Centre to Cancel 25 Lakh Ration Cards: Massive Verification Drive Launched to Identify Fake and Inactive Beneficiaries

In a nationwide crackdown, the Indian government has ordered the cancellation of up to 25 lakh ration cards deemed fake, inactive, or ineligible—impacting millions of welfare beneficiaries.

✅ Why the Government Is Taking Action

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has issued fresh guidelines to state authorities urging immediate action against beneficiaries who haven’t collected ration supplies for six or more consecutive months. This move comes after data revealed a high number of inactive or fraudulently held ration cards, prompting concern over misuse of public welfare schemes.

Currently, India has more than 23 crore active ration cards, which form the backbone of the Public Distribution System (PDS) and enable access to subsidized food grains and various government schemes.

🚨 Who’s Affected by the Cancellation?

According to government estimates, nearly 25 lakh ration cards, or roughly 18% of the total in circulation, could be cancelled in the coming weeks. This includes people who:

• Haven’t availed ration benefits for six months or more

• Have obtained ration cards using forged or false documents

• Are economically ineligible for subsidies but have continued using government schemes

The government argues that if an individual has not availed food grains for such an extended period, they may no longer be eligible—or worse, may never have been.

🏠 Door-to-Door Verification Campaign Begins

To ensure accuracy and transparency, state and local officials have begun home-level inspections. Field teams will physically verify beneficiaries—even those who have previously completed e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) processes.

This decision highlights the government’s commitment to cleaning up the welfare system and stopping misuse at the grassroots level.

🍚 Impact on PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana Beneficiaries

The move will have serious implications for beneficiaries under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)—a flagship scheme introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide free monthly food grain to over 80 crore Indians.

If any cardholder under this scheme has not availed ration for the past six months, they risk being removed from the list of eligible recipients, which could also disqualify them from other benefits.

📝 e-KYC: Your Shield Against Deactivation

Beneficiaries are being urged to complete or update their e-KYC immediately. Despite multiple extensions, many users have still not submitted their biometric and identity verifications.

This lag has led authorities to suspect that several such ration cards could be fake or wrongly issued. The government insists that e-KYC is mandatory, and failure to complete it could result in permanent deactivation of the card.

❌ Fake Cards, Real Consequences

Officials have uncovered several cases where non-eligible citizens, including those with sufficient income, have fraudulently acquired ration cards using manipulated documents. These cards are often used not just for free food grain, but also to access high-value schemes like:

• Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which provides ₹5 lakh in free healthcare

• EWS quota admissions in schools and colleges, which require ration cards as proof of income

This misuse undermines the very purpose of these welfare initiatives, robbing genuinely deserving families of their rightful support.

📌 What Should You Do Now?

If you are a ration cardholder, take the following actions immediately:

• ✅ Collect any pending rations from your local fair price shop

• ✅ Ensure your e-KYC is completed and up to date

• ✅ Cooperate with local authorities during verification visits

🔍 Conclusion: A Step Toward Cleaner Welfare Distribution

The Centre’s latest action aims to streamline welfare delivery, remove inefficiencies, and ensure that only the needy and eligible receive benefits. With public funds at stake, the crackdown is expected to enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and make India’s ration distribution system more robust.

🛑 Don’t ignore the warnings. Check your eligibility now—before your name disappears from the list.