Delhi sees steady response as ration card applications resume

The Delhi government's e-District portal has received 487 new ration card applications since its launch, with officials verifying documents and implementing stricter eligibility criteria.

The process for submitting new ration card applications and requests to add family members through the e-District portal is gaining traction.

Since the portal opened to the public, the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs of the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) has received 487 new ration card applications, officials said on Tuesday.

The exercise began in the national capital last Friday, according to officials.

They said the process is gradually picking up pace as documents are being verified diligently and new criteria have been set.

Officials said under the new rules, those living in A-E category colonies, holding government jobs, paying income tax, owning four-wheelers and having power connections above 2 KW are ineligible for ration cards.

For applicants needing help filling out the forms, the Department of Food Supplies issued a helpline number 1967.

The government has also started returning old and long-pending applications to applicants' e-District login accounts for resubmission.

In February, the Delhi government notified the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2026, changing the annual income criterion for issuing ration cards to Rs 1.20 lakh from the existing Rs 1 lakh per annum.

Under the new rules, only online applications for ration cards will be accepted in Delhi, and each household member must furnish their Aadhaar numbers, officials said.