Different Types Of Ration Cards - Ration Card Status and Benefits

The types of ration card issued in India determine a household's eligibility for food security benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. Understanding the different ration card types and ration card benefits helps eligible families access free food grains, government welfare schemes, and various identity and address proof services.

Key Highlights

• There are five major types of ration cards in India—AAY, PHH, NPHH, BPL, and APL.
• AAY and PHH are the primary ration card categories issued under the NFSA.
• Eligible NFSA beneficiaries currently receive their entitled food grains free of cost under the government's food security programme.
• Several states continue using colour-based ration cards alongside NFSA classifications.

What is a Ration Card?

A ration card is an official document that is issued by the respective state governments. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, eligible households receive their monthly entitlement of food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS). 

At present, these food grains are provided free of cost to eligible beneficiaries under the Government's food security programme.

• Previously, based on the state governments’ identification, qualifying households could buy food grains at subsidised rates via the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). 
• In 2013, the National Food and Security Act (NFSA) was passed to provide a certain quantity and quality of food to people at affordable prices. 
• Currently, the state governments that have implemented the NFSA issue two types of ration cards to the qualifying families in their respective states, i.e. Priority Household (PHH) ration card and Non-priority Household (NPHH) ration card. 

5 Different Types of Ration Cards in India

There are 5 different types of ration cards in India provided under the NFSA and TPDS, which are as follows:

• Priority Household (PHH) ration card - Eligible beneficiaries receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month free of cost under the current NFSA food distribution framework.
• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card - Eligible households receive 35 kg of food grains per family per month free of cost under the current NFSA food distribution framework.
• APL (Above Poverty Line) ration card - This card was issued to households living above the poverty line.
• BPL (Below Poverty Line) ration card - This card was issued to households living below the poverty line.
• AY (Annapurna Yojna) ration card - This card was given to older people who are poor and above 65 years.

Currently, most states issue three primary types of ration cards under the NFSA—Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Priority Household (PHH), and Non-Priority Household (NPHH). The older TPDS categories such as APL, BPL, and Annapoorna Yojana (AY) are largely legacy classifications and are gradually being phased out or integrated into the NFSA framework.

Ration Cards Under NFSA, 2013

NFSA provides ration cards which are issued by the respective state governments. The distribution of food in fair price shops is according to the quantity and quality mentioned in the NFSA. The different types of ration cards under NFSA are:

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

• This type of ration card is given to poor families who do not have a stable income identified by the respective state governments.
• Persons who do not have stable income, such as rickshaw pullers, daily labourers, coolies, etc., are issued this card.
• Unemployed people, women and old aged people are also issued with this card.
• These cardholders are eligible to receive 35kg of food grains per month per family. 
• They are eligible to receive wheat of 15kg and rice of 20kg per family per month.
• They currently receive 35 kg of food grains per family per month free of cost under the Government's food security programme.

Priority Household (PHH)

• Families which are not covered under AAY fall under PHH.
• The state governments identify priority household families under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) according to their exclusive and inclusive guidelines.
• PHH cardholders receive 5kg of food grains per person per month.
• Eligible beneficiaries currently receive 5 kg of food grains per person per month free of cost under the Government's food security programme.

Inclusion Guidelines

• A transgender person.
• A person with more than 40% disability.
• All households which belong to primitive tribal groups.
• Households with no shelter.
• Households with a widow pension holder.
• Households comprising destitute who are living on alms.

Exclusion Guidelines

• Any household that has a pucca roof with a minimum of three rooms with pucca walls.
• Households paying income tax.
• Households comprising pensioners or a member who earns more than Rs.10,000 on a monthly basis in a rural area and Rs.15,000 in an urban area.
• Households with a regular employee – gazetted or non-gazetted of State Government, Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Government aided local and autonomous bodies.
• Households with a domestic electric connection with a load of 2 KW or more; consumes about 300 units of energy (KWH) on a monthly basis.
• Households that have enterprises registered with the government for services and manufacturing.
• Any household that has a motorized vehicle, a four-wheeler, a heavy vehicle, a trawler, two or more motorboats.
• Households with mechanised agricultural equipment such as tractors, and harvesters.

Non-Priority Household (NPHH) 

NPHH ration card is given to households who do not meet the PHH eligibility criteria set by the government. Thus, they are not entitled to any food grains. This card only acts as an identity proof.

Ration Cards Under TPDS

Before NFSA’s introduction, the state governments issued ration cards under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). After passing NFSA, states started issuing ration cards under it (which are mentioned above). The state governments which are yet to enforce the NFSA system, still follow the old ration cards issued by them under TPDS. 

Below Poverty Line (BPL)

• Families that have BPL cards are the ones who are living below the poverty line as specified by the state government.
• BPL families receive 10kg to 20kg of food grains per family per month at 50% of the economic cost.
• The subsidised end retail price for specified quantities of wheat, rice, sugar and other items varies from state to state. Each state government fixes different rates per quantity.

Above Poverty Line (APL)

• Families that have this card are the ones who are living above the poverty line as specified by the state government.
• APL families receive 10kg to 20kg of food grains per family per month at 100% of the economic cost.
• Each state government fixes a subsidised retail rate for rice, wheat, sugar and kerosene oil for a certain quantity.

Annapoorna Yojana (AY)

• AY ration cards are given to older people who are poor and above 65 years.
• Cardholders receive 10 kgs of foodgrains per month under this card.
• State governments issue these cards to the older people who come under this scheme as specified by them.

How to Renew a Ration Card?

You can renew the ration card by following the steps given below:

• Visit the nearest ration card Seva Kendras and complete the biometric process.
• For adding you and your family members, you will need to provide an Aadhaar based biometric authentication at the stage of filing an application. For children aged less than 5 years, biometric authentication is not needed; however, the Aadhaar card is mandatory. This application will then be processed for renewal.
• You will need to pay the service fee for renewal.

Colour Ration Card

In addition to the different types of ration cards under the NFSA, several states continue using colour-based ration cards introduced under the earlier Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Although many states have now adopted digital or NFSA-based ration cards, some continue using colour-based classification.

Common colour codes used were:

• Yellow/Saffron Ration Card: For Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
• Green Ration Card: For Above Poverty Line (APL) families.
• White Ration Card: For higher-income families not eligible for food subsidies.

In states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, colour-coded ration cards still exist alongside NFSA cards.

Benefits and Uses of a Ration Card

Ration cards not only enable access to subsidised food grains but also offer multiple identity and documentation benefits across services. Here are some of the benefits of a ration card:

• Access to food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) for eligible beneficiaries
• Proof of identity and address for PAN, passport, and voter ID applications
• Used in opening bank accounts and for financial transfers
• Required for LPG subsidy applications
• Serves as address proof for mobile SIM cards and insurance claims
• Helps access government welfare schemes for the economically weaker sections
• Acts as an official family record for documentation purposes

Understanding the different types of ration card, their eligibility, and ration card benefits helps households access food security schemes and other government services. While ration card types such as AAY, PHH, and NPHH are issued under the NFSA, some states continue to use legacy TPDS categories. Keeping ration card details updated ensures uninterrupted access to eligible benefits and welfare schemes.

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