In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Ration Card is officially called a Family Identity Card (FIC) - a name unique to this Union Territory. The UT has 3 districts and hundreds of islands with an elaborate logistics system: 9 Principal Distribution Centres (PDC) have been set up on all major inhabited islands under the Hill Transport Subsidy Scheme of the Government of India. Food grains are delivered by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to these PDCs, from where Fair Price Shop owners lift the stock for distribution to cardholders. The rates are fixed by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and a marginal amount is charged to cardholders for transportation and handling. Another unique feature: Islander's Identity Card is accepted as valid photo identity proof for ration card applications - a document specific to permanent residents of Andaman. All services are managed by the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration.
- e-District Portal: edistrict.andamannicobar.gov.in - apply online for ration card, track status, download certificates
- AePDS Portal: epos.andamannicobar.gov.in - FPS distribution data, beneficiary details
- Civil Supplies Portal: andaman.gov.in/civil-supplies - department information, forms
- NFSA AN Page: nfsa.gov.in/State/AN
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Dept. of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, A&N Islands Administration |
| e-District Portal | edistrict.andamannicobar.gov.in |
| AePDS Portal | epos.andamannicobar.gov.in |
| Civil Supplies Portal | andaman.gov.in/civil-supplies |
| AePDS Portal | nfsa.gov.in/State/AN |
| e-Services Portal | andaman.gov.in/civil-supplies |
| Card Name | Family Identity Card (FIC) - not just "ration card" |
| Total Districts | 3 (South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, Nicobar) |
| Principal Distribution Centres | 9 PDC on major inhabited islands |
| PHH Entitlement | 5 kg per person per month at subsidised rates |
| AAY Entitlement | 35 kg per family per month at subsidised rates |
| Address | Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Port Blair, AN 744101 |
| Toll Free 1 | 1967 |
| Toll Free 2 | 1800-343-3197 |
| e-District Helpdesk | 03192-259027 / 03192-259028 |
| e-District Email | [email protected] |
| LG Email | [email protected] |
| Director Email | [email protected] |
Types of Ration Card (Family Identity Card)
| Type | Who Gets It | Monthly Entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) | Poorest of the poor - no stable income, landless labourers, fishermen with no assets, widows, elderly with no support | 35 kg food grains per family per month at subsidised rates plus marginal transportation charge |
| BPL (Below Poverty Line / PHH) | Families below the poverty line identified under NFSA criteria across all 3 districts | 5 kg per person per month at subsidised rates plus marginal transportation charge |
| APL (Above Poverty Line) | Families with income above the poverty threshold. Card serves as official Family Identity Card for banking, real estate, and government purposes. | Essential commodities at near-market rates. Card valid as identity and address proof. |
How PDS Works Across the Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands span hundreds of islands across the Bay of Bengal. Getting food to remote islands requires a dedicated logistics chain - this is unique to this UT:
- Food Corporation of India (FCI) delivers food grains to the 9 Principal Distribution Centres (PDC) established on major inhabited islands under the Hill Transport Subsidy Scheme
- FPS (Fair Price Shop) owners lift their stock from the nearest PDC based on the ration card strength in their area
- Rates are fixed by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration - a marginal transportation and handling charge is added to cover island logistics
- The department maintains buffer stock in all inhabited islands with dedicated supply godowns
- The department also monitors LPG and Kerosene oil distribution across the islands
Who Can Apply
- Must be a permanent resident (Islander) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Must not already hold a Family Identity Card anywhere in India
- Income and asset criteria based on card category (APL, BPL, AAY)
- Applicant must be the head of the family
- A self-declaration confirming no previous card exists must be submitted along with certification from Pradhan or Ward Councillor
- Applicants relocating from another state must present a surrender certificate or deletion certificate from their previous state
Documents You Need to Apply
- Aadhaar cards of all family members (mandatory)
- Self-Declaration and Certificate from Pradhan or Ward Councillor confirming residency and no previous card
- Photo Identity: Islander's Identity Card (unique to AN residents), OR Election Identity Card (Voter ID), OR PAN card, OR Driving Licence, OR Passport
- Proof of residence in Andaman and Nicobar Islands - electricity bill, water bill, or rent agreement
- Income certificate (for BPL and AAY categories)
- Three passport-size photographs of family members
- Details of any LPG connection
- Bank passbook details
- Mobile number and email ID
- Surrender or Deletion Certificate if relocating from another state
- Details of any earlier applications and rejections (if applicable)
How to Apply Online
- Go to edistrict.andamannicobar.gov.in.
- Click New Registration to create an account. Enter your details and follow the instructions.
- After registration, log in and navigate to the Civil Supplies department services.
- Select the ration card service and fill in all family member details, address, income, and LPG/kerosene details.
- Upload all required documents in the specified format and make the statutory fee payment if applicable.
- Submit. You will receive an Application Number via SMS to your registered mobile. Use it to track status on the same portal.
- Once approved, download the digitally signed certificate from the e-District portal using your application number.
How to Apply Offline
Applications can be submitted offline at the following offices based on where you live:
- Port Blair, Ferrargunj, Neil Island, Havelock Island residents: Directorate of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs office, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Port Blair 744101
- North and Middle Andaman residents: Sub-Divisional Civil Supplies office in your sub-division
- Nicobar district residents: Sub-Divisional Civil Supplies office in Car Nicobar or the nearest civil supplies office
- Download the New/Duplicate FIC application form from andaman.gov.in/civil-supplies.
- Fill the form completely with all family details.
- Get the Self-Declaration and Certificate signed by your Pradhan or Ward Councillor.
- Attach all required documents.
- Submit at the appropriate office for your island/area.
- Collect the acknowledgement receipt.
How to Check Ration Card Details
- Go to epos.andamannicobar.gov.in and enter your Ration Card number to see beneficiary details and transaction history.
- For NFSA RC details, go to nfsa.gov.in/RC-Details, enter your FIC number and district.
- Your complete Family Identity Card details are displayed including all members, card type, and linked FPS.
How to Check the FPS-Wise Ration Card List
- Go to epos.andamannicobar.gov.in.
- Select your district and FPS from the available options.
- The complete list of all Family Identity Card holders under that FPS is displayed.
How to Download Your Ration Card
Via DigiLocker
- Go to digilocker.gov.in or open the DigiLocker app.
- Log in with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Search for Ration Card and select issuer as Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Enter your FIC number and required details.
- Click Get Document to save your card in DigiLocker and download as PDF.
Aadhaar Seeding and ONORC
Aadhaar Seeding is mandatory for all family members listed on the FIC. In Andaman, many remote island residents - particularly in Nicobar and smaller islands - may face challenges with biometric authentication due to limited ePoS connectivity. For such areas, the Sub-Divisional Civil Supplies offices provide assisted Aadhaar seeding. Keep your Aadhaar mobile number updated to ensure OTP-based fallback authentication works when fingerprint fails.
Andaman residents working in mainland cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Bengaluru can collect their entitled ration at any FPS under ONORC. Similarly, mainland workers posted in Andaman on construction, naval, and infrastructure projects can collect their home state ration at Andaman FPS shops. Only Aadhaar authentication is needed.
How to File a Grievance
- Toll Free Helpline 1: 1967
- Toll Free Helpline 2: 1800-343-3197
- LG Office Email: [email protected]
- Director Civil Supplies Email: [email protected]
- e-District Portal: edistrict.andamannicobar.gov.in - track application status, respond to queries
- Helpdesk: 03192-259027 / 03192-259028
- Helpdesk Email: [email protected]
- DCSCA Office: Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744101
- NFSA Grievance: nfsa.gov.in/public/frmRegisterPublicGrievance.aspx
Official Portals and Useful Links
- Civil Supplies Andaman - andaman.gov.in/civil-supplies
- Apply for New Ration Card - nfsa.gov.in
- RC/FIC Details - nfsa.gov.in
- NFSA Andaman Page - nfsa.gov.in/State/AN
- Download Forms - andaman.gov.in/civil-supplies
- NFSA AN - nfsa.gov.in/State/AN
- NFSA Grievance - nfsa.gov.in
- Download FIC - DigiLocker
- Check Aadhaar Seeding Status - nfsa.gov.in
Toll Free: 1967 / 1800-343-3197
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Address: Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Port Blair, AN 744101
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Processes are subject to change by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration. Always refer to andaman.gov.in/civil-supplies for the latest official information.
Add new comment