Rice card (ration card)
In Andhra Pradesh you apply at the village or ward secretariat for a new rice card (ration card), or to add or remove members or change details on your card.
About this guidePending verification
Published on 12-11-2026. Not every fact has been checked against its official source yet: confirm at the office.
For whom: Families living in Andhra Pradesh who need a rice card to draw rice at the fair price shop, or a change to the card they have.
Answer the questions below first. Then the documents and steps open.
1Your situation
We show only what your answers need.
- Which of these is the person applying?
- What do you need?
- Is your family's income from all sources up to ₹10,000 a month (₹1.20 lakh a year) in a village, or up to ₹12,000 a month (₹1.44 lakh a year) in a town?
- Does your family have any of these? More than 3 acres of wet land, more than 10 acres of dry land, or more than 10 acres of both together. A government employee (not a sweeper or sanitation worker: the 2019 amendment says their households are not to be left out). A member who pays income tax. Its own car or other four-wheeler (a taxi, auto or farm tractor does not count). A home, owned or rented, using more than 300 units of electricity a month (in a village, the monthly average is what counts). In a town: its own house of more than 750 sq ft (other than a government housing scheme house).
Your answers stay on this phone.
Each step below says who it is for. Confirm yours at the office, then change your answer here.
We could not confirm whether this applies to you
Under the Andhra Pradesh TPDS (Control) Order, 2018, rice cards are issued for family members who are citizens of India and residents of the State. The order does not say how someone living in another state is treated. Ask at the village or ward secretariat of the place in Andhra Pradesh where you would apply, or call the toll-free number 1967.
Sources: 1, 7
We could not confirm whether this applies to you
Under the Andhra Pradesh TPDS (Control) Order, 2018, rice cards are issued for family members who are citizens of India and residents of the State. The order does not say whether an Indian citizen living abroad counts. Before you apply, or if you want to stay on a card, ask at the village or ward secretariat or the Tahsildar office, or call the toll-free number 1967.
Sources: 1, 7
This route does not apply to your situation
Under the 2018 Control Order, rice cards cover only family members who are Indian citizens. Under the Ministry of Home Affairs notification S.O. 1050(E) of 4 March 2021, an OCI cardholder is a foreign national holding a foreign passport, not an Indian citizen. So an OCI cardholder cannot be on a rice card.
→ Family members who are Indian citizens can still be on a rice card; apply for them at your village or ward secretariat.
Sources: 1, 10, 6
This route does not apply to your situation
Under the 2018 Control Order, rice cards cover only family members who are Indian citizens. A foreign national cannot be on a rice card.
→ Family members who are Indian citizens can still be on a rice card; apply for them at your village or ward secretariat.
Sources: 1, 6
This route does not apply to your situation
Under the 2019 amendment to the Food Security Rules, a rice card needs the family's income to be up to ₹10,000 a month (₹1.20 lakh a year) in a village, or ₹12,000 a month (₹1.44 lakh a year) in a town.
→ Free hospital treatment has its own rules; see this guide:
→ Free hospital treatment: Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva and Ayushman Bharat
Sources: 4
This route does not apply to your situation
Under the Food Security Rules, 2017 (as amended in 2017 and 2019), a family with land over the limit, a government employee or income tax payer, its own four-wheeler, more than 300 units of electricity a month (in a village, on average), or (in a town) its own house of over 750 sq ft does not get a rice card.
→ Free hospital treatment has its own rules; see this guide:
→ Free hospital treatment: Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva and Ayushman Bharat
Sources: 2, 3, 4
2Documents you need
Tick the ones you have. They are kept in this browser.
Details
Sources: 1
Details
Sources: 1
Details
Sources: 1, 6
Details
Not confirmed: Whether the original is also needed is not confirmed; take both.
Sources: 1
Details
Not confirmed: The Control Order says a member is added with e-KYC; it does not say whether a baby needs its own Aadhaar first. Ask at the secretariat.
Sources: 1
Nothing to get ready before these steps.
- Your rice card (its number) ·
3Your steps
· Do them in order. Tick each one when it is done.
- Do this nowIf: A new rice card for our familyIf: None of these
Go to your village or ward secretariat and ask for the "New Rice Card" service.
Give the Aadhaar numbers of everyone in the family. As far as possible, the eldest woman over 18 in the household is the head, and the card is issued in her name.
Not confirmed
The Civil Supplies Department lists this as a village and ward secretariat (GSWS) service. The secretariat portals that give each service's documents, fee and time limit could not be opened safely (problems with their security certificates). So we could not confirm what else is needed besides the documents named here, what it costs or how many days it takes. Ask at the secretariat before you apply.
Sources: 6, 1, 3
- Do this nowIf: We married and live as a separate family; our own card, apart from the parents' cardIf: None of these
At the secretariat, ask for the "Splitting of Rice Card" service.
When a son marries and lives with his wife and children as a separate family, their names are taken off the card they are on now (the parents' card) and they get a card of their own. A minor, or a wife or husband who leaves the family card only to get an extra card, cannot get a separate card.
Not confirmed
The Control Order also requires the family's details to be in the Praja Sadhikara Survey; ask at the secretariat whether this still applies. Under the rules, a dependent parent, a single woman over 35 and a person with a disability count as separate households even under one roof; ask whether this service is for them too. The Civil Supplies Department lists this as a village and ward secretariat (GSWS) service. The secretariat portals that give each service's documents, fee and time limit could not be opened safely (problems with their security certificates). So we could not confirm what else is needed besides the documents named here, what it costs or how many days it takes. Ask at the secretariat before you apply.
Sources: 6, 1, 2
- Do this nowIf: Add a new member to our card (a newborn, or someone who married into the family)
At the secretariat, ask for the "Member Addition in Rice Card" service.
Give the birth certificate for a newborn, or the marriage certificate for someone who married into the family. The new member's Aadhaar e-KYC is done.
Not confirmed
The Control Order forbids anyone to dishonestly apply for or take a rice card when their name is already on another card. If the new member is still on another card (a bride on her parents' card), say so at the secretariat. Whether her name must first be taken off that card with the "Member Deletion in Rice Card" service is not confirmed. The 2018 Control Order says members are added through MeeSeva; the department's website now lists it as a secretariat service. The secretariat portals that give each service's documents, fee and time limit could not be opened safely (problems with their security certificates). So we could not confirm what else is needed besides the documents named here, what it costs or how many days it takes. Ask at the secretariat before you apply.
Sources: 6, 1
- Do this nowIf: Remove someone from our card
At the secretariat, ask for the "Member Deletion in Rice Card" service.
Say whose name should come off and why.
Not confirmed
We found no official list of the proof needed (for example a death certificate). The Civil Supplies Department lists this as a village and ward secretariat (GSWS) service. The secretariat portals that give each service's documents, fee and time limit could not be opened safely (problems with their security certificates). So we could not confirm what else is needed besides the documents named here, what it costs or how many days it takes. Ask at the secretariat before you apply.
Sources: 6
- Do this nowIf: Change the address or details, correct a wrong Aadhaar seeding, or surrender the card
At the secretariat, ask for the service you need: "Change of Address in Rice Card", "Change of Details in Rice Card", "Correction of Wrong Aadhaar Seeding", or "Surrender of Rice Card".
Not confirmed
The Civil Supplies Department lists this as a village and ward secretariat (GSWS) service. The secretariat portals that give each service's documents, fee and time limit could not be opened safely (problems with their security certificates). So we could not confirm what else is needed besides the documents named here, what it costs or how many days it takes. Ask at the secretariat before you apply.
Sources: 6
- Do this nowIf: A new rice card for our family / We married and live as a separate family; our own card, apart from the parents' cardIf: None of these
Wait for the check.
The Tahsildar (Revenue) or the Circle Assistant Supply Officer (Civil Supplies) is responsible for putting an eligible household on the list and issuing the card.
Sources: 3, 2, 1
- Do this nowIf: A new rice card for our family / We married and live as a separate family; our own card, apart from the parents' cardIf: None of these
Once the card is approved, ask at the secretariat where and when you will get it, and collect it.
The government now prints QR-code smart ration cards.
Not confirmed
We read only the January 2026 order sanctioning funds to print QR-code smart ration cards. We found no official page on how the card reaches you.
Sources: 8
- Do this nowIf: A new rice card for our family / We married and live as a separate family; our own card, apart from the parents' card / Add a new member to our card (a newborn, or someone who married into the family) / Remove someone from our card
Each month, anyone named on the card can draw the ration at any fair price shop with an ePoS machine.
Give the card number or Aadhaar number and confirm with fingerprint, iris or face. Under the National Food Security Act, priority households get 5 kg of foodgrains per person a month, and Antyodaya (AAY) households 35 kg per household. Always ask for the ePoS receipt. If fingerprint, iris and face all fail, the VRO or Ward Revenue Secretary confirms it instead.
Sources: 1, 9
If something goes wrong
If it is rejectedIf a card is refused or cancelled, you can appeal to the District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) within 30 days of getting the order.
If a card is refused or cancelled, you can appeal to the District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) within 30 days of getting the order. The DGRO is to decide, as far as practicable, within 30 working days. If you disagree with that decision, you can file a revision petition with the Andhra Pradesh State Food Commission within 30 days of receiving it. You can also go to the Commission if your complaint to the DGRO is not resolved after 30 days.
District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO), District Collectorate
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 5
If it is lateIf your application is delayed, you can complain free of charge to the Tahsildar or the Circle Assistant Supply Officer, in person or in writing.
If your application is delayed, you can complain free of charge to the Tahsildar or the Circle Assistant Supply Officer, in person or in writing. By the rules a complaint is to be settled within 15 days and you are told within 7 days after that; if it is not, it goes up to the next level. You can also file a grievance on PGRS: at the secretariat, at the Collectorate on Mondays, on pgrs.ap.gov.in, or by calling 1100. You can also ring the Civil Supplies consumer helpline, 1967 or 1800 425 0082 (both toll-free).
Civil Supplies consumer helpline (toll-free)
Sources: 2, 3, 7, 11
If you are asked for more moneyThere is no fee for a food security complaint.
There is no fee for a food security complaint. If anyone asks for a bribe, call the ACB toll-free on 1064, or email complaints-acb@ap.gov.in. Do not pay agents who offer to speed things up.
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)
Sources: 2, 12, 11
AlsoIf the shop does not give you your ration though you have a card, weighs short or charges more, complain to the Tahsildar, Assistant Supply Officer, RDO or the DGRO, or call 1100.
If the shop does not give you your ration though you have a card, weighs short or charges more, complain to the Tahsildar, Assistant Supply Officer, RDO or the DGRO, or call 1100. The Civil Supplies consumer helpline is 1967. A card must not be cancelled because you did not draw the ration. If you do not get your foodgrains, you have a right to a food security allowance, and the DGRO can order the ration to be given within 7 days.
Civil Supplies consumer helpline (toll-free)
Sources: 1, 2, 7
AlsoIf your card is lost or damaged, ask at the secretariat.
If your card is lost or damaged, ask at the secretariat. By the Control Order a new one is issued for a fee the government fixes; there is no fee if it was lost in a fire, flood or other natural calamity.
Your village or ward secretariat
Sources: 1
Related guides
The 12 official pages and papers this guide is written from
- Andhra Pradesh State Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2018, with amendments up to 17-05-2022Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (on the department's website), Clause 2(ff) (rice card); 3(1) (households identified after verification); 4(a)(1)-(4) (citizens and residents of the State, eldest woman as head, appeal); 4(c)(1)-(8) (drawing the ration, biometrics, receipt, portability, grievance, call centre 1100); 15(a) (lost or damaged card); 15(c)-(f) (new nuclear family, who gets no separate card, member addition, Aadhaar numbers); 18 (cancellation, appeal); 19(a) (a name already on another card); Annexure I (rice: 5 kg per person, 35 kg per AAY family) · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Ms.No.8, 18-04-2017: The Andhra Pradesh Food Security Rules, 2017Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (G.O.Ms.No.8, CA,F&CS (CS.I) Dept.; on the department's website), Rule 2(1)(e) (household); rule 3(2)(c) (exclusions); rule 5(1), (3)-(6) (grievances: how, free of charge, 15 days); rule 6 (District Grievance Redressal Officer) (18-04-2017) · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Ms.No.15, 17-10-2017: Andhra Pradesh State Food Security Rules 2017 – AmendmentsConsumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (G.O.Ms.No.15, CA,F&CS (CS.I) Dept.; on the department's website), Notification, amendment 1(c)-(g) (rule 3(2)(c): "not being a contract" deleted; income tax "payee"); 3 (rule 5(1)(c): Meekosam portal or the State call centre); 4 (rule 5(2) table, rows 1-3: Tahsildar / Circle A.S.O. as nodal officer, DGRO, State Food Commission) (17-10-2017) · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Ms.No.12, 02-12-2019: Amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Food Security Rules, 2017Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (G.O.Ms.No.12, CA,F&CS (CS.I) Dept.; on the department's website), Notification, amendments (a) (rule 3(2)(b)(i)-(ii): income and land limits), (b) (rule 3(2)(c): land, four-wheeler, 300 units of electricity), (c) (sanitation workers) (02-12-2019) · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Ms.No.7, 10-07-2020: The Andhra Pradesh Food Security Rules, 2017 – Amendments to sub-rules 1 and 5 of rule 6Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Pradesh G.O.I.R.), Notification, amendment 1 ("Joint Collector, Aasara and Welfare" as District Grievance Redressal Officer) (10-07-2020) · read on 30-10-2026
- Civil Supplies Department website: GSWS ServicesConsumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, GSWS Services: the eight rice card services · read on 30-10-2026
- Civil Supplies Department website: ContactsConsumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Toll Free: Consumer Help Line Services 1967, 18004250082 · read on 30-10-2026
- G.O.Rt.No.1, 05-01-2026: Administrative sanction of Rs.8 crore for printing and supply of QR code based Smart Ration CardsConsumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Pradesh G.O.I.R.), Order, paragraph 1 (05-01-2026) · read on 30-10-2026
- The National Food Security Act, 2013 (No. 20 of 2013)Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India (published on the AP Civil Supplies Department's website), Section 3(1) and its proviso (5 kg per person; 35 kg per Antyodaya household) (10-09-2013) · read on 30-10-2026
- Notification S.O. 1050(E), 4 March 2021: rights of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder, under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (The Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3(ii)), Para (5) and Explanation (1) (an OCI cardholder is a foreign national, not a citizen of India) (04-03-2021) · read on 30-10-2026
- PGRS: Frequently Asked QuestionsReal Time Governance Society, Government of Andhra Pradesh (Public Grievance Redressal System), Who can register and how (secretariat, Monday at the Collectorate, portal, app, 1100); status; re-opening; corruption to the ACB helpline · read on 30-10-2026
- AP MeeSeva portal, home pageMeeSeva, ITE&C Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, "Asking Bribe? - Call ACB 1064 or send a mail to complaints-acb@ap.gov.in" · read on 30-10-2026