One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) — How to Use Ration Card Anywhere in India

The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme is one of the most significant food security reforms in India. It enables migrant workers and their families to access subsidised ration from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country — not just the one assigned in their home state.

If you're a migrant worker, a student living away from home, or someone who has relocated, this guide explains everything you need to know about using your ration card anywhere in India.

Related: How to Apply for a Ration Card Online | Check Ration Card Status, Download & Update

What Is the ONORC Scheme?

The One Nation One Ration Card initiative was launched by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, to bring ration card portability across the nation. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, eligible households receive subsidised wheat, rice, and other foodgrains through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Traditionally, beneficiaries could only collect ration from the specific FPS allotted in their home district. ONORC removes this restriction by enabling inter-state and intra-state portability.

Key Features

• No new card needed — your existing NFSA ration card works nationwide
• Aadhaar-based authentication at ePoS (electronic Point of Sale) machines
• Partial or full entitlement can be drawn from any ePoS-enabled FPS
• Real-time tracking of transactions via the Integrated Management of PDS (IMPDS) portal
• Available across all 36 states and Union Territories

How Ration Card Portability Works

The portability mechanism relies on two key technology layers:

1. Aadhaar Seeding

Your Aadhaar number must be linked (seeded) to your ration card. This creates a unique digital identity that the PDS system can verify at any location.

Need Aadhaar help? See our guides on applying for Aadhaar and solving common Aadhaar problems.

2. ePoS Machine Authentication

Every participating Fair Price Shop has an ePoS (electronic Point of Sale) device connected to the central IMPDS system. When you visit a shop:

1. The FPS dealer enters your ration card number or Aadhaar number
2. The system fetches your entitlement details in real-time
3. You authenticate using fingerprint biometric (or iris scan)
4. The system displays your monthly entitlement and remaining balance
5. You collect your foodgrains, and the transaction is recorded centrally

This means even if your ration card was issued in Bihar, you can collect wheat or rice from a Fair Price Shop in Tamil Nadu — the system handles everything digitally.

Which States and UTs Participate?

ONORC has been implemented across all 36 states and Union Territories of India. The rollout was completed in phases, and the system is now operational nationwide.

Some states with high migrant populations — such as Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala — see particularly high volumes of inter-state portability transactions.

Tip: To verify whether a specific FPS near you supports ePoS-based portability, check the Mera Ration app or the IMPDS portal.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Your Ration Card in Another State

Prerequisites

• A valid NFSA ration card (Antyodaya Anna Yojana or Priority Household)
• Aadhaar number linked to your ration card
• Access to an ePoS-enabled Fair Price Shop at your current location

Process

1. Locate a nearby FPS — Use the Mera Ration app or ask locally for the nearest government Fair Price Shop
2. Visit during distribution hours — FPS timings vary by state; check locally
3. Provide your details — Give your ration card number or Aadhaar number to the FPS dealer
4. Authenticate biometrically — Place your finger on the ePoS biometric scanner. If fingerprint fails, request iris scan
5. Collect your ration — The ePoS machine will display your entitlement. Collect the quantity you need
6. Get a receipt — The machine generates a transaction slip. Keep it for your records

What You Can Collect

Under NFSA, typical entitlements are:

Foodgrains are provided at highly subsidised rates: rice at ₹3/kg, wheat at ₹2/kg, and coarse grains at ₹1/kg (verify current rates on the NFSA portal).

Mera Ration Mobile App

The Mera Ration app is the official mobile application for ONORC beneficiaries. It is available on Android (Google Play Store).

What You Can Do on Mera Ration

• Find nearby FPS with GPS-based search
• Check your entitlement and monthly allocation
• View transaction history — see where and when you last collected ration
• Check remaining balance for the current month
• Register grievances if you face issues
• Available in multiple languages including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and others

How to Use

1. Download Mera Ration from the Google Play Store
2. Enter your ration card number or Aadhaar number
3. Verify with OTP
4. Access your dashboard showing entitlement, balance, and nearby FPS locations

Checking Entitlement Online

You can check your ONORC entitlement through multiple channels:

• IMPDS Portal: Visit impds.nic.in and enter your ration card details
• NFSA Portal: Visit nfsa.gov.in to check your name in the NFSA beneficiary list
• Annavitran Portal: Visit annavitran.nic.in for foodgrain allocation and distribution details
• Mera Ration App: Mobile-friendly way to check everything on the go

Common Issues and Solutions

Biometric Authentication Failure

This is the most frequently reported problem. Causes include:

• Worn fingerprints — common among manual labourers
• Dry or wet fingers — moisture affects scanner accuracy
• ePoS device malfunction — hardware issues at the FPS

Solutions:

• Clean and dry your fingers before scanning
• Try different fingers (all registered fingerprints work)
• Request iris-based authentication if the device supports it
• If all biometric methods fail, contact your district Food & Civil Supplies office

Name Mismatch Between Aadhaar and Ration Card

If your name on Aadhaar differs from your ration card, the ePoS system may reject authentication.

Solutions:

• Get the name corrected on either your Aadhaar card or ration card
• Visit your local Food & Civil Supplies office with both documents for manual correction

Aadhaar Not Seeded to Ration Card

Without Aadhaar linking, portability will not work.

Solution:

• Visit your local FPS or Food & Civil Supplies office
• Carry your Aadhaar card and ration card
• Request Aadhaar seeding — it is done free of cost

Entitlement Not Showing at FPS

If the ePoS machine shows zero entitlement:

• Your quota may already have been collected (by another family member or from your home state FPS)
• There may be a server connectivity issue — try again later
• Check your balance on the Mera Ration app or IMPDS portal before visiting

Helplines and Grievance Redressal

For state-specific helpline numbers, visit the NFSA portal and navigate to your state's section.

Important Tips for Migrant Workers

1. Link Aadhaar before you migrate — get it done at your home district to avoid complications later
2. Download the Mera Ration app — it works offline for finding FPS locations
3. Keep your ration card safe — carry a photocopy or save a digital copy on your phone
4. Check balance before visiting FPS — avoid wasted trips by confirming your remaining entitlement online
5. Know your rights — FPS dealers cannot refuse service to out-of-state ration card holders if the shop has ePoS and your Aadhaar is seeded

Conclusion

The One Nation One Ration Card scheme is a landmark step toward ensuring food security for India's migrant population. With Aadhaar-based authentication and ePoS technology, collecting your entitled ration is now possible from any participating Fair Price Shop in any state.

If you haven't already, ensure your Aadhaar is linked to your ration card and download the Mera Ration app to stay informed about your entitlements.

Next steps: Apply for a Ration Card Online | Check Ration Card Status & Download | Apply for Aadhaar Card