One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)

Source: PIB
GS II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections

Why in the News?

The Department of Food and Public Distribution highlighted the progress of the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, which enables beneficiaries to access their entitled food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country.

News in Brief

• Launched in 2019, ONORC enables nationwide portability of ration benefits under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
• Implemented across all 36 States/UTs, the scheme covers 100% of PMGKAY beneficiaries.
• It facilitates around 3.27 crore portability transactions monthly, with over 233 crore inter-state and intra-state transactions recorded since its inception.
• More than 614 LMT of food grains have been distributed through portability transactions, supported by Aadhaar authentication, e-PoS devices and digitized ration card databases to improve transparency.

What is One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)?

• ONORC is a nationwide ration card portability initiative launched in 2019 by the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
• It enables eligible beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, to obtain their entitled subsidized food grains from any Fair Price Shop in India.
• Beneficiaries do not need to obtain a new ration card when they move to another state for employment or other reasons.
• The scheme uses technology-enabled authentication to facilitate access to foodgrain entitlements across state boundaries.
• It shifts the Public Distribution System from a location-based delivery model towards a portable and beneficiary-centric system.

Nationwide Portability

• Implemented across all 36 States/UTs.
• Covers 100% of PMGKAY beneficiaries.
• Facilitates access to foodgrain entitlements irrespective of the beneficiary’s place of residence.
• Particularly benefits migrant workers who frequently move between states in search of employment.

Strengthening Transparency through Digitalization

The government has introduced several technology-driven reforms to improve the efficiency of the Public Distribution System.

Digitization of ration cards

• Ration card and beneficiary databases have been 100% digitised across all States/UTs as of October 2026.
• The system covers approximately 78.65 crore beneficiaries.
• Out of 20.51 crore ration cards, 98.8% (20.27 crore) have been Aadhaar-seeded.
• Aadhaar seeding covers 76.97 crore beneficiaries.
• e-KYC has been completed for 71.52 crore beneficiaries, representing 91% of the total beneficiaries, as of 30 September 2026.

Electronic Point of Sale (e-PoS) Devices

• Out of 5.51 lakh Fair Price Shops, 99.8% (5.50 lakh) are equipped with operational e-PoS devices.
• These devices facilitate electronic authentication and improve transparency in foodgrain distribution.

Computerized supply chain

• Online foodgrain allocation has been implemented nationwide.
• Supply chains have been computerised in 31 States/UTs.
• This helps improve monitoring of foodgrain movement from procurement to distribution.

Grievance Redressal

• Transparency portals, online grievance redressal systems and toll-free helplines are operational across all States/UTs.
• These mechanisms help beneficiaries report problems and access information about their entitlements.

Rightful targeting and de-duplication

• Aadhaar-based authentication and PDS data analytics are used to identify suspicious and duplicate beneficiary records.
• Rightful Targeting Version 1 flagged 5.95 crore suspicious records, resulting in the deletion of 2.58 crore duplicate or ineligible entries.
• Rightful Targeting Version 3.63 flagged and deleted 68 lakh records.
• These measures aim to reduce leakages, prevent duplication and ensure that benefits reach eligible households.

SARTHAK-PDS Framework

• The government has introduced initiatives under the Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in PDS (SARTHAK-PDS) to strengthen the technological and operational framework of the Public Distribution System. Important components include;
• NIRMAL
  • Strengthens the data architecture and analytics of the PDS.
  • Supports better management and monitoring of distribution-related information.
• SAKSHAM
  • Facilitates real-time data integration.
  • Incorporates Vehicle Location Tracking Systems to monitor food grain transportation from procurement to distribution.
• Other objectives of SARTHAK-PDS
  • Provides financial support for intra-state transportation and handling of foodgrains.
  • Supports Fair Price Shop dealer margins.
  • Promotes an integrated and interoperable PDS architecture.
  • Aims to minimize leakages and strengthen last-mile delivery.
  • The scheme is intended to continue until 31 March 2031.

SMART-PDS

• The Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS) is another important initiative under the SARTHAK-PDS framework.
• It aims to;
  • Digitally integrate ration cards and foodgrain distribution.
  • Strengthen supply chain management.
  • Improve grievance redressal mechanisms.
  • Address technology gaps across States/UTs through an integrated central system.

Mera Ration App

• The Department of Food and Public Distribution launched the Mera Ration mobile application as part of technology-driven reforms under ONORC.
• The application is available in 13 languages and helps beneficiaries access ration-related information and services.
• Key Features:
  • Check monthly foodgrain entitlements.
  • View previous ration transactions.
  • Verify Aadhaar-seeding status.
  • Check eligibility for national portability.
  • Register voluntarily for ONORC.
  • Locate nearby Fair Price Shops using GPS.
  • Navigate to the nearest Fair Price Shop through maps.
• The application is particularly useful for migrant workers who need to locate ration shops and access their entitlements after moving to a new location.

Significance of One Nation One Ration Card

• ONORC strengthens food security by ensuring uninterrupted access to subsidized foodgrains, irrespective of beneficiaries’ place of residence.
• It is particularly beneficial for migrant workers and their families, who can access ration entitlements outside their home states.
• The scheme promotes inclusive and beneficiary-centric welfare delivery by making the Public Distribution System more accessible.
• Further, Aadhaar authentication, e-PoS devices and computerised supply chains improve transparency, reduce leakages and enhance accountability.
• Its nationwide implementation also strengthens cooperative federalism through coordination between the Centre and States/UTs.
• Overall, ONORC provides a foundation for making welfare benefits portable and accessible to people who frequently migrate across geographical boundaries.

Challenges associated with ONORC

• Despite its benefits, ONORC faces several implementation challenges.
• Aadhaar-based biometric authentication may lead to exclusion due to connectivity issues, biometric mismatches and technical failures.
• The digital divide and limited digital literacy can prevent beneficiaries from effectively accessing digital services.
• Differences in administrative capacity and PDS infrastructure across states may affect inter-state coordination.
• Lack of awareness among migrant workers about portability rights and grievance redressal mechanisms further limits access.
• Moreover, inadequate foodgrain stocks at Fair Price Shops can weaken last-mile delivery, while the incorrect deletion of beneficiary records may exclude eligible households from food security  benefits.

Way Forward and Conclusion

ONORC should be strengthened through offline authentication alternatives, better awareness among migrant workers and adequate foodgrain availability at Fair Price Shops. Effective grievance redressal, improved Centre-State coordination and regular social audits are essential to prevent exclusion and ensure accountability.

Overall, ONORC is an important step towards portable, inclusive and technology-driven food security. Strengthening its implementation will help ensure that no eligible beneficiary is denied food grain entitlements due to geographical or administrative barriers.

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