The government has issued an important alert for ration card holders across the country. To make the Public Distribution System (PDS) more transparent and efficient, the Food Department has made e-KYC mandatory for beneficiaries receiving free wheat and rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. If e-KYC is not completed within the stipulated time, the supply of free ration may be discontinued.

Deadline for e-KYC

As per the latest government instructions, every member listed on a ration card must complete e-KYC by January 31, 2026. This includes linking Aadhaar with the ration card and completing biometric verification. If any family member fails to complete this process, their name can be removed from the ration card, which may affect the household’s eligibility for free ration.

Who needs to complete e-KYC?

• All existing ration card holders

• Every family member whose name is mentioned on the ration card

• Beneficiaries availing free wheat and rice under government food schemes

Without verification of all listed members, the ration card may be considered incomplete.

Why biometric verification is being made compulsory

The main objective of e-KYC is to remove irregularities from the ration distribution system. Authorities have found several issues such as:

• Names of deceased persons still appearing on ration cards

• Ineligible individuals continuing to receive benefits

• Ration being taken from old locations even after address changes

Biometric e-KYC helps ensure that only genuine and eligible beneficiaries receive food grains, preventing misuse of public resources.

What happens if you miss the deadline?

If e-KYC is not completed by January 31, 2026, beneficiaries may:

• Lose access to free ration

• Have names removed from the ration card

• Face suspension of benefits under food security schemes