One Nation One Ration Card: Nationwide Portability Across 36 States and Union Territories

The news

The Department of Food and Public Distribution has implemented the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme across all 36 States and Union Territories, covering 100% of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana beneficiaries. Launched in 2019, the scheme enables eligible beneficiaries to access their foodgrain entitlements from any Fair Price Shop in the country without obtaining a new ration card, a reform that particularly supports migrant workers and their families.

The system now records approximately 3.27 crore portability transactions every month. Since its inception, ONORC has logged over 233 crore inter-state and intra-state portability transactions, distributing more than 614 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains. As of October 2026, beneficiary databases covering around 78.65 crore people have been 100% digitised across all States and Union Territories, according to the department.

What is the National Food Security Act?

The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides the legal framework for the Public Distribution System that the One Nation One Ration Card scheme reforms. The Act legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidised foodgrains through the Targeted Public Distribution System. It recognises the Public Distribution System as the primary institutional mechanism for delivering these entitlements. The Act also includes provisions for nutritional support to women and children, and for food security allowances in case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains.

How does the digital backbone support portability?

The department has complemented ration portability with technology-driven measures. Of 20.51 crore ration cards in the central system, 98.8% (20.27 crore) have been Aadhaar-seeded, and 76.97 crore beneficiaries are seeded with Aadhaar. As of 30 September 2026, e-KYC has been completed for 71.52 crore beneficiaries, or 91% of the total. Electronic point-of-sale devices are operational at 5.50 lakh of 5.51 lakh Fair Price Shops, or 99.8%. Online foodgrain allocation is implemented nationwide, and supply chains are computerised in 31 States and Union Territories.

What has the targeting drive achieved and missed?

Advanced Aadhaar and PDS data analytics flagged 5.95 crore suspicious records under Rightful Targeting V1, leading to the deletion of 2.58 crore duplicate or ineligible entries. A subsequent version, Rightful Targeting V3.63, flagged and deleted 68 lakh entries.

What is the next step under SARTHAK-PDS?

The SARTHAK-PDS umbrella scheme, which provides financial support for intra-State movement, handling and Fair Price Shop dealer margins, runs through 31 March 2031. Under it, NIRMAL strengthens data architecture and analytics, while SAKSHAM supports real-time data integration including vehicle location tracking. SMART-PDS digitally integrates ration cards, distribution, supply chains and grievance redressal to address State-level technology gaps through an integrated central system.