Ration Card: An extremely important warning has been issued for ration card holders in Bihar, requiring all beneficiaries to complete their e-KYC verification by February 28, 2026. According to information released by the Food and Consumer Protection Department, approximately 52.22 lakh ineligible people have been removed from the ration card list in Bihar so far due to numerous discrepancies discovered during data verification.

Currently, the administration is working to purify all 6.74 crore beneficiaries in the state so that the benefits of free grain under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana reach only genuine and eligible individuals. If all family members do not complete their verification within the stipulated timeframe, their names will be permanently removed from the ration card, and they will stop receiving rations in the future.

How to complete e-KYC

The government has made this process completely free, and you can complete it offline or online as per your convenience.

1. At the ration shop (offline method)

Take your Aadhaar card and ration card to the nearest Public Distribution System (PDS) shop in your area. The dealer will verify you using biometrics (fingerprint or iris scan) on the e-POS machine.

2. From home (online method)

If you’re out of state or don’t want to visit the shop, you can use your smartphone. Download the ‘Mera eKYC’ and ‘Aadhaar FaceRD’ apps from the Google Play Store. Enter your Aadhaar number in the app, verify via OTP, and then scan your face in front of the camera (Face Authentication). When the circle on the screen turns green, your process will be considered successful.

Why is e-KYC important

Bihar currently has over 21 million ration cards. The government aims to make data transparent and remove fake or duplicate names that no longer exist or do not meet the eligibility criteria. Through e-KYC, it is being ensured that direct benefits of government schemes reach only those poor families who are truly eligible.

This process has also brought relief to those living in states outside Bihar, as they can also undergo biometric verification at their local PDS shop (except in some states like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal).

Helpline for Technical Support and Complaints

If a ration card holder faces any technical issues during the e-KYC process or a shopkeeper demands money for this free service, the department has issued toll-free numbers for immediate assistance. Beneficiaries can register their complaints by calling 1800-3456-194, 14445, or 1967.

Those who verify digitally can also check the status of their family members after logging into the app. An e-KYC status of ‘Y’ indicates that your e-KYC has been completed. Be vigilant and complete your digital KYC within the deadline to ensure your family’s ration is safe.

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