One Nation One Ration Card Scheme (ONORC)
The ONORC scheme is being implemented by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India for the nationwide portability of ration cards under National Food Security Act (NFSA). Using this, all eligible ration card holders/beneficiaries covered under NFSA can access their entitlements from anywhere in the country.
This scheme facilitates the widespread availability of heavily discounted food grains by making ration cards universally usable across the country. This is achieved by implementing an IT-based system, incorporating electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices at Fair Price Shops (FPSs), linking beneficiaries’ Aadhaar numbers with their ration cards, and activating biometrically verified ePoS transactions within the various States and Union Territories.
Beneficiaries have the flexibility to provide either their ration card number or their Aadhaar number when dealing with any Fair Price Shop’s merchant throughout the nation. Anyone within the household who has linked their Aadhaar to the ration card can go through the authentication process and obtain the allocated ration. It’s not necessary to share or carry the physical ration card or Aadhaar card to access this benefit. Beneficiaries can complete the Aadhaar verification using their fingerprint or iris-based identification.
The One Nation One Ration Card initiative was initiated to enable the interstate use of ration cards in four states, starting from August 2019. As on October 2023, 37 states/UTs have implemented the scheme.
Benefits
- This system allows all NFSA beneficiaries, particularly migrant beneficiaries, to claim either full or part foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the country through an existing ration card with biometric/Aadhaar authentication in a seamless manner
- The system also allows their family members back home, if any, to claim the balance foodgrains on same the ration card
- Apart from this, ONORC will also give the beneficiaries the opportunity to choose their own dealer. With many cases of misallocation, the beneficiary can switch to another FPS shop instantly, if there is any case of foul play
Eligibility
One Nation One Ration Card for providing an option to all eligible ration cardholders or beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
How to Apply?
The application process is offline. Suggestive steps are given below:
- Interested person shall visit nearest Fair Price Shop with Ration Card
- Beneficiaries can quote either their ration card number or the Aadhaar number to any Fair Price Shop’s dealer across the country.
- Anyone in the family, who have seeded Aadhaar in the ration card can undergo authentication and lift the ration. There is no need to share or carry the ration card or Aadhaar card with ration dealer to avail the benefit.
- Beneficiaries can undergo Aadhaar authentication by using their fingerprints or iris based identification.
View the Ration Card Dashboard | Know your Ration Card Status
A mobile app namely “Mera Ration App” has also been developed for easy access by the Beneficiaries. User can download the mobile app and register by providing the ration card number by clicking on the Submit button. By entering the ration card number, beneficiaries can also get transaction details. This also helps in checking the eligibility of the cardholder using the Aadhar number or ration card number. The beneficiary can rate and give feedback on the services provided by sharing their mobile number and card number.
