New Ration Card Applicants Must Complete E-KYC For All Family Members

Families applying for a new ration card must complete an e-KYC process for every single member of the household, according to official guidelines. If even one member misses this verification, the entire application process can stall. Amrendra Kumar, the in-charge supply officer and ADSO for the Siswan block, explained that simply submitting an online application is not enough to finish the process. Applicants need to visit their local public distribution system shop within two days of applying to complete the e-KYC using the POS machine or the designated app. This step prevents unnecessary delays in getting the card. Officials advised beneficiaries to contact their local ration dealer directly if they face any trouble, and to avoid middlemen completely. Meanwhile, the Bihar government has also made the verification process easier for existing ration card holders by introducing a mobile app option. According to Jagran, people who live in other districts or states for work or studies can now verify their details using their smartphones through facial recognition. This spares them from traveling back to their home villages. Beneficiaries using the app are advised to stick to the official platform and keep their Aadhaar details secure from strangers. In the Bhabua subdivision, the smart PDS system has already helped issue 7,375 new ration cards under these administrative efforts.

Context

Digital verification steps like e-KYC and Aadhaar linking are increasingly used across public welfare schemes to prevent duplicate entries and ensure benefits reach verified citizens. Beneficiaries should always use official government channels and authorized fair price shops for these procedures to protect their personal data.