Ration Card Owners Must Know this – October Update

Under the Public Distribution System (PDS), ration cards in Kerala are a necessary paperwork used by homes to get subsidised food and other basics. Under management by the Civil Supplies Department of Kerala, the ration card is absolutely essential for food security, particularly for low-income households.

Ration Card Types from Kerala
In Kerala, ration cards fall into four categories according to household financial situation and needs:

Priority Household (PHH) Card: These are granted to underprivileged groups so they may purchase food grains and basics including rice, wheat, and sugar at heavily subsidised rates.

Designed for the most underprivileged, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards provide food grains at extremely low rates: ₹2 for rice and ₹3 for wheat.

Non-priority Subsidy (NPS) cards: Homes falling under the poverty level yet still qualify for some subsidies fall into this group. They get ration goods at rates less than those of the open market.

Non-priority non-subsidiary (NPNS) cards: Those households in better financial situation fit this group. They use the card as proof of domicile and identity; they do not get any subsidies.

Eligibility and advantages
Income, land ownership, and other socioeconomic considerations define Kerala’s ration card eligibility. From approved ration stores, cardholders may buy basics such rice, wheat, sugar, kerosene and lentils at subsidised rates.

Digital Initiatives
The application for and management of ration cards process has been digitised by the Kerala government. By applying for ration cards online via the official Civil Supplies Department webpage, citizens help households to easily access their rights.

For many government programs, scholarships, and other services in Kerala, ration cards also function as a varied identity certificate. Particularly helping rural and urban underprivileged areas all throughout the state, the distribution system guarantees food security.