Ration card beneficiaries in Jharkhand need to pay attention to an important update. The state government is preparing to temporarily deactivate ration cards of beneficiaries who have not collected food grains from Public Distribution System (PDS) shops for the last six months.
According to the update, such cardholders have been given time until September 21 to collect their pending ration. Those who collect their ration by the deadline will not have their cards deactivated.
From October 1, ration cards belonging to beneficiaries who continue to remain inactive may be temporarily deactivated. Once a card is deactivated, the beneficiary will not be able to collect food grains through the PDS system until the required process is completed.
Jharkhand Government Preparing to Issue Notification
The Jharkhand government is expected to issue an official notification regarding the action against inactive or “silent” ration cardholders. The move is aimed at ensuring that ration benefits reach genuine and active beneficiaries.
Cardholders who have not taken ration for six consecutive months are being identified under this process. They have been given an opportunity to collect their ration before September 21 to avoid temporary deactivation from October 1.
Beneficiaries who are affected by the decision should therefore check their ration records and complete the required process within the specified period.
Who Are Called “Silent Cardholders”?
The term “silent cardholders” refers to people who have ration cards but have not been collecting food grains from PDS shops for an extended period.
According to the information provided, some people obtained ration cards mainly to access benefits linked to schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and the Maiya Samman Yojana, while they did not regularly collect their ration from PDS outlets.
Authorities are preparing to identify such inactive beneficiaries and take action against cards that remain unused. The process is also intended to remove inactive or potentially ineligible beneficiaries from the system.
e-KYC Will Also Be Required
The Centre has issued a gazette notification concerning the temporary deactivation of such inactive ration cards. Under the process, beneficiaries will also have to complete their e-KYC within the prescribed period.
Earlier, a central notification issued in July 2025 directed state governments to temporarily deactivate ration cards of people who had not collected ration from PDS shops for six months.
However, affected beneficiaries will have an opportunity to complete their e-KYC after the temporary deactivation process begins. The stated window will run from October 1 to January 1, 2027, during which eligible beneficiaries can complete e-KYC through field approval.
Cardholders who fall into this category should keep their ration card details updated and complete the required verification within the given period to avoid continued disruption in ration benefits.
Disclaimer
This article is intended only for general information. Ration card rules, verification requirements, deadlines and government procedures may change based on official decisions. Beneficiaries should check the latest notification issued by the Jharkhand government or the concerned food and civil supplies department before taking any action.