Jharkhand is one of the few states in India with a unique state-funded ration card called the Green Card - issued under the Jharkhand State Food Security Scheme (JSFSS) to families not covered under the central NFSA list. AAY Ration Card cardholders here receive 35 kg food grains at just Re. 1 per kg - one of the lowest rates in the country. The state has a large tribal and migrant worker population and its PDS system runs through two official portals: aahar.jharkhand.gov.in for ration card list and download, and jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in for new applications, corrections, and status check.
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Department of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Govt. of Jharkhand |
| Aahar Portal (List and Download) | aahar.jharkhand.gov.in |
| JSFSS Portal (Application and Status) | jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in |
| Application Status Check | jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in/ercmsSearch |
| Monthly Entitlement (PHH) | 5 kg per person per month |
| Monthly Entitlement (AAY) | 35 kg per family per month |
| Toll Free Helpline 1 | 1800-212-5512 (Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM) |
| Toll Free Helpline 2 | 1967 |
Types of Ration Card in the State
Jharkhand issues four types of ration cards under NFSA and its state food security scheme (JSFSS):
| Type | Who Gets It | Monthly Entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) | Poorest of the poor - widows, disabled heads, primitive tribal groups, no stable income (annual income below Rs. 15,000) | 35 kg per family per month (21 kg rice + 14 kg wheat) at Re. 1 per kg |
| PHH (Priority Household) | BPL families identified under NFSA criteria and state inclusion criteria | 5 kg per person per month |
| Green Card (JSFSS) | Families not covered under central NFSA list but eligible for state food security - elderly, widows, economically weaker sections not in PHH | 5 kg rice per person at Re. 1 per kg - funded by Jharkhand state government |
| White Card (APL) | Families above the poverty line - no food subsidy but card serves as identity and address proof | No food subsidy |
The Green Card is unique to Jharkhand. It is issued under the Jharkhand State Food Security Scheme (JSFSS) to families who fall outside the central NFSA list but still need food support. No other state has this equivalent card.
Who Can Apply
- Must be a permanent resident of Jharkhand
- Must be at least 18 years old to apply as head of family
- The family must not already hold a valid ration card anywhere in India
- Holders of expired or temporary ration cards can apply for a new card
- Newly married couples without a ration card can apply
- Annual income and eligibility criteria set by Jharkhand government apply for PHH and AAY categories
- Families with government jobs or high income may be excluded from subsidised categories
Documents You Need to Apply
- Aadhaar cards of all family members (mandatory)
- Proof of residence in Jharkhand - electricity bill, water bill, or rent agreement
- Income certificate (for PHH, AAY, and Green Card categories)
- Passport-size photographs of the head of household
- Mobile number linked to Aadhaar for OTP verification
- For newly married spouse addition: marriage certificate
- For newborn addition: birth certificate
- Declaration that no other ration card has been issued to the family
How to Apply for New Ration Card Online
Jharkhand provides online registration through the JSFSS portal. However the application must be completed in two stages - online registration and offline document submission at the BSO office.
- Go to jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in.
- Click on Online Service from the navigation menu.
- Select Online Application.
- Read the instructions and click Proceed.
- Select Apply for New Ration Card and click Proceed.
- Enter your mobile number and verify via OTP.
- Fill in the ERCMS Registration Form with complete details:
- Applicant name in English and Hindi
- Father’s name, gender, date of birth
- Aadhaar number, mobile number
- Card type (AAY/PHH/Green Card)
- District, Block, Panchayat, Village
- Complete address
- Add all family members with their individual Aadhaar numbers.
- Upload a digital copy of your Aadhaar card and required documents.
- Tick the consent box and click Register to submit.
- Note down the Acknowledgement Number displayed after submission. This is important for tracking and for the next step.
- Important: Take a printout of the completed online application form and submit it along with your original documents at your nearest Block Supply Officer (BSO) or District Supply Officer (DSO) office. Collect a receipt as proof.
After BSO/DSO review and field verification, your ration card is issued. The process typically takes up to 15 days after document submission.
How to Check Application Status
- Go to jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in and look for Check Status in ERCMS.
- Enter your Ration Card Number or Acknowledgement Number.
- Enter the last 8 digits of the Aadhaar number of the head of the family in the password field.
- Submit to view the current status of your application.
If you lose your acknowledgement number, visit your nearest Block Supply Office (BSO) with your Aadhaar card for assistance.
How to Check the Ration Card List
The monthly eligibility list (Patra Suchi) shows all current active ration card holders:
- Go to aahar.jharkhand.gov.in.
- Click on Beneficiary Card Details (लाभुक के कार्ड की जानकारी) from the navigation menu.
- Select Eligibility List (Monthly) (पात्रता सूचि मासिक).
- Select your District, Block, Dealer, Card Type, Month, and Year.
- Enter the captcha code and click Submit.
- The complete list of active ration card holders for that FPS dealer is displayed.
To view your individual ration card details, select Ration Card Details (राशन कार्ड विवरण), choose your district and block, enter your ration card number and captcha, and click Submit.
How to Download Your Ration Card
Via Aahar Jharkhand Portal
- Go to aahar.jharkhand.gov.in.
- Click Ration Card Details from the menu.
- Select your district and block, enter your ration card number and captcha.
- Click Submit. Your ration card details are displayed.
- Click Download to save the ration card as a PDF.
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 the issuer as Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Jharkhand.
- Enter your ration card number and required details.
- Click Get Document. Your ration card is saved in DigiLocker Issued Documents.
How to Add or Remove a Family Member
- Go to jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in.
- Click Online Service and select Online Application.
- Click Already Registered and log in using your Ration Card Number and the Aadhaar number of the head of family.
- Select Add Member or Remove Member from the dashboard.
- Fill in the required details and upload supporting documents (birth certificate for newborn, marriage certificate for spouse, death certificate for removal).
- Click Send Request. On the confirmation page click OK to get an acknowledgement number.
- Important: Print the completed form and submit it at your BSO office with original documents. Collect a receipt.
How to Make Corrections in Ration Card
- Online corrections (address, mobile number): Go to jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in, log in with Ration Card number and Aadhaar, select the error type, make the correction, enter OTP, and submit. Print and submit to BSO office.
- Name corrections: Cannot be done online. Visit your nearest DSO office with supporting documents (Aadhaar, school certificate, etc.) for name correction in the ration card.
How to Link Aadhaar
Aadhaar seeding is mandatory for all members to continue receiving ration. In Jharkhand, it is done at the Fair Price Shop through the AePDS system:
- Visit your designated Fair Price Shop with Aadhaar cards of all family members and your ration card
- Ask the FPS dealer to do Aadhaar seeding on the ePoS device
- Each member provides their fingerprint biometric for authentication
- A confirmation SMS is sent to your registered mobile number
For the complete guide:Ration Card e-KYC: How to Complete Online and at Fair Price Shop
Using Your Card in Another State (ONORC)
Jharkhand NFSA ration card holders can collect their food grain entitlement from any Fair Price Shop anywhere in India under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme. Jharkhand has a large migrant worker population working in Delhi, Punjab, and Maharashtra - this scheme allows them to collect ration where they work. Only your Aadhaar number is needed at the FPS.
For complete details: One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Complete Guide.
How to File a Grievance
- Online Complaint: Go to aahar.jharkhand.gov.in, click Online Services and select the complaint option
- Toll Free Helpline 1: 1800-212-5512 (Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM)
- Toll Free Helpline 2: 1967
- Block Supply Officer (BSO): Visit your local BSO office with your ration card and complaint details
- District Supply Officer (DSO): Visit DSO office - directory available at aahar.jharkhand.gov.in
Official Portals and Useful Links
- Aahar Jharkhand Portal - aahar.jharkhand.gov.in (List, details, download)
- JSFSS Portal - jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in (Apply, corrections, member updates)
- Check Application Status - jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in
- Download Ration Card - DigiLocker
- Check Aadhaar Seeding Status - nfsa.gov.in
Helpline: 1800-212-5512 (Monday-Saturday, 10 AM-5 PM)
PDS Toll Free: 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. Eligibility criteria and processes are subject to change by the Jharkhand Government. Always refer to aahar.jharkhand.gov.in and jsfss.jharkhand.gov.in for the latest official information.
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