Ration Card Download: Download New and Old Ration Card and Check Ration History
Super Admin··7 min read
Ration Card Download: Download New and Old Ration Card and Know Your Complete Ration History
Under the Public Distribution System (PDS) run by the Government of India, a ration card is an extremely important document. It not only helps poor and middle-class families get food grains (such as wheat, rice, sugar) at highly subsidized rates or for free, but it also serves as a strong identity proof and address proof (Address Proof). Under the Digital India initiative, you no longer need to visit ration shops or government offices. You can download your new and old ration card right from the comfort of your home. Along with this, you can also easily check when and how much free ration you have received.
In this article, we will explain in detail all the easy methods to download a ration card (NFSA portal, DigiLocker, and Mera Ration 2.0 app) and share the complete process to view your transaction history (Ration Transaction History).
1. How to Download New and Old Ration Card from the NFSA Portal?
The official portal of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) allows ration cardholders from all states across the country to view and download their card details from a single platform. You can download your ration card by following the steps given below:
- Visit the official website: First of all, open the official website of NFSA (nfsa.gov.in) in your mobile or computer browser.
- Select the Ration Card option: Go to the 'Ration Cards' tab visible in the main menu of the homepage and click on the 'Ration Card Details on State Portals' option.
- Select your state: A list of all states and union territories of India will open before you. Click on the name of your respective state (such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, etc.).
- Redirect to the state's PDS portal: Upon clicking the state's name, you will be redirected to the official website of the Food and Civil Supplies Department (PDS) of that state.
- Enter the required details: Now select your District, Block, Gram Panchayat or town, and Fair Price Shop (FPS).
- Search for the ration card number: A complete list of ration cardholders will appear before you. You can search for your new or old ration card using your ration card number or the name of the head of the family.
- Download: As soon as you click on your ration card number, your digital ration card will appear on the screen. Download it in PDF format and keep it safe.
2. Easy Method to Download Digital Ration Card from DigiLocker App
If the state government portal is not working due to some technical glitch, DigiLocker is the safest and best alternative for you. The digital ration card available on DigiLocker is legally valid across India.
- Open the DigiLocker app or website: Download the DigiLocker app on your phone or visit digilocker.gov.in.
- Login or Sign up: Log in using your Aadhaar number and mobile OTP. If you do not have an account, enter your name, date of birth, and mobile number to create a new account.
- Search Document: After logging in, go to the 'Search Document' or 'Issued Documents' section.
- Search for Ration Card: Type 'Ration Card' in the search bar and select the Food & Civil Supplies Department of your state.
- Enter ration card number: Enter your ration card number, district, and other details as required.
- Get Document: Click on the 'Get Document' button. Your ration card will be saved in the 'Issued Documents' section of DigiLocker, from where you can download it as a PDF anytime.
3. Mera Ration 2.0 App: All-in-One Way to Check Ration Card and Transaction History
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, has launched the Mera Ration 2.0 app. This app is highly useful, especially for migrant laborers and beneficiaries of the 'One Nation One Ration Card' (ONORC) scheme. With the help of this app, you can not only download your ration card but also view the complete details of your ration transactions for the last 6 months.
How to Use the Mera Ration 2.0 App?
- Download the app: Install the 'Mera Ration 2.0' or 'Mera Ration' app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Register: Log in to the app using your Aadhaar number or ration card number and enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Select My Transactions / Sale Receipt option: On the homepage of the app, you will find the option of 'My Transactions' or 'Sale Receipt'.
- View transaction history: Upon clicking this option, you will get complete details of the quantity of ration (wheat, rice, sugar, etc.) received, the date, and the Fair Price Shop (FPS) details for the last 6 months.
- Check eligibility (Ration Entitlements): You can also go to the 'Ration Entitlements' option to check how much food grain you are entitled to receive every month.
4. How to Get Free Ration Details from State-wise AePDS and Annavitran Portals?
If you want to know when you received free ration in the last few months or years, the state governments' AePDS (Aadhaar enabled Public Distribution System) and Annavitran portals are the best mediums for this.
Steps to Check Transactions on Annavitran and AePDS Portals:
- Go to the state's AePDS portal: For example, if you are from Bihar, go to 'AePDS Bihar', and if you are from Uttar Pradesh, go to the 'AePDS UP' or 'Annavitran' portal.
- Click on RC Details / RC Drawl Status: Find the 'RC Details' (Ration Card Details) or 'RC Drawl Status' link on the homepage and click on it.
- Select month and year: Select the month or year for which you want to view the transaction history.
- Enter ration card number: Enter your 12-digit ration card number and click the 'Submit' button.
- View complete details of free ration: A detailed table will appear on your screen containing the following information:
- Name of the member who received the ration and their biometric authentication status.
- Exact date and time of receiving the ration.
- Type of allocated food grain (rice, wheat, millet, etc.) and its quantity.
- Whether the ration was completely free (Free PM-GKAY) or if any fee was paid for it.
5. Comparison of Different Mediums: Ration Card Download and Tracking
From the table below, you can understand which method is most suitable for downloading a ration card and viewing transaction history:
| Platform | Ration Card Download (PDF) | Transaction History (Ration History) | Required Details | Usability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFSA Portal / State PDS | Yes | Partial (State-wise) | Ration card number or name | Best for detailed information |
| DigiLocker App | Yes (Digitally Signed) | No | Aadhaar number and OTP | For emergency download and as identity proof |
| Mera Ration 2.0 App | Yes | Yes (Last 6 months) | Aadhaar number and OTP | Easy for mobile users and migrants |
| AePDS / Annavitran | No | Yes (Detailed history) | Ration card number | For precise verification of free ration distribution |
6. Important Points to Keep in Mind While Downloading Ration Card and Checking Transactions
It is essential to keep some basic points in mind to avail of online services:
Key Point: It is mandatory for your mobile number to be linked with your Aadhaar card and ration card, as a One-Time Password (OTP) is required to log in to most government portals and apps.
- Aadhaar Seeding: Ensure that the Aadhaar cards of all your family members are linked (seeded) with your ration card. Without this, you may be unable to view online details or avail of the benefits of the One Nation One Ration Card scheme.
- Safe Download: Always download apps only from official government websites (.gov.in) or official app stores. Do not share your personal information on any unauthorized third-party websites.
- Grievance Redressal: If you notice any discrepancy in your transaction history (such as showing 'distributed' when you have not received the ration), you can immediately register a complaint on the national helpline number 1967 or the state-specific toll-free number.
Conclusion
In today's digital era, all services related to ration cards have become extremely easy and transparent. Whether you need to download your new or old ration card, or view the complete history of receiving free ration (Free Ration), you can do it in a matter of minutes from the comfort of your home. Regularly checking your ration transaction history maintains transparency in the public distribution system and helps avoid any kind of fraud.
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