How To Link Aadhaar Card To Ration Card – Steps To Link and Its Benefits
The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) launched in August 2019, made it mandatory for individuals to get link their Aadhaar Card to Ration Card in order to avail benefits of this scheme. The deadline to link Aadhaar card to Ration card was initially extended from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022, and is now extended to June 30, 2022.
The National Food Security Act allows the State Governments of India to sanction and distribute Ration cards to households eligible to purchase subsidised food grains from the Public Distribution System (PDS). Just like Aadhaar, the Ration card is a voluntary document and is a common way of identification.
Latest Update
UIDAI recently announced that people, whose Aadhaar cards were issued more than 10 years ago, can update their demographic details on myAadhaar portal for FREE from 15th March, 2023 to 30th June, 2023.
Steps to Link Aadhaar Card And Ration Card
While there is no direct online system currently available to enable linking aadhar to ration card, the offline mode as well as SMS facility are pretty simplified. Follow the steps mentioned in this article for quickly linking your ration card to your aadhaar number.
1. Online
Currently, there is no standard official website or app which allows Ration-Aadhaar link nationwide. However, certain states allow online linking, which can be done by visiting the official website of your state’s PDS portal.
2. Offline
The following steps detail how to link Aadhaar to Ration card in the offline mode:
- Visit your nearest Public Distribution System Centre or any Fair-Price Shop or a Ration Shop.
- Carry copies of all family members’ Aadhaar cards along with a passport-sized photograph of the family head and Ration card.
- In the event that your bank account is not linked with your Aadhaar card, a copy of the passbook needs to be submitted.
- All the necessary documents, along with a copy of your Aadhaar card number, needs to be submitted at the PDS shop.
- For Aadhaar authentication, the concerned officials will collect your biometric information, such as your fingerprints.
- An SMS will be issued to the registered mobile number in your Aadhaar following the completion of the aforementioned procedure and after you have submitted all of the required documents. Once the Ration-Aadhaar link is completed, you will receive an extra SMS.
3. SMS
To link Aadhaar to Ration Card via SMS, the following steps need to be followed:
- Send a message to “51969”, after typing a message in the format: “UID SEED <State Short Code> <Scheme/Program Short Code> <Scheme/Program ID> <Aadhaar Number>”.
- After being sent successfully, the application shall receive the notifications mentioning the receipt of information, successful verification and finally, the Aadhaar-Ration Card link.
Benefits of Linking Aadhaar Card to Ration Card
- Aadhaar as the nationalised identity card will serve as the KYC for the needy to avail ration under the PDS system.
- One of the major benefits of Aadhaar-Ration Card link will be an expansion of reach and resources of the PDS to the eligible through the elimination of duplicate Ration Cards. This will reduce the number of fraudulent Ration card holders who benefit from resources that are meant for families living below the poverty line (BPL).
- The issuance of multiple Ration cards under one name may be revoked.
- PDS ration leakage and diversion can be controlled.
- Aadhaar cards assist in building an audit system in PDS, allowing for the identification and elimination of corrupt middlemen and enhancing the framework’s efficiency.
Also Read: How To Get An Instant Personal Loan With Aadhaar Card
Documents Required to Link Aadhaar Card To Ration Card
- A photocopy of your Aadhaar card along with the original card for authentication
- A photocopy of your Ration card as well as the original card for authentication
- Family heads’ passport-sized photograph
- Family heads’ Aadhaar card’s photocopy
- All family members’ Aadhaar card’s photocopy
- And, in case the bank account is not linked with the Aadhaar card, Bank Passbook copy will be required too.
Why Should You Link Aadhaar Card To Ration Card?
The Ration card is the oldest form of identification used to prove residency in India, and tying it to an Aadhaar account will enable users to benefit from a number of advantages in addition to reducing the likelihood of fraud.
Each household receives a Ration card that entitles them to discounted food and fuel. The Ration card also functions as a proof of identification and address alongside other documents such as passport and PAN card. However, there have been cases where someone gets more ration than their fair share or where people who aren’t qualified get it, depriving the needy of others.
The government would be able to monitor and stop cases of people obtaining duplicate Ration cards by making it mandatory to link the Aadhaar to Ration card. The government will also be able to stop anyone whose income exceeds the Ration eligibility criteria and makes them ineligible for rations. Additionally, this will guarantee that only the deserving/people in need receive subsidised fuel or food grains.
Also Read: All You Need To Know About The Aadhaar Card Correction Form
Final word
With linking Aadhaar Card to Ration Card, the government hopes to weed out the undeserving who have been partaking in the rationing of resources meant for the needy, and also eliminate corrupt middlemen in the system.
The government has now mandated citizens of India to hold ration cards to link this oldest form of identity/residence proof with the new-age Aadhaar. This move is extremely beneficial in terms of the efficiency it injects into the Public Distribution System framework by covering up the loopholes that has plagued the system for long. Corrupt practices and fraudulent activities ruined the very essence of existence of such a system and a step like this would only aid in restoring the purpose of helping the needy altogether.
FAQs
Ans: No, it is not compulsory to link Aadhaar to Ration card. Only if you were to avail the services from the government is it mandatory to do so.
Ans: Yes, it is mandatory and important as this will authenticate your details as the Aadhaar card holder and help complete the Ration-Aadhaar card link successfully.
Ans: In the event that your phone number is not registered with UIDAI, it won’t be possible to use any of the Aadhaar online services. You need to visit the nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Centre and get your phone number linked.
Ans: For this, the option to verify using an OTP via an unregistered phone number needs to be selected. It is to be noted however, that this feature is available online only if your mobile number hasn’t been registered with Aadhaar yet.
Ans: Families who meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the specific state government are given priority Ration cards. Each household is qualified to get 5 kg of food grains for each member according to this. Priority Ration card holders can also link their Aadhaar with Ration cards, but they will only receive the benefits that the government has fixed.
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