Specialist Advisor
Corporate & Compliance Consultant
Published on: Aug 11, 2026
Chandigarh Ration Card
Ration card is an essential multi-purpose document that entitles the resident of a state to obtain essential goods at highly subsidised rates through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). In Chandigarh, ration cards are issued by the Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Welfare. It is advisable for all citizens of the state to hold ration card as it enables the holder to procure all subsidies provided by the Chandigarh Government. The primary objective of the issue of new ration card is to eliminate the duplicate and bogus ration cards and cover all eligible beneficiaries in the city of Chandigarh. In this article, we look at the procedure for obtaining Chandigarh ration card in detail.Purpose of Ration Card
Ration card is a legal document/ certificate that can be used as an identity proof and also used as proof of your residence in all the Private and Government sector official works. It can be used to get household things at a subsidised rate so that all people could profit from Government Schemes. The government of Chandigarh provides a subsidy for essential food items and commodities for ration card holders. It benefits the targeted poorest families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), and another population is living Below Poverty Line (BPL) recognised as such within the overall norms approved by the Department of Food and Public Distribution. For the people, those who are above the poverty line, benefits under PDS are restricted as per the notifications from the government from the time being.Linking Aadhar to Ration Card
The objective of linking Aadhar with Ration card is to avoid the issuance of duplicate and multiple identities by digitising it and also to streamline the benefits attached to it. Aadhaar linking with Ration card helps in maintaining transparency in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) network. Linking of Ration Cards with Aadhaar of all the beneficiaries would facilitate in ensuring correct targeting of the recipients for distribution of subsidised food grains or cash transfer of food subsidies under NFSA. To know more about Linking Aadhar to Ration Card.Types of Ration Card
Chandigarh Government issues different types of Ration Card for the people in the state. The total population of Chandigarh has been classified into the following categories for proper supply and distribution of SFA’s and Kerosene oil. Above Poverty Line (APL):- Families having total income above Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum is issued with APL Cards (White Colour). Below Poverty Line (BPL):- Families having a total family income below Rs. 24,200/- per annum have been identified under this category. Antyodya Anna Yojana (AAY):- Household with a disabled adult and no assured means of subsistence, landless labourers, marginal farmers, artisans, craft men, widows, terminally ill persons etc. are covered under this scheme. Annapurna Yojana (AY):- Under this scheme, a destitute person with more than 65 years of age having no source of income and not availing the benefit of national Old Age Pension or State Pension Scheme are entitled to 10 Kg of food grains free of cost every month.Eligibility Criteria
The criteria are based on the economic status of the beneficiary families. To obtain a ration card in the State of Chandigarh, the applicant must satisfy the following conditions- The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
- The applicant should not possess another ration card.
Required Documents
When applying for a new ration card, it is necessary to submit the following documents along with the application form.- Identity Proof (Aadhar Card, voter ID card, electricity bill, water bill etc.)
- Photos of all the family members whose names are going to be there on the Ration Card.
- Proof of Date of Birth.
- Proof of Residence.
- Two passport size group family photographs
- An affidavit duly specified.
- The applicant should not be in possession of a refrigerator, coloured television and scooter etc. and his income should be less than Rs. 300.91 per capita per month.
Subsidised Rate of Commodities
Below mentioned Commodities are provided to Chandigarh citizen who holds valid ration card.| S. No. | Name of the Commodity | Scale of Issue | Rate |
| 1. | Levy Sugar BPL | 1 Kg. Per unit per month | Rs. 13.50 per Kg |
| 2. | Rice Below Poverty Line (B.P.L.) | 25 Kgs. per Ration Card | Rs. 6.02 per Kg |
| 3. | Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) | 35 Kgs. Per Ration Card | Rs. 3.00 per Kg |
| 4. | 35 Kgs. per Ration Card |
|
Rs. 9.02 per Kg |
Concerned Authority
Chandigarh Citizens can submit the application forms relating to ration card services and National Food Security at the nearest circle offices of Department of Food & Supplies.Prescribed Time Frame
A new ration card (MRC/ SRC) with necessary conditions is issued to a person within 12 working days from the date of application.- New ration card in case of migration from another state – 12 working days
- Duplicate ration card (MRC/ SRC) – 7 working days
- Addition & deletion of names from ration cards – same day with the required proof or 5 days in case of verification of the documents.