From Portability to Inclusion: Transforming Foodgrain Access
The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme was launched in 2019 by the Department of Food & Public Distribution. It is a major reform of the Public Distribution System (PDS), enabling nationwide portability of ration cards and beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). NFSA establishes legal entitlements for subsidized food grains, while TPDS distributes these grains to eligible beneficiaries. Under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) reforms, ONORC uses technology to enable beneficiaries to access their entitled foodgrains anywhere in the country. The initiative has strengthened social protection for migrant populations and advanced the vision of a more integrated, inclusive, and beneficiary-centric welfare delivery system.
- Enables access to foodgrain entitlements from any Fair Price Shop across the country without needing a new ration card. Makes foodgrain entitlements portable across States.
- Supports migrant workers and families in accessing PDS benefits after changing residence.
- Ensures subsidized foodgrain access for beneficiaries wherever they reside.
- Strengthens PDS access for NFSA beneficiaries across the country.
Portability Milestones
ONORC has transformed PDS by making foodgrain access seamless, portable, and nationwide.
- ONORC has been implemented across all 36 States/UTs, covering 100% of PMGKAY beneficiaries.
- ONORC facilitates approximately 3.27 crore portability transactions every month.
- Since its inception, it has recorded over 233 crore inter-state and intra-state portability transactions, distributing more than 614 LMT of foodgrains.
Strengthening Transparency and Delivery Under PDS
The Government has complemented ration portability with digital authentication, data-driven targeting and technology-enabled distribution to improve transparency and last-mile delivery.
- 100% Digitisation: Ration card and beneficiary databases are 100% digitised across all States/UTs as of October 2026, covering around 78.65 crore beneficiaries, and are accessible on public transparency portals of States/UTs. Out of 20.51 crore ration cards in the Central System, 98.8% (20.27 crore) have been Aadhaar-seeded. The total number of beneficiaries seeded with Aadhaar stands at 76.97 crore. As on 30 September 2026, e-KYC has been done in respect of 71.52 crore beneficiaries i.e., 91% of total beneficiaries.
- Transparent Grievance Redressal: Transparency portals, online grievance systems and toll-free helplines operate across all States/UTs.
- Computerised Supply Chain: Online foodgrain allocation is implemented nationwide, while supply chains are computerised in 31 States/UTs.
- ePoS-enabled FPSs: Out of a total of 5.51 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPSs), 99.8% (5.50 lakh) are operational with e-PoS devices.
- Rightful Targeting & De-duplication: Advanced Aadhaar and PDS data analytics flagged 5.95 crore suspicious records, leading to the deletion of 2.58 crore duplicate or ineligible entries for Rightful Targeting V1. Rightful Targeting Version 3.63 flagged and 68 lakhs Deleted.
- NIRMAL & SAKSHAM: Under the Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in PDS (SARTHAK-PDS) umbrella Scheme, these initiatives strengthen data architecture/analytics (NIRMAL) and real-time data integration, including Vehicle Location Tracking Systems (SAKSHAM), from procurement to distribution. SARTHAK-PDS provides financial support for intra-State movement, handling, and FPS dealer margins, while creating a unified, citizen-centric, and interoperable PDS architecture. The scheme aims to ensure last-mile delivery, minimise leakages, and strengthen food security under NFSA through 31 March 2031.
- Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS): Under the SARTHAK-PDS, SMART-PDS digitally integrates ration cards, distribution, supply chains and grievance redressal, while addressing State/UT-level technology gaps through an integrated central system.
Mera Ration App: Foodgrain Access at Your Fingertips
As part of technology-driven TPDS reforms under ONORC, the Department launched the Mera Ration mobile application. Available in 13 languages, the app helps beneficiaries access important ration-related information and services.
Key features include:
- Check monthly foodgrain entitlement details
- View past transaction details
- Verify Aadhaar-seeding status
- Check eligibility for national portability
- Register voluntarily for ONORC
- Locate nearby Fair Price Shops (FPSs) using GPS
- Navigate to the nearest FPS through the map
Mera Ration app helps beneficiaries, particularly migrants, locate nearby FPSs and access their foodgrain entitlements in a new area.
Toward Inclusive and Dignified Food Security
ONORC has transformed the Public Distribution System by making foodgrain access portable, nationwide and technology-enabled. Its implementation across all 36 States/UTs, along with extensive portability transactions, reflects its growing role in strengthening food security. With digitalised beneficiary databases, ePoS-enabled Fair Price Shops, SARTHAK-PDS framework, and the Mera Ration app, the system is becoming more transparent, integrated, and beneficiary-centric.
Collectively, these reforms are strengthening last-mile delivery and ensuring that food security reaches beneficiaries wherever they live and work.
References
Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution
https://nfsa.gov.in/doc/FAQ_for_Mera_Ration_2.pdf
https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/271/AU2600_K4DMRC.pdf?source=pqars
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2269182®=6&lang=1
https://sansad.in/getFile/lsapps/loksabhaquestions/annex/188/AU4010_m1EVEQ.pdf?source=lsapps
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2265788®=3&lang=1
https://dfpd.gov.in/distribution-of-food-grains/en?utm
https://dfpd.gov.in/distribution-of-food-grains/en
PIB Backgrounders
https://www.pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?Id=150838®=3&lang=1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?id=158774&NoteId=158774&ModuleId=3®=48&lang=2
