What is a Ration Card and its Importance in Bihar?

A **Ration Card** is an official document issued by the Department of Food and Consumer Protection, Government of Bihar, to eligible households. It serves multiple purposes:

• Access to Subsidized Food Grains: The primary benefit is enabling cardholders to purchase essential food commodities (rice, wheat, sugar, kerosene, etc.) at highly subsidized rates through Fair Price Shops (FPS) under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
• Identity Proof: It acts as a valid proof of identity and residence for citizens in Bihar, often required for various other government schemes and services.
• Social Security: It plays a crucial role in ensuring food security for economically weaker sections of society, especially those covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
• One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC): Bihar is part of the ONORC scheme, which allows ration cardholders to lift their entitled food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country, regardless of their native state, making it highly beneficial for migrant workers.

Types of Ration Cards in Bihar

The type of ration card issued depends on the household's income level and socio-economic status, determining the quantity of subsidized commodities they are entitled to. The primary categories under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Bihar are:

• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card:
  • Purpose: Issued to the "poorest of the poor" families identified under specific criteria.
  • Benefit: Entitles the household to **35 kg of food grains per month** (e.g., 7 kg wheat and 28 kg rice), regardless of the family size, at highly subsidized prices (e.g., ₹2/kg for wheat, ₹3/kg for rice).
  • Eligibility: Families with extremely low income, including landless agricultural laborers, marginal farmers, rural artisans, slum dwellers, daily wage earners, widows, terminally ill persons, disabled persons, etc.
• Priority Household (PHH) Ration Card:
  • Purpose: Issued to households identified as "priority" under the NFSA.
  • Benefit: Entitles each member of the household to **5 kg of food grains per person per month** (e.g., 1 kg wheat and 4 kg rice) at subsidized rates (e.g., ₹2/kg for wheat, ₹3/kg for rice).
  • Eligibility: Households that meet the eligibility criteria set by the state government based on income, family size, and other socio-economic indicators, but are not covered under AAY.
• Non-Priority Household (NPHH) Ration Card (formerly APL):
  • Purpose: For households that do not qualify for PHH or AAY categories.
  • Benefit: While these cards were earlier used to receive limited subsidized grains, under NFSA, the primary benefit is often just for identity proof and access to other government services. Some states might still offer limited benefits.
  • Eligibility: Families whose annual income is above the specified limit for PHH/AAY categories.

Note: Some older categories like BPL (Below Poverty Line) and APL (Above Poverty Line) have largely been subsumed under the NFSA's PHH and AAY categories for food grain entitlements.

Online Application Process for New Ration Card in Bihar

The Government of Bihar facilitates online application for new ration cards through its dedicated portal. The primary portal is the **RCMS Bihar (Ration Card Management System)**, which is part of the Electronic Public Distribution System (EPDS) Bihar.

Step-by-Step Online Application:

1. Visit the Official EPDS Bihar Portal:
   • Go to https://epds.bihar.gov.in/
   • Or directly to the RCMS online application portal: https://rconline.bihar.gov.in/
2. Register on the Portal (New User):
   • Look for an option like "Apply for Online RC" or "RC Online" section on the homepage, then click on "Login."
   • If you are a new user, you will need to "Sign up for Meri Pehchaan" (which is the Bihar state's Single Sign-On system) or register directly on the RCMS portal.
   • Enter your name (in English and Hindi), mobile number, Aadhaar number, email ID, district, PIN code, and create a password.
   • Validate your mobile number with an OTP.
   • Upon successful registration, you will receive a Login ID.
3. Login to the Portal:
   • Use your Login ID and password to log in.
4. Start New Application:
   • After logging in, click on "Apply" and then select "New Apply."
   • Choose whether you are applying for a **Rural** or **Urban** Ration Card.
5. Fill Applicant Details:
   • Fill in the head of the family's details (applicant's name, Aadhaar, date of birth, gender, marital status, occupation, relationship with family members, etc.).
6. Add Member Details:
   • Add details for all other family members, ensuring their names match their Aadhaar cards. Each member's Aadhaar number is mandatory.
   • You can add, edit, or delete members during this stage.
7. Upload Documents:
   • Carefully read the instructions for document upload. All documents must be self-attested.
   • Upload the following (usually in PDF format, merged where specified):
     • Family photograph.
     • Applicant's signature photo.
     • Merged PDF copy of: Bank Passbook (front page with account details), Residential Proof, Aadhaar Card of each family member.
     • Income Certificate (separate file): Mandatory to determine eligibility category.
     • Caste Certificate (separate file, if applicable): Mandatory for those not belonging to the General caste category.
     • Disability Certificate (if applicable).
     • Old/Cancelled/Surrendered Ration Card (if any).
8. Final Submission:
   • After uploading all documents, click on the "Final Submission" link.
   • Review all the information carefully.
   • Check the declaration box and confirm final submission.
   • You will receive an application ID/acknowledgment number via SMS to your registered mobile number. Keep this ID safe for status tracking.

Note: The final submission must be made within 30 days of starting the application, otherwise, you might have to re-enter family details.

Checking Bihar Ration Card Status and List Online

Bihar provides multiple ways to check your ration card application status and view the ration card list online.

1. Check Application Status (Using RTPS Number):

• Visit the RCMS Bihar portal: https://rcms.bihar.gov.in/
• Click on "Application Status" from the top menu.
• Select your District and Subdivision.
• Enter your **RTPS Number** (the application ID you received after final submission).
• Click "Show" to view your application status.

2. Check RC Details / Download e-Ration Card (Using Ration Card Number):

• Visit the EPDS Bihar portal: https://epds.bihar.gov.in/
• Click on the "RC Details" option (sometimes found under "RC Online" or "Citizen Services").
• Enter your District and your Ration Card Number.
• Click "Search" to view your card details. You can then print or download your e-Ration Card.

3. Check Ration Card List (RCMS Report):

• Visit the EPDS Bihar portal: https://epds.bihar.gov.in/
• On the homepage, click on "RCMS Report" (RC Details by District, often found on the left sidebar or in quick links).
• Select your District.
• You will see numbers for Rural and Urban beneficiaries. Click on the relevant number.
• For Rural: Select your Block, then Panchayat, then Village.
• For Urban: Select your Town, then your FPS Dealer name/number.
• A list of ration cardholders for your selected area will appear. You can then click on the ration card number to view details.

Other Important Ration Card Services in Bihar

• Adding a New Member:
  • Login to the RCMS Bihar portal.
  • Go to "Apply" and select "Apply for Correction."
  • Enter your existing ration card number and search.
  • You can then add the new member's details and upload their Aadhaar and other required documents.
  • Submit the application for correction.
• Removing a Name from Ration Card:
  • Similar to adding a member, login to the RCMS Bihar portal and select "Apply for Correction."
  • After searching your card, you will see the list of members. You can select the member to be deleted and submit the application.
  • This is common in cases of marriage (for females moving to a new household), death, or relocation.
• Ration Card Correction/Update:
  • Any errors in names, addresses, or other details on the ration card can be corrected by logging in and using the "Apply for Correction" option. Upload relevant proof documents.
• Fair Price Shop (FPS) Search:
  • The EPDS portal often provides options to locate your designated Fair Price Shop (ration shop) based on your area.
• Grievance Redressal:
  • The Department of Food and Consumer Protection has mechanisms for grievance registration regarding ration card services or PDS issues.
  • Often available on the EPDS portal or through a dedicated grievance portal.
• AePDS Bihar Portal:
  • The Aadhaar-enabled Public Distribution System (AePDS) portal (https://epos.bihar.gov.in/) allows checking various reports like PMGKY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) distribution, RC details, FPS status, etc.

Important Considerations and Helpline

• Aadhaar Linkage: Aadhaar seeding (linking Aadhaar with your ration card) is mandatory for all family members to avail benefits and is crucial for the ONORC scheme.
• Self-Attestation: All uploaded documents must be self-attested by the applicant.
• Income Criteria: Eligibility for different card types heavily depends on the household's annual income. Ensure your income certificate is accurate.
• Official Portals Only: Always use the official government websites for all ration card services to ensure authenticity and data security.
• Helpline Number: For any queries or issues related to Bihar Ration Cards, you can contact the toll-free helpline number: **1800-3456-194** or **1967**.

The Bihar government continuously strives to make the PDS more transparent and accessible through digital initiatives, empowering citizens to manage their ration card services easily.