Tamil Nadu Ration Card: List 2025, Status Check, Download, Apply Online

Ration cards play a vital role in India's Public Distribution System (PDS), ensuring eligible households receive essential commodities at subsidised rates. Tamil Nadu boasts a well-organised and digitised ration card system, making access to food security more efficient. 

In this article, we will discuss the Tamil Nadu ration card list, application procedures, status checks and the download process. 

Overview of Tamil Nadu Ration Card

The following table portrays the details of the ration card in Tamil Nadu:

Types of Ration Cards in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, ration cards are issued based on income levels and family size. The main ration card types in Tamil Nadu are as follows:

PHH (Priority Household) Ration Card

The PHH ration card enables eligible households to receive all essential commodities, ensuring access to subsidised food grains. This card is aimed at families identified as needing priority assistance under the Public Distribution System (PDS), promoting food security for helpless populations.

AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) Ration Card

The AAY ration card provides all commodities, including a monthly allocation of 35 kg of rice. This card is designed for the poorest households, ensuring they receive adequate food support to meet their basic nutritional needs and improve their living conditions.

NPHH (Non-Priority Household) Family Ration Card (Rice Card)

The NPHH rice card allows households to access all essential commodities but does not prioritise them under the PDS. This card is suitable for families that do not qualify for the PHH category but still require support in obtaining food supplies.

NPHH (Non-Priority Household) Family Ration Card (Sugar Card)

The NPHH sugar card provides access to all essential commodities except rice. This card caters to families that require assistance for purchasing monthly rations except rice.

NPHH (Non-Priority Household) Empty Ration Card

The NPHH empty card does not entitle holders to any commodities. It serves primarily as an identification document for households that do not qualify for any benefits under the PDS and is often used for administrative purposes.

Tamil Nadu Ration Card List 2025

The Tamil Nadu government maintains a list of individuals enrolled under the Tamil Nadu ration card. You can view the ration card list with the help of the following steps:

Step 1: Open the Tamil Nadu Food Supplies and Consumer Protection website.

Step 2: Click on the ‘NFSA Reports’ option on the left side of the homepage menu.

Step 3: Click on the district name, taluk and shop code. 

Step 4: The smart card number list will appear on the screen. 

How to Apply for a Ration Card in Tamil Nadu?

You can apply for a ration card in Tamil Nadu either online or offline. 

Online Process

Step 1: Open the Tamil Nadu Food Supplies and Consumer Protection website.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Apply for a electronic card’ option under the ‘Electronic Card Services’ option on the homepage.

Step 3: On the next page, the ration card application form will appear. Fill in the necessary information on the form.

Step 4: Upload the required documents and click ‘Register’.

Step 5: Upon successful submission, you will receive a reference number, which you can use to track the status of your ration card application.

Offline Process

Step 1: Visit your nearest Assistant Commissioner of Civil Supplies, Taluk Supply Officers or Assistant Rationing Officers. 

Step 2: Request the officials for a ration card application form. 

Step 3: Fill out the form accurately by providing the necessary details. 

Step 4: Review the form and submit it along with the required documents to the officials.

Eligibility Criteria for Ration Card in Tamil Nadu

The eligibility criteria you must follow for a TN ration card to apply online are listed below:

• The applicant and their family should be living and cooking separately.
• Applicants and their families must be permanent residents of Tamil Nadu.
• Applicants or any family member must not be registered under another family card in Tamil Nadu.
• The applicant and family members must be closely related.

Documents Required Ration Card in Tamil Nadu

To apply for a TN ration card, the applicant must submit a completed application form along with the following required documents:

• Photograph of the head of the family
• Proof of residence, any one of the following:
  • Voter ID
  • Electricity bill
  • Telephone bill
  • Bank passbook
  • Aadhaar card
  • Property tax receipt/ rental agreement
  • Gas consumer card
  • Passport
  • Slum replacement board allocation letter
• Surrender certificate, in case of surrender of any previously issued card
• No card certificate if no family card was issued at the previous address.

How to Check Ration Card Status in Tamil Nadu?

After applying for a Tamil Nadu ration card, you must wait for a few days for your ration card to reach you. However, in the meantime, you may check your Tamil Nadu ration card application status through the steps shown below:

Step 1: Open the Tamil Nadu Food Supplies and Consumer Protection website.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Status of electronic card application’ option under the ‘Electronic Card Services’ option on the homepage.

Step 3: Enter the reference number provided after submitting your application.

Step 4: Click the ‘Submit’ button to check the status of the Tamil Nadu ration card application.

Tamil Nadu Ration Card Download

If you are wondering how to download a ration card in Tamil Nadu​, you can effortlessly download it by visiting the official website. Here are simple steps to follow for the download process:

Step 1: Open the Tamil Nadu Food Supplies and Consumer Protection website.

Step 2: Click ‘User Login’, available on the left-hand side of the homepage menu.

Step 3: Enter your mobile number, captcha code and click ‘Login’.

Step 4: Scroll down and click the ‘Electronic Card Download’ button.

Step 5: The PDF version of your smart ration card will be downloaded.

How to Add and Remove Name from Ration Card in Tamil Nadu?

Adding and removing a name in the Tamil Nadu ration card is easy. Here is a detailed guide on how you can add and remove names in TN ration cards through the online process:

Add Name to TN Ration Card

Step 1: Open the Tamil Nadu Food Supplies and Consumer Protection website.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Add member’ option under the ‘Electronic Card Related Services’ option on the homepage.

Step 3: Enter your mobile number, captcha code and click ‘Login’.

Step 4: Fill in the required details and upload the documents.

Step 5: Carefully review all details before submitting the application form.

Step 6: After submission, you will receive a reference number through which you can track the status of your application.

Remove Name from TN Ration Card

Step 1: Open the Tamil Nadu Food Supplies and Consumer Protection website.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Remove Family member’ option under the ‘Electronic Card Related Services’ option on the homepage.

Step 3: Enter your mobile number, captcha code and click ‘Login’.

Step 4: Enter the required details, including the reason for removal.

Step 5: Upload the required documents and click the ‘Submit’ button

TN Ration Card Helpline Number

If you have any complaints or queries about the Tamil Nadu ration card, you can reach the TN ration card helpline numbers: 

• 1967 
• 1800-425-5901

The Tamil Nadu ration card system is vital to ensure food security among residents. They can efficiently navigate this essential service by familiarising themselves with the application process, eligibility requirements and methods for checking status or downloading cards.

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6. Uttarakhand Ration Card