Puducherry Ration Card

APL (Above Poverty Line) Ration Card

Eligibility - Families with income levels exceeding the prescribed poverty line criteria.

Benefits - Typically, APL card holders are not eligible for subsidized food grains, but the card serves as an identification document.  

BPL (Below Poverty Line) Ration Card

Eligibility - Families falling below the poverty line based on specified income criteria.

Benefits - BPL cardholders are entitled to receive subsidized food grains and essential commodities from government-run fair price shops.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card

Eligibility - Identified as the poorest of the poor families.

Benefits - AAY card holders receive more significant subsidies than BPL families, obtaining essential commodities at highly subsidized rates.

Annapurna Ration Card

Eligibility - Senior citizens who are not eligible for an old-age pension, aged above 65 years and do not have any earning member in the family.

Benefits - Annapurna cardholders receive a specified quantity of food grains free of cost each month.

PHH Ration Card

PHH stands for Priority Household, which refers to households given special consideration in various government programs.

Every year, the government of the Union Territory establishes specific criteria to determine the eligibility or ineligibility of households and identify those in need. Only families meeting the specified criteria are eligible to obtain a ration card.

What Information Is Included on the Ration Card?

The Ration Card typically contains the following details:

1. Names of Family Members: The ration card includes the names and details of all family members, specifying the head of the family and their relationship to other members.
2. Card Type: The card indicates its type, such as Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Below Poverty Line (BPL), or Above Poverty Line (APL).
3. Address: The residential address of the cardholder's family is provided, aiding in the identification of the locality and jurisdiction for distributing subsidised food items.
4. Card Number: Each ration card is assigned a unique identification number, serving as a tracking and identification reference.
5. Date of Birth: The ration card may include the date of birth of the family head and other family members.
6. Father's/Husband's Name: The name of the father or husband of the family head is also mentioned on the ration card.
7. Card Issuing Authority: Information about the department or authority responsible for issuing the ration card is included.
8. Barcode or QR Code: Some states incorporate a barcode or QR code on ration cards, facilitating an easy and efficient digital verification process.

Eligibility Criteria

It is important to carefully review the detailed eligibility criteria and regulations before applying.

1. Only residents of the Union Territory can apply for the Puducherry ration card.
2. The applicant must have permanent residency in the Union Territory of Pondicherry.
3. The applicant should not have any other state ration card registered under their name.
4. The annual income of the household must comply with the income limits specified by the Puducherry government.

Documents Required

During the online application process, the following documents need to be uploaded

1. Certificate of Consent
2. Photograph of the house
3. A recent photograph of the Head of the Family (HoF)
4. Surrender Certificate, if applicable

1. Rent Deed
2. Electricity Bill
3. Gas Connection

During the verification process, the following documents need to be presented

1. Copy of Aadhaar Card for each family member

1. Residential Proof
2. Domicile Certificate
3. Surrender Certificate, if applicable
4. Copy of Electricity Bill
5. Copy of Gas Connection

1. Rent Deed

Puducherry Ration Card Application Process

The Government of Puducherry has introduced both online and offline application methods for obtaining a new Ration Card and for adding names to a Puducherry ration card online.

Online Process

Step 1 - Visit the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Puducherry's official website. Then click on the 'Online Services' provided link once the homepage is displayed.

Step 2 - Once the new page opens, you need to select the 'Apply for New Ration Card' link.

Step 3 - Carefully read the important instructions which will appear on the following page. And click on the 'Proceed' button, which is at the bottom of the page.

Step 4 - After clicking, the next screen will appear. From the list of districts from the drop-down list select your district and provide your mobile number. Tick the checkbox and click on the 'Send OTP' button to proceed.

Step 5 - Once the verification is successfully completed, you will be directed to the next page of the process, where an application form will be displayed.

Step 6 - Enter the required details in the following sections:

1. Basic Details
2. Head of Family (HoF) Details
3. Bank Account Details
4. Gas Connection Details
5. Residential Address

Step 7 - Towards the bottom of the page, click on the 'Save and Proceed to Add Member' option. Then, enter the details of all the family members you wish to include in the list.

Step 8 - Finally, review the application form and click on the 'Submit' button. It is suggested to save a copy of the filled application form and the unique application number generated for future reference.

How to Apply for a Ration Card Offline in Puducherry?

To apply for a new ration card offline, follow these steps:

Step 1 - Visit the nearest notary office of the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs in Puducherry.

Step 2 - Obtain an application form from the relevant office specifically designed for new ration card applications.

Step 3 - Fill in all the necessary fields of the form with accurate information.

Step 4 - Attach the required supporting documents along with a recent photograph in the designated space.

Step 5 - Submit the completed application form and supporting documents to the authorities at the office.

Step 6 - The officials will carefully verify the submitted documents and provide you with an acknowledgement slip as proof of submission.

Step 7 - Keep the acknowledgement slip safe for future reference.

Step 8 - Once your application is approved, the subsequent procedures will commence accordingly.

How to Review Puducherry Ration Card Details Online

To view their Ration Card Details online, beneficiaries can follow the procedure outlined below:

Step 1 - Start by visiting the official website of the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Puducherry. Click on the 'Online Services' link.

Step 2 - On the website, select the 'View Card Details' tab, which can be found on the menu bar. This will open a new page.

Step 3 - Enter the relevant details, including your district, ration card number, the last four digits of the Aadhaar Card number of the head of the family, and the registered mobile number. Tick the consent checkbox and click on the 'Send OTP' button.

Step 4 - Verify the OTP that is sent to your registered mobile number. The details of your desired ration card will then be displayed on the screen.

How to Track Application Status

To track the status of their Ration Card applications, applicants can follow these steps on the official website of the Puducherry Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.

• Visit the official website of the Puducherry Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
• Click on the 'Online Services' link on the homepage.
• From the menu bar, select the 'Application Status' tab.
• Enter your Acknowledgement Number and the registered mobile number.
• Fill in the provided space with the given captcha code.
• Click on the 'Check Status' button.
• Your screen will display the status of your application.