, Uttarakhand mein ₹5, Chhattisgarh mein APL card ₹30. Baaki states ki fees official page par nahi mili (table mein 'Not officially verified' likha hai), apne state portal par check karein.
Ration card kitne din mein milta hai?
Aam taur par: About 7 to 30 days after verification, depending on the state.
Ration card ka application status kaise check karein?
Official link par application ya reference number daalkar status dekhein. Link upar 'After you apply' mein diye hain: Track your ration card application on your state food portal. The state portal is listed in the state table on this page; nfsa.gov.in links to every state. Apply karne ke baad kam se kam utna time rukein: About 7 to 30 days after verification, depending on the state.
Ration card ka application reject ho jaye to kya karein?
Portal par likhi wajah padhein, galat ya dhundhle document badalkar dobara apply karein. Sabse aam wajah aur unka solution upar 'After you apply' mein diye gaye hain. Jahan 'Not officially verified' likha hai wahan official site se pakka kar lein.
Bina Ration card ke pakde gaye to kya hoga?
Aam taur par nahi, Ration card na hone par seedha koi jurmana nahi hai (National Food Security Act 2013, sections 13 and 33). Lekin kai sarkari kaam ya faayde ke liye yeh zaroori ho sakta hai.