Chandigarh is India's smallest Union Territory by area - just 114 sq km - yet it has a well-structured PDS system with 61 Fair Price Shops serving eligible cardholders. The Department of Food and Supplies was established in November 1966 when Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh were reorganised. Two things are critical to know in 2026. First, Chandigarh has moved to a DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) scheme for food grains - food subsidy is credited to beneficiaries' bank accounts instead of distribution of raw food grains. Second, the department has issued a strict eKYC deadline of June 30, 2026 - any Ration Card holder who does not complete biometric authentication by this date may have their food subsidy benefit suspended. The RCMS (Ration Card Management System) was implemented in Chandigarh in December 2022, replacing the older ePDS system. All services are under the Department of Food and Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology, UT Chandigarh.
- Food Dept Portal: chdfood.gov.in - department information, DBT scheme, RCMS
- Apply Online: epds.nic.in/CHD/epds - new ration card application
- AePDS Portal: epos.chd.gov.in - RC details, FPS list, beneficiary data
- State Portal: chandigarh.gov.in/food-supplies
- NFSA Chandigarh: nfsa.gov.in/State/CH
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Dept. of Food and Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology, UT Chandigarh |
| Food Dept Portal | chdfood.gov.in |
| Online Apply Portal | epds.nic.in/CHD/epds |
| AePDS Portal | epos.chd.gov.in |
| RCMS Implemented | December 2022 |
| Food Distribution Mode | DBT - food subsidy credited to bank account |
| eKYC Deadline | June 30, 2026 - mandatory or benefit suspended |
| Total Fair Price Shops | 61 |
| Area | 114 sq km, 1 district, 3 sub-divisions |
| Processing Fee (New Card) | Rs. 1 (non-refundable) |
| Processing Fee (Duplicate) | Rs. 5 (non-refundable) |
| Toll Free Helpline | 1800-180-2068 |
| Office Phone | 0172-2703956 |
| NFSA Email | [email protected] |
| NFSA Phone | 0172-2740740 |
| PDS Helpline | 1967 |
Types of Ration Card in the State
Chandigarh issues four categories of Ration Cards. Income limits are confirmed from the official Citizen Charter at chandigarh.gov.in:
| Type | Colour | Income Criteria | Entitlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| APL (Above Poverty Line) | White | Annual income above Rs. 1,00,000 | Essential commodities at near-market rates. Card valid as identity and address proof. |
| BPL (Below Poverty Line) | Yellow | Annual family income below Rs. 24,200 | 25 kg rice + 1 kg sugar per month at subsidised rates. Subsidy via DBT to bank account. |
| AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) | Yellow (AAY) | Poorest of the poor - disabled adult with no financial support, landless labourers, marginal farmers, artisans, widows, terminally ill persons, aged 65+ with no income | 35 kg food grains per family per month at lowest subsidised rates via DBT |
| Annapurna Yojana (AY) | Separate | Senior citizens 65+ not receiving pension, no means of livelihood, local farmers, landless labourers | 10 kg food grains free per month |
DBT Scheme - How Chandigarh Distributes Food Subsidy
Chandigarh has moved to a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model for food grain distribution. Instead of receiving physical food grains at a Fair Price Shop, eligible ration card holders receive the food subsidy amount directly in their Aadhaar-linked bank account. This is why Aadhaar seeding and bank account linking are critical in Chandigarh - without them, your subsidy cannot be transferred. The 61 Fair Price Shops in Chandigarh serve those who still collect physical commodities and also serve as eKYC and Aadhaar seeding points.
eKYC Deadline June 30, 2026 - Action Required
The Department of Food and Supplies, Chandigarh has made biometric eKYC mandatory for all registered ration card holders and their family members. The department issued an official notice confirming that any beneficiary who does not complete eKYC by June 30, 2026 will have their food subsidy benefit suspended until the process is completed.
How to complete eKYC:
- Visit a community centre or designated location in your area during the eKYC camps organised by the department. Camp timings are 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
- Visit your nearest Fair Price Shop - the department also conducts biometric authentication at FPS locations.
- Bring your Aadhaar card. Each family member must complete biometric authentication separately.
- For any queries: 1800-180-2068 or 0172-2703956
Who Can Apply
- Must be a permanent resident of Chandigarh UT
- Must not already hold a Ration Card anywhere in India
- Income criteria by card type - BPL below Rs.24,200, APL above Rs.1 lakh annually
- Any BPL/AAY card holder whose monthly income exceeds Rs.432.09 per family member must surrender and get an APL card instead
- Applicants from outside Chandigarh must present a Deletion Certificate from their previous state's food supply department
- Application form must be attested by the Area Councillor for urban residents and by the Village Sarpanch for rural residents
Documents You Need to Apply
- Aadhaar cards of all family members (mandatory for RCMS Aadhaar verification)
- Prescribed application form (Form-D) - filled completely with all family details
- Two passport-size group family photographs
- Affidavit duly specified and attested by Area Councillor (urban) or Village Sarpanch (rural)
- Income proof - salary slip, income certificate, or declaration
- Proof of residence in Chandigarh - electricity bill, water bill, or lease agreement
- Deletion Certificate from previous state if relocating from another state
- For duplicate card: FIR/DDR copy and prescribed affidavit
- Photo: GIF or JPG format, maximum 100 KB
- Enclosures: GIF, JPG, or PDF format, maximum 200 KB
How to Apply Online
- Go to epds.nic.in/CHD/epds.
- Fill the online application form with all required family details. All mandatory fields marked with * must be completed.
- Upload your scanned family photograph (GIF/JPG, max 100 KB) and required enclosures (GIF/JPG/PDF, max 200 KB).
- Submit the application online.
- Take a printout of the completed application form. Sign all pages of the application form along with Form-D.
- Submit the signed printout with all original documents at the Estate Office Building, 2nd Floor, Sector 17, Chandigarh (Tel: 0172-2700194).
Note: Online submission alone is not enough. The signed hard copy with documents must be physically submitted at Sector 17.
How to Apply Offline
- Visit the District Food and Supplies Office or the Estate Office Building, Sector 17, Chandigarh.
- Collect the prescribed application form.
- Fill completely with all family details and get it attested by Area Councillor (urban) or Sarpanch (rural).
- Submit with all required documents and pay the processing fee of Rs. 1.
- Collect the acknowledgement slip. Use it to track your application status online.
- Collect your ration card from the same office after processing.
How to Check Ration Card List and RC Details
- Go to epos.chd.gov.in (AePDS Chandigarh portal).
- Click on RC Details or Ration Card Search.
- Enter your Ration Card Number or search by FPS to see the complete beneficiary list.
For the national NFSA portal list check, you can also visit nfsa.gov.in/State/CH for Chandigarh-specific data including phone and email contacts.
How to Check Application Status
- Go to epds.nic.in/CHD/epds.
- Click on Others in the left menu.
- Select Search Your Ration Card Application.
- Select Ration Card Application for Other Requests.
- Enter your application number from the acknowledgement slip.
- Your current application status 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 Department of Food and Supplies, Chandigarh.
- Enter your ration card number and details.
- Click Get Document to save your e-ration card in DigiLocker.
Aadhaar Seeding and ONORC
Chandigarh has a highly mobile population - students and working professionals from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and UP who reside here temporarily. Aadhaar Seeding is critical not just for biometric distribution but because the DBT subsidy is credited directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account. If your Aadhaar mobile number is outdated or your bank account is not linked to Aadhaar, your food subsidy DBT will fail. The department is conducting community centre camps for eKYC - check community notice boards in your sector for camp dates.
Under ONORC, Chandigarh NFSA card holders who travel to other states for work or study can collect their entitled ration at any FPS across India. Migrant workers in Chandigarh from other states - particularly from Punjab, Haryana and UP - can similarly collect their home state ration at Chandigarh's 61 FPS shops using Aadhaar authentication.
How to File a Grievance
- Toll Free Helpline: 1800-180-2068
- Office Phone: 0172-2703956
- NFSA Phone: 0172-2740740
- NFSA Email: [email protected]
- PDS Helpline: 1967
- District Food and Supplies Officer (DFSO): Sh. Manoj Kumar - visit the District Food and Supplies Office, Sector 17, Chandigarh
- NFSA Central Grievance: nfsa.gov.in/public/frmRegisterPublicGrievance.aspx
Official Portals and Useful Links
- Food and Supplies Dept - chdfood.gov.in
- Apply Online and Check Status - epds.nic.in/CHD/epds
- AePDS Chandigarh - epos.chd.gov.in
- Chandigarh Food Supplies - chandigarh.gov.in
- NFSA Chandigarh - nfsa.gov.in/State/CH
- File NFSA Grievance - nfsa.gov.in
- Download Ration Card - DigiLocker
- Check Aadhaar Seeding Status - nfsa.gov.in
Toll Free: 1800-180-2068
Office: 0172-2703956
NFSA: 0172-2740740
PDS Helpline: 1967
Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Processes are subject to change by the Chandigarh Administration. Always refer to chdfood.gov.in for the latest official information.
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