Ration Card Update: Over 1.17 Crore Cards Set for Cancellation, Government Issues State-Wise List

The central government has initiated a massive cleanup drive in the ration card system, identifying over 1.17 crore cardholders who are no longer eligible to receive free food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). This move, announced by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, aims to ensure that only deserving households benefit from subsidized rations and that ineligible beneficiaries are weeded out from the system.

Who Will Lose Their Ration Cards?

According to the official statement, the latest scrutiny focuses on three categories of beneficiaries who have been found ineligible under NFSA rules:

• Individuals who own a four-wheeler (car owners).

• Taxpayers who file income tax returns.

• People serving as directors in registered companies.

The government’s cross-verification process revealed some striking numbers: approximately 94.71 lakh ration cardholders were identified as income taxpayers, 17.51 lakh were found to own cars, and 5.31 lakh were listed as company directors. All these individuals are now considered ineligible to receive free ration benefits.

How Was the Data Verified?

The cancellation list was not prepared in isolation. Instead, the government integrated ration card data with multiple departmental databases, including those of the Income Tax Department, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. By merging and analyzing this data, officials were able to filter out beneficiaries who did not meet NFSA’s eligibility criteria.

Instructions to States and Deadlines

The Union government has instructed all states and union territories to carefully verify this list and remove the names of ineligible beneficiaries by September 30, 2025. Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra emphasized in a letter to states that the Ration Card Management System (RCMS) had already identified duplicate and inactive cards. With this fresh round of data integration, authorities now have a clearer picture of who should remain in the system and who should not.

Why Is This Move Important?

Officials argue that the cleanup is essential to maintain transparency and fairness under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). By eliminating ineligible cardholders, the government will be able to include those who are currently on the waiting list and are genuinely deserving of food subsidies. This ensures that the benefits of the scheme reach households struggling with food insecurity instead of being misused by affluent families.

Past Actions and Wider Coverage

This is not the first time the government has acted against fake or ineligible ration cards. Between 2021 and 2023, authorities had already cancelled over 1.34 crore ration cards found to be bogus or misused.

Currently, the NFSA covers around 81.35 crore beneficiaries across India. The Act mandates coverage for 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population. Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), eligible families continue to receive free food grains, which has been a critical support system for millions, especially during the pandemic and its aftermath.

What Should Beneficiaries Do?

Households are advised to check their eligibility status with their respective state governments to ensure their ration card remains valid. Those who find their names missing from the updated list should verify whether they fall into the ineligible categories identified by the government.

The Road Ahead

As the government tightens its monitoring systems and integrates data across ministries, the distribution of food grains is expected to become more efficient and transparent. Officials believe that this exercise will strengthen India’s food security framework while ensuring that public resources are directed only to those who truly need them.