New Delhi, March 30: In a significant relief for ration card holders across the country, the central government has extended the deadline for completing the mandatory E-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) process to April 30, 2025. Earlier, the last date for completing E-KYC was set for March 31, but due to the large number of pending verifications, the government has granted an extension.

Government’s Directive to States

According to Jay Patil, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution, all states have been instructed to ensure the completion of the E-KYC process within the stipulated timeframe. “The states must expedite the verification process. Failure to do so may result in a reduction in the allocation of food grains,” Patil stated in an official communication to state governments.

The government has made E-KYC mandatory for ration card holders to prevent fraud, eliminate duplicate beneficiaries, and ensure that subsidized food grains reach the intended beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Why Is E-KYC Important?

The E-KYC process is crucial as it links ration cards with Aadhaar, enabling a more transparent and efficient public distribution system. With Aadhaar-linked ration cards, beneficiaries can also avail themselves of the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, which allows them to access subsidized food grains from any part of the country.

What Happens If E-KYC Is Not Done?

Ration card holders who fail to complete their E-KYC before April 30 may face disruptions in receiving subsidized food grains. The government has urged beneficiaries to visit their nearest ration shops, fair price shops (FPS), or Common Service Centers (CSC) to complete the process.

How to Complete E-KYC?

Beneficiaries can complete their E-KYC online through the official Public Distribution System (PDS) portal or offline by visiting their nearest ration shop. The process typically requires an Aadhaar number, a registered mobile number for OTP verification, and biometric authentication in some cases.

Final Reminder for Beneficiaries

With the extension granted, ration card holders now have a final opportunity to update their KYC details. The Ministry of Food and Public Distribution has emphasized that no further extensions will be provided, and beneficiaries must act promptly to avoid any inconvenience in receiving their entitled food grains.

For further information, beneficiaries can contact the PDS helpline number or visit their respective state’s food and civil supplies department website.

(Disclaimer: This article is based on official government notifications and public records. Readers are advised to verify details with their local authorities.)

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