Delhi govt resumes new ration cards after 13 years, 7.7 lakh slots open

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced that the process of issuing new ration cards has resumed on a large scale from May 15, ending a wait of nearly 13 years.

Addressing a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Rekha Gupta urged eligible and needy families to apply for ration cards and said the Delhi Government is implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Antyodaya vision to ensure welfare benefits reach those who genuinely need them the most.

The Chief Minister said online applications for new ration cards and for adding family members have been opened through the e-District portal from May 15. Older applications submitted in the past have also been returned to applicants through their login profiles so they can update and resubmit them with valid income certificates and other required documents.

Rekha Gupta said the Delhi Government carried out a comprehensive audit of the public distribution system after assuming office and uncovered large-scale irregularities. According to the government, 7,71,384 ineligible and bogus beneficiaries were identified. Of these, 6,46,123 beneficiaries were found to be above the prescribed income limit, while 95,682 had not availed ration for more than a year. In 6,185 cases, names of deceased persons continued on records, and 23,394 beneficiaries were found drawing benefits from multiple locations.

With the removal of these ineligible names, nearly 7.72 lakh vacancies have opened in the system, paving the way for new eligible beneficiaries to receive ration cards.

The Chief Minister said 3,72,367 applications for new ration cards and 99,501 applications for inclusion of family members are currently pending. Since applicants’ residence, income and eligibility status may have changed over time, the government will allow all applicants to apply afresh under the latest eligibility norms.

Rekha Gupta said the Delhi Government has implemented the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2026, under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, and introduced technology-driven reforms in the ration distribution system. The government is replacing traditional weighing machines at fair-price shops with electronic weighing machines and has made biometric authentication mandatory for ration distribution to prevent under-weighing complaints and reduce leakages.

“All ration card-related services, including fresh applications and addition or deletion of family members, have now been shifted online. Citizens can apply either from home or through nearby facilitation centres,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the reforms will make the system more transparent, accountable and beneficiary-focused.

The government said applicants will now have to submit Aadhaar cards, proof of residence, the latest income certificate and Aadhaar details of all family members to ensure accurate verification and prevent misuse of welfare benefits. Earlier, income details were largely accepted through self-declarations, which allegedly allowed ineligible individuals to enter the system while genuine beneficiaries remained excluded.

To curb corruption and irregularities, the Delhi Government has introduced a multi-layer digital and administrative verification mechanism. Food and Supply Officers will first digitally scrutinise applications and documents, followed by field verification wherever necessary. Assistant Commissioners will then examine verified applications, while a district-level committee headed by the District Magistrate and comprising two local MLAs will take the final decision. Approved ration cards will be generated digitally and downloaded directly from the portal.

“This is not merely an administrative reform. It is our commitment to ensuring food security and a life of dignity for every needy family in Delhi,” Rekha Gupta said.

The Chief Minister further said the annual family income eligibility limit for ration cards has already been increased from 1 lakh to 1.20 lakh under the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2026. She added that the government is considering increasing the limit further to around 2.50 lakh to bring more poor and middle-class families under the welfare net. She said Cabinet-level discussions on the proposal have been positive and a final decision is expected soon.

Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government has taken several welfare-oriented decisions under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. He alleged that previous governments turned the ration system into a vehicle for politics and corruption and said the process of issuing new ration cards had virtually come to a standstill for 13 years, depriving lakhs of deserving families of their benefits.