Ration card income eligibility to be raised to Rs 2.5 lakh per annum in Delhi

The Delhi government has cancelled over 7 lakh ration cards and plans to raise the income limit for issuing new cards to Rs 2.5 lakh per annum, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, Gupta said the government had cancelled around 7.72 lakh ''invalid'' ration cards, and invited fresh online applications.

She mentioned that no new ration cards have been issued in Delhi for the past 13 years.

''After an intensive audit, the government removed 1.44 lakh beneficiaries not fulfilling the income criterion, 35,800 who did not receive ration, 29,580 who died, while 23,394 ration cards were found to be duplicates,'' she said.

Currently, the income criterion for eligibility for a ration card in Delhi is capped at Rs 1.2 lakh per annum. Gupta clarified that the increase aims to benefit a larger number of families in need.

''The annual family income eligibility limit for ration cards has already been increased from Rs one lakh to Rs 1.20 lakh under the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2026, to bring more poor and middle-class families under the welfare net,'' Gupta said.

The further increase to Rs 2.5 lakh is expected to be discussed in the next Cabinet meeting, she stated.

The chief minister said online applications for new ration cards and for adding family members have been opened through the e-District portal (edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in) from May 15, 2026.

She informed that 3,72,367 applications for new ration cards and 99,501 applications for inclusion of family members are currently pending. Since applicants' residence, income and eligibility status may have changed over time, all applicants will be given an opportunity to apply afresh under the latest eligibility norms.

Applicants can update and resubmit them with a valid family income certificate and other required documents, she said.

With the removal of ineligible beneficiaries, nearly 7.72 lakh vacancies have opened up in the system, paving the way for new eligible beneficiaries to receive ration cards, she said.

The Delhi Government has implemented the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2026, giving effect to the provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. As part of the reforms, ration distribution has been modernised through extensive use of technology.

All ration card-related services, including fresh applications and addition or deletion of family members, have now been shifted online. Citizens can apply either from home or through nearby facilitation centres, she said.

According to the chief minister, these measures will make the system more transparent, accountable, technology-driven and beneficiary-focused, ensuring that food security benefits reach only eligible households.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)