One Nation One Ration Card: How to Use Ration Card in Any State

Who needs this service?

• Migrant Workers: Daily wagers, construction workers, or laborers working outside their home state.

• Students/Families: Anyone with a valid Ration Card (NFSA) living in a different state from where their card was issued.

• Eligibility: You must hold a valid Priority Household (PHH) or Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card, and your Aadhaar number must be linked to the ration card.

Required Documents

You do not need to carry the physical paper Ration Card if your Aadhaar is linked. However, keep these handy:

• Aadhaar Card (Mandatory for biometric authentication)

• Ration Card Number (Digital or Physical copy)

• Registered Mobile Number (For alerts/OTP)

Important: You do not need to apply for a new card. Your existing card is valid nationwide under this scheme.

Step-by-Step Online Process (Using “Mera Ration” App)

Since ONORC is an Aadhaar-based system, the “online” part is primarily for checking eligibility and locating shops. The actual ration collection happens offline. Use the official Mera Ration app for the best experience.

1. Install the Official App

• Go to Google Play Store and download Mera Ration (Developed by NIC).

• Do not download unofficial APKs.

2. Check Your ONORC Eligibility

• Open the app → Click on “Eligibility”.

• Enter your Ration Card Number or Aadhaar Number.

• Result: The screen will show “ONORC Eligibility: YES/NO“.

• If NO: You must link your Aadhaar to your Ration Card immediately (see “Common Problems” section).

3. Locate Nearest Ration Shop (Fair Price Shop)

• On the app home screen, click “Nearby Ration Shops”.

• Enable your GPS location.

• The app will show a map with red pins indicating the closest ePoS-enabled shops where you can collect ration.

4. Check Your Entitlement (How much you can get)

• Click on “Know Your Entitlement”.

• Enter Ration Card/Aadhaar number.

• It will list exactly how many kgs of Rice/Wheat you can claim in the current month.

Offline Process (How to Collect Ration)

Once you have checked eligibility, follow these steps at the shop:

1. Visit the Shop: Go to any ePoS-enabled Fair Price Shop (FPS) identified in the app.

2. Identify Yourself: Tell the dealer you are an ONORC beneficiary. You do not need a local state card.

3. Provide Details: Give your Ration Card Number or Aadhaar Number.

4. Biometric Auth: Place your finger on the ePoS machine scanner.

   • Note: Any family member whose Aadhaar is seeded can collect the ration.

5. Collect Ration: Once authenticated (Green light/Success beep), pay the standard price (e.g., ₹3/kg rice, ₹2/kg wheat) and collect your grains.

   • Note: You can lift your portion (e.g., 5kg) while your family back home lifts the remaining balance. You don’t have to take it all at once.

How to Check Status & Transaction History

To verify if you received the correct amount or to check past records:

1. Via Mera Ration App: Click on “My Transactions” → Enter Ration Card Number → View last 6 months’ history.

2. Via NFSA Portal:

   • Visit nfsa.gov.in

   • Go to Citizen Corner → Online Grievance (to check status of complaints) or Ration Card Details on State Portals.

Common Problems and Solutions

1. Error: “Aadhaar Not Seeded” / ONORC Eligibility “NO”

• Cause: Your Aadhaar is not linked to your Ration Card data.

• Solution: Visit your home state’s food portal (e.g., food.wb.gov.in for WB, mahafood.gov.in for Maharashtra) and look for “Link Aadhaar with Ration Card”. Alternatively, visit a ration shop in your home state once to get it seeded manually via the ePoS machine.

2. Error: Biometric Mismatch (Fingerprint Failure)

• Cause: Worn-out fingerprints or technical sensor issues.

• Solution: Ask the dealer to use Iris Scanner (eye scan) if available. If that fails, ask for OTP-based authentication (available in some states) sent to your registered mobile.

3. Dealer Refuses to Give Ration

• Cause: Lack of awareness or hoarding.

• Solution: Immediately call the 14445 helpline from the shop. Quote the dealer’s shop number (usually painted on the wall). Dealers are legally bound to serve ONORC beneficiaries.

4. “Family Member Not Found”

• Cause: The specific family member attempting to collect ration has not seeded their Aadhaar.

• Solution: Only the member whose Aadhaar is linked can authenticate. Ensure the person going to the shop has a “Seeded” status in the Mera Ration app.

5. Transaction Shows “Success” but Ration Not Received

• Solution: Lodge a formal complaint immediately via the 1967 helpline or the Mera Ration app under “My Grievance”.

Official Helpline Numbers

• ONORC National Helpline: 14445 (Specific for Portability issues)

• General PDS Helpline: 1967

State-Specific Helplines (Partial List):

• Delhi: 1967

• Maharashtra: 1800-22-4950

• Uttar Pradesh: 1800-1800-150

• Bihar: 1800-345-6194

• West Bengal: 1800-345-5505

• Tamil Nadu: 1800-425-5901

• Karnataka: 1967

(Check the NFSA Contact Page for the full list of state numbers.)

This information is from official sources including the National Food Security Portal (nfsa.gov.in) and Department of Food & Public Distribution as of January 2026. Always verify details on the official Mera Ration app for real-time updates.