Different Types of Ration Cards in India in 2024

The Government of India offers various types of ration cards through the Public Distribution System (PDS), providing subsidised food grains to families below the poverty line. Set up to ensure equitable access to essential food supplies, these cards cater to different financial situations nationwide.

Read this blog to understand more about the different types of ration cards.

Types of Ration Cards in India

There are 6 different types of ration cards in India. They are:

• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Ration Card

The AAY Ration Card targets the poorest of the poor families in India. Individuals without a stable income, such as rickshaw pullers, daily labourers and coolies, are issued this card. Unemployed individuals, women, and the elderly are also eligible for this card.

Families with this card receive 15 kg of wheat and 20 kg of rice per month. The subsidised rates are ₹2 per kg for wheat and ₹3 per kg for rice.

• Priority Household (PHH) Ration Card

These cards are generally given to families based on their level of income and vulnerability.

With this card, households get 5 kg of food grains per person each month at a subsidised rate. The prices are ₹1 per kg for coarse grains, ₹2 per kg for wheat, and ₹3 per kg for rice.

State governments use the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) to identify priority household families, following their specific guidelines for inclusion and exclusion.

Inclusion Guidelines

• Persons with over 40% disability
• Families without shelter
• Households with a widow pension holder
• Transgender individuals
• Households from primitive tribal groups
• Destitute individuals relying on alms

Exclusion Guidelines

• Households with a pucca house having at least three rooms
• Families paying income tax
• Households with pensioners or members earning above ₹10,000 monthly in rural areas or ₹15,000 in urban areas
• Families with regular state or central government employees, including public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies
• Households with a 2 KW or more electric connection and monthly consumption of 300 units
• Families with government-registered enterprises for manufacturing or services
• Households owning motorised vehicles, four-wheelers, heavy vehicles, trawlers or two or more motorboats
• Families with mechanised agricultural equipment like tractors and harvesters
  

• Non-Priority Household (NPHH) Ration Card

The NPHH Ration Card ensures fair access to essential goods for a broad range of households.

Unlike the priority card, this is more inclusive, recognising that financial stability can be precarious. It provides flexible access to subsidised items without stringent criteria, serving as a safety net during economic downturns.

The NPHH card supports families on the verge of financial instability, contributing to community resilience and inclusivity.

• APL (Above Poverty Line) Ration Card

The APL Ration Cards are issued to households with incomes just above the poverty line.

Criteria for these cards include factors like assets, income, and social indicators. APL cards were part of India’s targeted public distribution system.

• BPL (Below Poverty Line) Ration Card

The BPL Ration Card is issued to households identified as facing significant economic hardship.

A BPL card enables access to essential commodities at subsidised rates, reflecting the government's efforts to support economically disadvantaged sections of society.

• AY (Annapurna Yojana) Ration Card

The Annapurna Yojana Ration Card in India is designed for individuals over 65 years old who have no regular source of income.

It aims to support elderly citizens not covered by the National Food Security Act, ensuring food security for those without significant means of support or pension benefits.