Ration cards and Aadhaar cards are two important documents in India. Eligible individuals can get food at a subsidised rate only when they have a ration card. However, in certain cases, an individual obtains more than one ration card due to which others will not be able to get the benefit. To overcome such cases, the government has decided to link ration cards with an individual’s Aadhaar card. 

Aadhaar cards are issued to all Indian residents. A unique Aadhaar identification number is issued to the residents. Even though linking the Aadhaar cards to the ration cards is not mandatory, it ensures that nobody misuses the ration card benefits and all eligible persons get food at subsidised rates.

Prerequisites For Ration Card Aadhaar Card Link

Individuals must ensure they have the following before applying for linking Aadhaar and ration cards:

• Ration card number
• Aadhaar card number
• Aadhaar card linked mobile number

How To Link Ration Card With Aadhaar Online?

Many states allow you to link your ration card with your Aadhaar card. The step-by-step process to link your Aadhaar card with ration card is as follows:

Step 1: Visit your state’s Public Distribution System (PDS) portal.
Step 2: Click on ‘Link Aadhaar with Ration Card’.
Step 3: Enter your ration card number.
Step 4: Enter your Aadhaar card number.
Step 5: Enter your registered mobile number.
Step 6: Upload the required documents and click the ‘Continue’ or ‘Submit’ button.
Step 7: A OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.
Step 8: Enter the OTP and submit your request to link Aadhaar to your ration card.

You will receive an SMS when the process is completed.

How To Link Aadhaar To Ration Card Offline?

Step 1: Visit the local ration or PDS shop.
Step 2: Carry the photocopies of Aadhaar cards of all family members and a photocopy of your ration card.
Step 3: Carry the photocopy of the bank passbook if you have not linked your Aadhaar card to your bank account.
Step 4: Also carry a passport sized photograph of the head of the family and all required documents need to be submitted at the ration or PSD shop.
Step 5: You will get a notification via SMS or email once all the documents have reached the relevant department.

The authorities will process the documents and you will get a notification once your ration card is successfully linked to the Aadhaar card.

Link Aadhaar To Ration Card via SMS

Step 1: You need to write:

UID SEED <State Short Code> <Scheme/Program Short Code> <Scheme/Program ID> <Aadhaar Number>

and send an SMS to ‘51969’. For example: UID SEED KA POSC 9778342 114476709021.
Step 2: You will receive alerts regarding receipt of the information, successful verification and linkage of the Aadhaar card to the Ration card.

Documents Required To Link Aadhaar To Ration Card

• Photocopy of ration card with an original card for on-site verification
• Copies of Aadhaar cards of all family members
• Photocopy of Aadhaar cards of the head of the family
• Passport size photograph of the head of the family
• Copy of bank passbook if the bank account is not linked with Aadhaar

How To Check Ration Card Link With Aadhaar Card?

Below are the steps to check if your ration card is linked to Aadhaar card:

Step 1: Install the ‘Mera Ration’ app from the Google Play Store.
Step 2: Open the ‘Mera Ration’ app and click on the ‘Aadhaar Seeding’ option from the menu.
Step 3: Select the ‘Ration Card’ option.
Step 4: Type your ration card number and click ‘Submit’. 

It will display the ration card Aadhaar link status.

Benefits Of Linking Aadhaar To Ration Card

• It will reduce fake ration cardholders who are enjoying subsidies meant for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
• When the Aadhaar is linked with a ration card, families will not be able to get more than one ration card based on fake details.
• Fraudulent activities will be prevented after Aadhaar is linked with ration cards.
• The biometric enabled distribution system will help PDS shops identify the genuine beneficiaries and streamline the benefits.
• Leakages and diversion of PDS ration can be controlled.
• Aadhaar creates an audit trail in the PDS, thus eliminating and identifying corrupt middlemen and creating an efficient framework.
• Aadhaar will serve as the KYC for the needy to get ration under the PDS system.
• Aadhaar-ration card link will help to eliminate duplicate ration cards. 

Importance of Ration Card Aadhaar Linking

The government has made it mandatory to link Aadhaar with your ration card to receive the benefits provided under the ration card. Linking Aadhaar with ration cards helps authorities regulate ineligible people whose income exceeds the prescribed limit from getting the ration at a subsidised rate and prevents people from having multiple ration cards. It also strengthens the ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme, where one beneficiary of a ration card can avail of the subsidies from the PDS of other states. 

You can link Aadhaar to your ration card by following a few simple steps. You can do it online by visiting your state’s PDS portal or offline by visiting the PDS or ration shop. Linking your Aadhaar with your ration card is mandatory to get the ration at a subsidised rate every month. It also helps the government to achieve an efficient and transparent PDS in India. 

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