Assam Ration Card: Apply, RCMS List & NFSA Guide

Assam has over 56 lakh NFSA Ration Card covering more than 2 crore beneficiaries across all districts. If you live in Assam and are applying for a ration card for the first time, two things are unique to this state. First, the eldest adult female member of the family must apply - not any male member, unless there is no adult female in the household. Second, you need a Non-possession Certificate from your Gaon Panchayat or Village Head confirming your family does not already hold a ration card anywhere. There is currently no working online application portal for new ration cards in Assam - all applications are submitted offline at the Circle Office. Your Assam NFSA Ration Card is also the primary document required for eligibility under the Orunodoi scheme (Rs. 1,250 per month to eligible women).

• FCS&CA Portal: fcsca.assam.gov.in - apply, ration card information, FPS list
• RCMS Portal: rcms.assam.gov.in - ration card details, list, Aadhaar seeding status
• AePDS Portal: epos.assam.gov.in - FPS distribution status, ePoS data
• PDS Assam: pds.assam.gov.in - ration card information and district-wise list

Key Details at a Glance

Types of Ration Card in the State

After NFSA implementation in December 2015, Assam replaced all earlier ration card types (APL, BPL, AAY, and MMASY Family Identity Cards) with only two categories:

Before NFSA (pre-December 2015): Assam had APL, BPL, AAY, and MMASY (Mukhya Mantrir Anna Suraksha Yojana) cards issued as Family Identity Cards (FIC). All were replaced with the two NFSA categories in 2015.

Who Can Apply

• Must be a permanent resident of Assam
• Annual family income must be below Rs. 4 lakh per year
• The family must not already hold a ration card anywhere in India
• The eldest adult female member must apply as the head of family. If no adult female member exists, the eldest adult male may apply.
• Government officials or employees transferred from another place can apply with a Surrender Certificate from their previous FCS&CA authority
• Newly married couples can apply after getting a deletion certificate from their parents’ ration cards
• Families whose ration card is lost or damaged can apply for a duplicate card

Documents You Need to Apply

• Non-possession Certificate from Village Head, Gaon Panchayat President, Ward Commissioner, or Inspector FCS&CA - confirming no ration card exists for the family. The applicant must first file an affidavit before this certificate is issued.
• Aadhaar cards of all family members (mandatory)
• Voter ID as proof of name matching the voter list
• Address proof - PAN card, Driving Licence, Bank Passbook, Post Office Passbook, Municipal Holding receipt, Electricity Bill, or Telephone Bill
• Birth certificates of all minor family members
• Land revenue or tax payment receipt (if applicable)
• Passport-size photographs of the head of household
• Mobile number linked to Aadhaar
• For marriage addition: No Objection Certificate from Head of Family of Parental Ration Card (attested copies) + proof of date of birth
• For transferred persons: Surrender Certificate from previous FCS&CA authority

How to Apply (Offline Only)

There is currently no working online portal for new ration card applications in Assam. All applications are submitted in person:

1. First obtain the Non-possession Certificate from your Gaon Panchayat or Village Head. File the required affidavit with them before requesting this certificate.
2. Collect the ration card application form from your nearest Circle Office or FCS&CA Sub-Division Office. You can also access application forms on fcsca.assam.gov.in under the Apply for Ration Card section.
3. Fill the form carefully. The eldest adult female member must be named as the head of family (HoFN).
4. Attach all required documents.
5. Submit the completed form and documents at the FCS&CA authority of your District or Sub-Division.
6. Collect the receipt with your acknowledgement number. Keep it safe for follow-up.
7. A field verification visit will be conducted by an officer. After approval, your name appears on the RCMS portal within 2 to 3 weeks.

How to Check Ration Card Details on RCMS

The RCMS portal at rcms.assam.gov.in shows your ration card details without any login - just your district, block, and village. Here you can check:

• Whether your card is Active, Suspended, or Cancelled
• All family members listed on the card
• Whether each member’s Aadhaar is seeded and verified
• Your assigned Fair Price Shop details
• Your card category (AAY or PHH)

Steps:

1. Go to rcms.assam.gov.in.
2. Click Ration Card from the main menu.
3. Select Ration Card Details.
4. Enter the captcha and click Verify.
5. Select your District, DFSO, TFSO, FPS, Scheme, Status and click View Report.
6. Your ration card details are displayed.

How to Check Application Status

There is no online application status tracker in Assam. To check status:

• Visit the Circle Office or FCS&CA District Office where you submitted your application. Bring your acknowledgement number.
• Once approved, your name appears on the RCMS portal at rcms.assam.gov.in within 2 to 3 weeks of approval. Check there to confirm.
• Common reason for delay: name mismatch between application form and Aadhaar. If your application is stuck, visit the Circle Office to check if a correction is pending.

How to Download Your Ration Card

Via DigiLocker

1. Go to digilocker.gov.in or open the DigiLocker app.
2. Log in with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
3. Search for Ration Card and select issuer as Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Assam.
4. Enter your ration card number and required details.
5. Click Get Document. Your Assam ration card is saved in DigiLocker Issued Documents and can be downloaded as PDF.

Via RCMS Portal

1. Go to rcms.assam.gov.in.
2. Select your district, block, village, and FPS to locate your ration card entry.
3. View your details and use the print or download option available on the page.

How to Add a Family Member

All member additions are processed offline:

• For a newborn: Submit a plain paper application addressed to the FCS&CA authority of your district or sub-division. Attach the birth certificate of the child along with your existing ration card.
• For a newly married spouse: A deletion certificate from the previous place of residence (issued by the FCS&CA authority there) must be attached along with the marriage certificate and ration card.
• For inclusion of additional members: A No Objection Certificate from the Head of Family of the Parental Ration Card is required (attested copies) along with proof of date of birth.

Submit at your nearest Circle Office or FCS&CA Sub-Division Office and collect the acknowledgement receipt.

How to Link Aadhaar

Aadhaar seeding is mandatory for all members to receive ration in Assam. The AePDS system at epos.assam.gov.in manages all FPS biometric distribution data. Assam has a large tea garden population in districts like Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, and Jorhat where fingerprints can sometimes be worn from manual work - OTP-based authentication is available as an alternative.

• Visit your designated Fair Price Shop with Aadhaar cards of all family members
• Each member provides fingerprint biometric on the ePoS device
• If fingerprint fails, OTP on Aadhaar-linked mobile is used
• Check Aadhaar seeding status on rcms.assam.gov.in under your ration card details

For the complete guide: How to Link Ration Card with Aadhaar Card.

Ration Card and the Orunodoi Scheme

This is something many Assam families are unaware of until it is too late. The Orunodoi scheme (Rs. 1,250 per month to eligible women) requires a valid NFSA Ration Card as the primary eligibility proof. When the government conducts Orunodoi surveys and renewal checks, it cross-references the RCMS portal to confirm:

• Whether the household has an active, non-suspended ration card
• Whether the card is AAY or PHH category
• Whether Aadhaar of all members is seeded

If your ration card is suspended or your Aadhaar is not linked, your Orunodoi payment may stop. Check your status on rcms.assam.gov.in immediately if your Orunodoi payment has stopped.

Using Your Card in Another State (ONORC)

Assam has a large working population in states like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Kerala - including tea industry workers, construction labourers, and domestic workers. Under the ONORC Scheme, Assam NFSA ration card holders can collect their entitled rice at any Fair Price Shop in any state. Coming back to Assam during festivals? You can collect ration at your home FPS using the same Aadhaar. No paperwork, no transfer needed. Only Aadhaar authentication is required at the FPS.

For complete details: One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Complete Guide.

How to File a Grievance

• Toll Free Helpline: 1800-3453-611
• PDS Helpline: 1967
• Online on FCS&CA Portal: fcsca.assam.gov.in - use the grievance or public grievance redressal option
• Circle Office: Visit your local Circle Office during office hours with your ration card and complaint details
• District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission: Available in all 23 district commissions across Assam (8 independent, 15 part-time)

Official Portals and Useful Links

• FCS&CA Assam - fcsca.assam.gov.in (Apply, ration card information, FPS list)
• RCMS Assam - rcms.assam.gov.in (RC details, list, Aadhaar status, active/suspended check)
• AePDS Assam - epos.assam.gov.in (FPS distribution status, ePoS data)
• PDS Assam - pds.assam.gov.in (RC information, district-wise list)
• Download Ration Card - DigiLocker
• Check Aadhaar Seeding Status - nfsa.gov.in

Toll Free Helpline: 1800-3453-611
PDS Helpline: 1967

Also read:
Ration Card in India - Complete Guide (2026)
How to Link Aadhaar with Ration Card
One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) - Complete Guide

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Processes are subject to change by the Assam Government. Always refer to fcsca.assam.gov.in for the latest official information.