Theme: Government & Elections

Applying for New Ration Card

You may require a Ration Card for purposes like getting ID proof, purchasing grains at subsidized prices, etc. To get a new Ration Card, please follow the steps given below. Both the online procedure and the procedure for applying physically is given.

Procedure for Applying In-Person

Follow the steps given below to get a new Ration Card1:

Step 1 – You should fill out the application form, which you can obtain from any Circle Office, or download it from your state government’s website. You can access the portals to the relevant website for all the states here.

Step 2 – You should submit the relevant documents. Though the documents required vary across states, you will commonly be required to submit the following:

  • Proof of identification
  • Passport-sized photographs of the female head of your family attested by a gazetted officer/MLA/MP/Municipal Councillor
  • The specified proof of residence (If you cannot provide proof of residence, the office will conduct record the statements of two witnesses in your neighbourhood)
  • Income certificate, if applicable
  • The Surrender/Deletion Certificate of the previous Ration Card, if any
  • The prescribed fee. This varies across states.

Step 3 – You should get your documents verified by the officers at the Circle Office.

Step 4 – You should collect your acknowledgement receipt from the authorities.

Step 5 – You can then collect your Ration Card from the Circle Office/get it delivered.  For example, in Delhi, the Ration Card is uploaded online. The time limit varies across states. For example, in Delhi, it can take up to 2 months.

Online Procedure

You can also apply for a Ration Card online, depending on whether your state has that facility available. You can also check the status of your Ration Card in some states here.

Once you have your Ration card, you can also download it online through your state government’s website. For example, for Delhi, you should go to the website, and fill in the relevant details, such as Ration Card number, Aadhar number, etc., and you will be able to download your Card online.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Read this government resource for more information.

  1. IndiaGov Archive, Apply for Ration Card, https://archive.india.gov.in/howdo/howdoi.php?service=7 [↩]

Duplicate/Lost Ration Card

If your Ration Card is damaged or lost, you can approach the Circle Office, and ask them for a duplicate Ration Card. You will be given a new Ration Card, with the same details as your original.  To get a duplicate Ration Card, follow the steps given below:

Step 1 –  You should go to the Circle Office, and tell them that you need a duplicate Ration Card, on the basis of which, you will be provided with the relevant application form.

Step 2 – You should fill out the application form.

Step 3 – You should submit the relevant documents. Generally, you will have to submit an FIR for the Ration Card, if it is lost.

Step 4 – You should get your documents verified.

Step 5 –   You should collect your acknowledgement slip.

Step 6 – You can then collect your Ration Card/get it delivered. Some states have the facility to download it online. For example, in Delhi, you must download it.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.

Check this resource on the National Government Service Portal

Voter ID Card

A Voter ID Card, also known as the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is a photo identity card that is issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to all individuals who are eligible to vote.1 This card is commonly known by other names such as an election card, voter’s card, Voter ID, etc.

The primary purpose of this card is to improve the accuracy of the electoral roll and to help prevent cases of electoral fraud. It serves as an identification proof when individuals cast their vote and prevents the impersonation of voters.2 Know more about voting without Voter ID Card here.

The Voter ID Card also acts as a valid photo ID proof for several official purposes such as obtaining Aadhaar, PAN Card etc.

The Voter ID Card contains the elector’s name, age and residence (among other particulars), and must have elector’s photograph affixed to it. It bears the signature of the Registration Officer i.e., the electoral registration officer of your constituency.3 The voter’s card is prepared in duplicate, and one copy is retained with the registration officer while the other is delivered to the voter.4

You can enroll as a voter if you:5

  1. Are an Indian citizen
  2. Have attained the age of 18 years
  3. Are ordinarily resident of the polling area of the constituency where you want to be enrolled
  4. Are not disqualified to be enrolled as an elector. The disqualification may happen if you are convicted for an offence or you carry out corrupt practices.6

Know more about who can vote here.

A Voter ID Card does not require any renewal. You can obtain a new Voter ID Card and also update your Voter’s ID. If you require any additional help and support, please see here.  

Read this government resource to know more.

  1. Section 61(b), Representation of the People Act, 1951; Rule 28(2), Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. [↩]
  2. Rule 28(1), Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. [↩]
  3. Rule 2(d), Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. [↩]
  4. Rule 28(3), Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. [↩]
  5. Article 326, Constitution of India. [↩]
  6. Section 11A, Representation of the People Act, 1951. [↩]

Applying for New Voter ID Card

You can obtain a new Voter ID Card either by applying online or in person.

Obtaining a Voter ID Card

Step 1: You are eligible to vote if your name appears in the electoral list, otherwise you need to register to vote. Check if you are registered to vote here. Read more about verifying your name here.

Step 2: Check which category of voter you are – General elector, NRI elector, or Service elector. If you are an NRI elector or Service elector, know more here.

Step 3: You can enroll either online or in person:

Online

General voters (resident electors in India), first time voters and voters shifting to a new constituency have to fill out Form 6 on the National Voters’ Service Portal (NVSP). The Form will be uploaded online. Read more here.

In Person

You also enroll in person by filling two copies of Form 6 which is also available free of cost in offices of Electoral Registration Officers/Assistant Electoral Registration Officers and Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

If you are filing the application in person, you can fill it:

  • In front of the concerned Electoral Registration Officer / Assistant Electoral Registration Officer; or
  • Send the form by post addressed to him; or
  • Hand the form over to the Booth Level Officer of your polling area.

Step 4: Whether you choose to enrol online or in person, you will need to submit the following documents along with your application form:

Step 5: A BLO will visit the address given in the Form, to verify the details you gave in your application. After the Voter ID Card is ready, the BLO will either send/drop it off to your address or will request you to collect it from the Electoral Registration Office. Generally, it takes around 2 months from the date of application to receive your Voter ID Card. Track your application status on the NVSP.

Step 6: The Electoral Registration Officer issues a notice with the draft of the names of the voters, so that you can object to any of the names. This list will be displayed on the website of the Chief Election Officer (CEO), notice board of Electoral Registration Officer and polling stations. Know more about filing an objection here.

If you require any additional help and support, please see here.  

Read this government resource to know more.