A ration card is a document issued by the state government which serves as proof of identity for Indian citizens. According to the Public Distribution System (PDS), it can be used for the purchase of essential commodities from 'fair price' or ration shops.
Each state government has prescribed separate application forms that can be submitted offline or online for obtaining a ration card. For example, Delhi applicants can check nfs.delhi.gov.in, while applications from Maharashtra can access mahafood.gov.in.

The applicant is required to pay a basic minimum fee along with the application form. Once the application is submitted, the file is sent for field verification.
How to check the status of a ration card application?

• To track the status of your ration card application, Indian citizens can follow a simple process through the official online portal - https://nfsa.gov.in.


• By visiting the website, users can navigate to the "Citizen Corner" section, select "Know Your Ration Card Status," and enter the required details such as the ration card number and a captcha code.


• After clicking on "Get RC Details," the status of the application will be displayed.

Alternatively, applicants can visit the official websites of their respective state's Department of Food and Civil Supplies or the Public Distribution System (PDS) portal.

There, they will find a dedicated section to check the status. By entering their Aadhaar number and verifying the captcha, users can submit their details and view or download their ration card status.

Delays in the ration card process can occur for various reasons, such as errors in personal information like the applicant's name or address, missing documents, technical issues on the portal, or a high volume of applications being processed at once.