How to Link Aadhaar with Ration Card

State governments in India issue ration cards that authorizes every household that is entitled to buying subsidized food grain from the PDS System (Public Distribution System) under the National Food Security Act. It also serves as a common way of identification for several Indians.

Linking of Aadhaar with a ration card also enables you to avail subsidized LPG that the government offers. Since ration cards have been one of the oldest proof of residence in the country, it is important to link them with Aadhaar so that the benefits received by the holder can be streamlined and the cases of fraud can be prevented.

How to Link Aadhaar Card with Ration Card Online?

Many states provide an option to link Aadhaar Card with ration card online and the steps are as follows:

Step 1: Visit the official website of your state’s PDS portal

Step 2: Enter your Ration Card number

Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar number

Step 4: Enter your registered mobile number

Step 5: Click on continue/submit button to proceed further

Step 6: An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number

Step 7: Enter the OTP received to submit your request for ration card Aadhaar link

Note: As of now, there is no official centralised portal for ration card Aadhaar link due to which every state has its own portal for ration card.

How to Link an Aadhaar Card with Ration Card Offline?

Your ration card can be linked with Aadhaar by visiting the nearest PDS shop or ration shop. Ration card Aadhaar link will help you in various ways such as ration card search with Aadhaar card will be easier, you will be able to check ration card status with Aadhaar card number, etc.

Follow the steps given below to link Aadhaar and Ration Card offline –

Step 1: Visit the nearest PDS centre or ration Shop/local ration office

Step 2: Carry photocopies of your ration card along with the copies of Aadhaar card of all your family members. Also, carry a passport size photograph of the head of the family.

Step 3: In case your bank account is not linked with Aadhaar, you should also submit a copy of your bank passbook

Step 4: Submit all these documents at the PDS shop along with a copy of your Aadhaar

Step 5: The representative available at the Ration shop might ask you for fingerprint authentication for first-time Aadhaar authentication.

Once the documents are submitted, an SMS notification will be sent to your registered mobile number. You will receive another SMS notification when the two documents are successfully linked.

Note: The last date to link Aadhaar and ration card was 30th September 2024.

About Ration Card

• Ration Card is an important official document that entitles its user to avail food grains and fuel offered by the government at subsidized rate.
• The card was launched about five decades ago and it has still not lost its prominence in India.
• Apart from offering necessary food grains at lower rates, it allows the poor to have a proof of identity in the country and establish a connection to the government database.
• There are three types of ration card- Antyodaya, BPL (Below Poverty Line) and APL (Above Poverty Line). Eligibility depends on the economic status of the family.

Documents Required for Linking Aadhaar Card with Ration Card

Given below is the list of documents needed for ration card Aadhaar link:

• Photocopy of your Ration Card along with an original card for on-site verification
• Copies of Aadhaar of all family members
• Photocopy of Aadhaar of the head of the family
• Passport-sized photograph of the head of the family
• Copy of bank passbook in the case bank account is not linked with Aadhaar

Benefits of Linking Aadhaar Card with Ration Card

Following are the benefits of ration card Aadhar link:

• It will reduce the number of fake ration cardholders who are enjoying subsidies which are otherwise meant for the below poverty line (BPL) families
• Once Aadhaar is linked with a ration card, families will not be able to possess more than one ration card on the basis of fake details
• Fraudulent activities can be prevented after Aadhaar is linked with a ration card
• The biometric-enabled distribution system would help PDS shops identify the genuine beneficiaries and streamline the benefits accordingly
• Diversion and leakage of PDS ration can also be controlled
• Aadhaar creates an audit trail in the Public Distribution System, thus identifying and eliminating corrupt middlemen and adding efficiency in the framework

Why is it Important to Link Aadhaar with Ration Card?

• The Aadhaar-Ration card linking has been made mandatory by the government to prevent users from having multiple ration cards.
• Moreover, it will also help authorities regulate ineligible people whose income exceeds the permissible limit from availing ration at subsidised rates. Therefore, it is mandatory to link your Aadhaar with your ration card to avail the benefits under the Antodaya Anna Yojana scheme and the Priority Household Scheme

How to Check Aadhaar-Ration Card Linking Status?

Here is a step-by-step guide to check your Aadhaar and ration card linking status:

Step 1: Visit the My Ration Card Details page on the National Food Security Portal

Step 2: Enter your ration card number and the captcha code that you see on your screen

Step 3: Click on “Get RC Details” to know your Aadhaar and ration card linking status.

FAQs on Aadhar Ration Card Link

Q. How do I know if my Aadhar card is linked to ration card?

Ans. You can check your Aadhaar-ration card linking status either online via the National Food Security Portal or offline by visiting the nearest PDS shop.

Q. How can I check my Aadhaar card linked with a ration card offline?

Ans. To check if your Aadhaar Card is linked with a ration card offline, you need to submit a copy of your Aadhaar Card along with the photocopy of your Ration Card to the nearest PDS Shop. Your fingerprint might be matched to authenticate and verify your identity with Aadhaar Card.

Q. Is it mandatory to link Aadhar to ration card? What happens if you do not link your Aadhaar card to your Ration card?

Ans.  No, it is not mandatory to link Aadhaar with ration card as of now. According to government rules, you must link ration card with Aadhar card to avail government benefits.

Q. How can I link my bank account with a ration card?

Ans. You have to visit the nearest bank branch to link your bank account with a ration card.

Q. How can I download my ration card with an Aadhaar card?

Ans. As of now, there’s no such procedure to download your ration card with an Aadhaar Card.

Q. What if my mobile number is not linked to my Aadhaar card?

Ans. If your mobile number is not registered with UIDAI, you will not be able to avail any online services related to Aadhaar.

Q.  Can I link ration card with Aadhaar through App?

Ans. At present, there is no provision to link ration card with Aadhaar through app.

Q. What are the charges for linking Aadhar to ration card?

Ans. You are not required to pay any charges/fees to link your Aadhaar with ration card.

Q. What is ration card Aadhar link portal?

Ans.The official website of your state’s PDS portal is the ration card Aadhaar linking portal.

Q. Can I link the Aadhaar of my family members’ with the ration card?

Ans. Yes, you can link the Aadhaar of all family members with the ration card. The linking process enables you to provide the Aadhaar details of multiple family members.

Q. What if there is a mismatch between my Aadhaar card and ration card details?

Ans. In case there is a mismatch between your Aadhaar card and ration card details, you need to get your Aadhaar or ration card corrected/updated before you actually link the two documents.

Q. Will I receive the confirmation after linking my Aadhaar card with my ration card?

Ans. Yes, once you successfully complete the linking process, you should receive an acknowledgement or reference number. You are advised to keep this number for future reference and correspondence related to your Aadhaar-ration card linkage.

Also Read About other Aadhaar Linking