Need a copy of your ration card, or want to check whether your name is still on it? This guide on ration card download and name check is for every family that gets grain under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) or a state scheme. It covers every state, the Mera Ration app and DigiLocker.
Quick answer: To download your ration card, open your state food department portal (for example fcs.up.gov.in in Uttar Pradesh or epds.bihar.gov.in in Bihar), choose the ration card details or e-ration card option, and enter your ration card number or Aadhaar number. You can also view your card in the free Mera Ration 2.0 app or in DigiLocker where your state supports it.
What Is an e-Ration Card and Is It Valid?
An e-ration card is the digital copy of the ration card your state food and civil supplies department has issued. It shows the card number, card type (such as AAY or Priority Household), the head of the family, all family members, and the fair price shop (FPS) linked to the card.
The download from an official state portal or DigiLocker is a valid copy of your existing card. It is not a new card. If your name is not on the card, downloading it will not add you; for that you must apply to add a member (explained below).
Ration cards are issued and managed by state governments, not by the Centre. That is why the website, the menu names and the fields you need to fill differ from state to state. The central NFSA portal mainly links you to these state portals.
What You Need Before You Start
- Ration card number (printed on your old card or on the FPS receipt), or
- Aadhaar number of any member listed on the card (many portals and the Mera Ration app accept this)
- The mobile number registered with the ration card or Aadhaar, to receive the OTP
- Your district, block/town and village/ward name, if you want to search by area list
If you have lost your Aadhaar too, first get a fresh copy using our guide on how to download Aadhaar card with mobile number. Most ration services now run on Aadhaar authentication.
Ration Card Download: Step-by-Step (Any State Portal)
The exact wording changes by state, but the flow is nearly the same everywhere. Follow these steps on your phone or computer.
- Open the official food department website of your state (see the table below), or go to nfsa.gov.in and use the menu option for ration card details on state portals.
- Look for a link named “Ration Card Details”, “e-Ration Card”, “Know Your Ration Card” or “Ration Card Search”.
- Enter your ration card number (or Aadhaar number, if the portal allows it) and the captcha.
- Verify with the OTP sent to the registered mobile number, if asked.
- Check the details shown: card type, members, FPS dealer name.
- Tap Download / Print and save the PDF. On a phone, use the browser’s “Print” then “Save as PDF” option if there is no direct download button.
Downloading from an official portal is free. Do not pay any website or agent that offers a “ration card PDF” for a fee.
Search by Area (When You Don’t Know the Card Number)
Most state portals also publish a ration card list by district, block, village or FPS. Select your district, then your town or block, then your village or shop. The list shows card numbers with the head of family’s name. Find your family, note the card number, and then use it in the download steps above.
State-Wise Ration Card Portals
Here are the official food department websites for the larger states. Portal addresses can change, so if one does not open, search your state name with “food and civil supplies department” and check that the address ends in .gov.in or .nic.in.
| State | Official portal | Usual option to click |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | fcs.up.gov.in | Ration card eligibility list / card details |
| Bihar | epds.bihar.gov.in | RCMS report / ration card details |
| Rajasthan | food.rajasthan.gov.in | Ration card details / NFSA list |
| Madhya Pradesh | rationmitra.nic.in | Ration card / eligibility slip |
| Maharashtra | mahafood.gov.in | Online RCMS / know your ration card |
| Delhi | nfs.delhigovt.nic.in | Citizen’s corner / e-ration card |
| Haryana | haryanafood.gov.in | Linked with Family ID (PPP) |
| Gujarat | dcs-dof.gujarat.gov.in | Ration card details |
| West Bengal | food.wb.gov.in | Know your ration card / e-ration card |
| Tamil Nadu | tnpds.gov.in | Smart card status / details |
| Karnataka | ahara.karnataka.gov.in | e-Services / ration card status |
| Telangana | epds.telangana.gov.in | FSC search |
| Andhra Pradesh | epds2.ap.gov.in | Ration card search |
| Odisha | pdsodisha.gov.in | Ration card search |
| Jharkhand | aahar.jharkhand.gov.in | Ration card search |
| Uttarakhand | fcs.uk.gov.in | Ration card details |
For states and union territories not in this table, use the state portal links on the NFSA website. Every state and UT is covered by NFSA and One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC).
How to Check Your Name in the Ration Card List
Many families find a member’s name missing after a correction, a marriage, or an e-KYC drive. Checking takes two minutes.
Method 1: Using the Ration Card Number
- Open your state portal and choose ration card details.
- Enter the card number.
- The page shows every member with name, age/relationship and often Aadhaar seeding status. Confirm each name is there and spelled right.
Method 2: Using the Village or Ward List
- Open the ration card list or eligibility list section.
- Select district, then rural/urban, then block or town, then gram panchayat or ward, and finally the FPS.
- Search the list for the head of family’s name, then open the card to see all members.
Method 3: Using the Mera Ration 2.0 App
Log in to the app with an Aadhaar number linked to the card. The member list appears on the home screen, so you can see at a glance who is included.
How to Use the Mera Ration 2.0 App
Mera Ration 2.0 is the official app of the Department of Food and Public Distribution, built by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). It is free on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Install only the app published by NIC / the government; avoid look-alike apps.
- Install Mera Ration 2.0 and open it.
- Log in with the Aadhaar number of any member on the ration card and verify the OTP sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile.
- Your ration card details, family members and monthly entitlement appear on screen.
- Use the menu to check recent transactions, find the nearest fair price shop, or update details where your state allows it.
The app is especially useful for migrant workers. Under ONORC, you can take your NFSA grain from any fair price shop in India using Aadhaar biometric authentication, and the app shows nearby shops in the new city.
Download Ration Card from DigiLocker
Several states have linked their ration card database with DigiLocker. Where it is available, this is the easiest way to keep a permanent digital copy.
- Open the DigiLocker app or digilocker.gov.in and sign in with your mobile number or Aadhaar.
- Go to the search or “Issued documents” section and type “ration card”.
- Choose your state’s food department from the results.
- Enter the ration card number and fetch the document. It is saved in your issued documents.
If your state does not appear in the list, it has not joined DigiLocker for ration cards yet. Use the state portal or the Mera Ration app instead.
Comparison: Which Method Should You Use?
| Method | What you need | Gives a PDF? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| State food portal | Ration card number (sometimes Aadhaar) | Yes, in most states | Printed copy, name check, area list |
| Mera Ration 2.0 app | Aadhaar + linked mobile | Shows details on screen | Quick check, entitlement, nearby FPS, migrants |
| DigiLocker | DigiLocker account + card number | Yes (where state is linked) | Permanent digital copy |
| Fair price shop / CSC | Card number or Aadhaar | Printout (CSC may charge a service fee) | People without a smartphone |
Name Missing? How to Add or Correct a Member
If a family member is missing, or a name was removed during verification, you need to apply to the food department. The process differs by state, but these are the common routes:
- Online: Many state portals have an “add member” or “modification” form. You will usually need the member’s Aadhaar, and a birth certificate for a child or a marriage certificate for a newly married woman.
- Through the app: Some states let you request member changes inside Mera Ration 2.0.
- Offline: Submit the form at the block supply office, the district supply officer (DSO) office or a Common Service Centre (CSC).
Also make sure every member has completed Aadhaar e-KYC for the ration card. States have been running e-KYC drives, and members who skip it can face suspension of their entitlement. You can usually do e-KYC on the e-PoS machine at your fair price shop; some states also allow face-authentication e-KYC through an app.
Ration Card Types You May See
- AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana): For the poorest households. Entitled to 35 kg of grain per family per month under NFSA.
- PHH (Priority Household): Entitled to 5 kg of grain per person per month under NFSA.
- State cards (APL / non-priority and others): Issued under state schemes; benefits depend on the state.
NFSA grain for AAY and PHH families is free under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). A ration card is also used as proof for many other benefits, including state health schemes such as Rajasthan’s Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana. See our full list of government schemes in India to find what else your family may be eligible for.
Common Problems and Fixes
OTP Not Coming
The OTP goes to the mobile number registered with the ration card or with Aadhaar. If that number is old, update it through your state portal’s mobile update option, the Mera Ration app, or the supply office.
“Record Not Found”
Re-check the card number (some states use 10–12 digit numbers with a district prefix). If the card was cancelled or is still under verification, the portal will not show it. Contact your fair price shop dealer or the supply office.
Portal Not Opening
State portals are often slow in the first days of the month when distribution starts. Try early morning or late night, or use the Mera Ration app.
Where to Complain
For ONORC and portability issues, call the national helpline 14445, allotted to the Department of Food and Public Distribution. Every state also has its own toll-free food helpline, listed on its food department website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I download my ration card with my Aadhaar number?
Log in to the Mera Ration 2.0 app with the Aadhaar of any member to view the card. Several state portals also let you search by Aadhaar. If your state’s portal asks only for the card number, find it first through the Mera Ration app or the village-wise list.
Is a downloaded e-ration card valid?
Yes, a copy downloaded from an official state portal or DigiLocker is a valid copy of your card. At the fair price shop, your identity is checked by Aadhaar biometrics anyway, so you do not strictly need to carry the paper card.
Is there any fee for ration card download?
No. Downloading from the state portal, Mera Ration app or DigiLocker is free. A CSC may charge a small service fee for printing, but no official site charges for the PDF.
How do I check if my name is in the new ration card list?
Open the eligibility or ration card list section of your state portal and select your district, block or town, and village or ward. Look for the head of family’s name and open the card to see every member.
Can I take ration in another state with my card?
Yes, if you hold an NFSA card (AAY or PHH). Under One Nation One Ration Card, you can collect your NFSA grain at any fair price shop in India with Aadhaar authentication. State-scheme benefits usually stay within your home state.
Which helpline number is for ration card complaints?
The national ONORC helpline is 14445. For local issues such as a dealer refusing grain or a wrong deletion, call your state food department’s toll-free number, given on its official website.
Final Thoughts
Ration card download is free and quick once you know your state portal and card number. Use the state website for a printable PDF, Mera Ration 2.0 for a fast check on your phone, and DigiLocker for a permanent copy. Check your family’s names now and then, finish e-KYC for every member, and correct any mistakes through the official channels before they cost you your monthly grain.
