The Government of Andhra Pradesh provides seven types of rice card services to ensure food security for its citizens.
Recently, the state has also introduced smart ration cards with QR codes to make the distribution of rice and essential commodities more transparent and efficient.
However, in some cases, families or individuals who are otherwise eligible may lose access to their rice cards due to reasons like technical errors, migration, changes in family status, or mismatched records.
If your rice card has been deleted, suspended, or canceled, this guide will help you understand the common reasons behind it and explain step-by-step how to reactivate a deleted rice card in Andhra Pradesh.
How to Check if My Rice Card is Active or Not in Andhra Pradesh?
You can check the status of your rice card (ration card) online through the official EPDS status link. Enter your rice card number or ration card number to proceed.
The system will display whether your card is Active or Inactive, along with details of all family members linked to the card and their eKYC status.
If you notice any mistakes or missing members or not received new smart rice card, you will need to submit a correction request to activate a deleted rice card online. Follow the steps mentioned in the next section to complete reactivation.
Rice Card Cancellation Due to Ineligible Household Members
In Andhra Pradesh, the government verifies household data to ensure only eligible families receive a rice card.
If even one ineligible person is found in the household records, the entire family’s rice card will be canceled.
Common Reasons a Member Is Marked Ineligible
- Their income has increased above the prescribed government limit.
- They have acquired significant assets (e.g., land, vehicle, business) that affect eligibility.
- They are employed in government service or are paying income tax.
What to Do If Your Rice Card Was Deleted
When such cases are detected, the household’s ration card will be canceled.
To restore benefits, the ineligible member must be removed from the household data as per government rules.
After this correction, the remaining eligible family members can apply for a new rice card and continue receiving ration benefits.
Rice Card Cancellation in Andhra Pradesh Due to Migration
In Andhra Pradesh, many families migrate to other states or countries in search of better employment opportunities.
When they move away, they need to surrender their State-issued PDS card, since ration benefits are directly linked to their place of residence.
If the family or individual later returns to the same area, they cannot simply reactivate the old card. Instead, they must apply for a new rice card by submitting the required documents and updating their household details at the local Grama/Ward Sachivalayam.
This process ensures that their name is included again in the Public Distribution System (PDS) records so they can continue receiving government ration benefits.
Family Member Changes in Rice Cards
In Andhra Pradesh, citizens have the option to update their family details in the rice card.
If a family member has permanently moved to another state or country due to marriage, employment, or education, their name can be removed from the rice card to keep the PDS data accurate.
Later, if the same member returns to Andhra Pradesh, they can be added back to the family’s rice card using the official “Member Addition” option available at the local Grama/Ward Sachivalayam.
This facility ensures that the rice card always reflects the current household composition, allowing eligible members to continue receiving benefits under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
eKYC Issues in Rice Cards
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has recently made eKYC mandatory for all members listed on ration cards.
If eKYC is not completed, the family’s ration supply will be suspended until the process is done. This is one of the common reasons why a rice card gets temporarily deactivated.
To resolve this issue, beneficiaries must visit their nearest ration depot dealer or Grama/Ward Sachivalayam to complete the eKYC process.
Once it is successfully updated, the member’s name will be reactivated in the rice card, and ration benefits will continue without interruption.
Rice Card Suspension Due to Temporary Migration
In Andhra Pradesh, some families or individuals migrate temporarily to other regions for seasonal jobs, contract work, or other employment opportunities. During this period, they may not collect their monthly ration.
If a rice card is not used for six consecutive months, the government system automatically places it in a suspended or held status. This is a common reason why many rice cards appear inactive after temporary migration.
To reactivate it, the cardholder must visit the Mandal Tehsildar Office and request reactivation by submitting the necessary details.
Once approved, the rice card will be activated again, allowing the family to continue receiving ration benefits under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Wrong Aadhaar Seeding in Rice Card
One common issue faced by beneficiaries in Andhra Pradesh is wrong Aadhaar seeding in their rice card.
This happens when an Aadhaar number is incorrectly linked to a family member’s rice card record, or if the Aadhaar details do not match with the government database.
Due to this mismatch, the member may not be able to access ration benefits. In some cases, the rice card may even get flagged as invalid.
Solution:
To resolve this issue, the cardholder should visit the nearest Grama/Ward Sachivalayam and request Aadhaar correction.
They will need to submit valid Aadhaar proof and rice card details.
Once the Aadhaar is correctly seeded and verified in the system, the rice card will be updated, and ration benefits will be restored for the concerned member.
Wrong Death Mark in Rice Cards
In Andhra Pradesh, some families face the issue of a wrong death mark in their rice cards.
This usually happens when, while removing a deceased member, an active person is mistakenly marked as dead due to an Aadhaar mismatch.
Instead of the deceased member’s Aadhaar, the system sometimes shows the Aadhaar of a living person. Without proper verification, that person gets removed from the PDS data.
If this happens, the solution is to contact the District Supply Officer (DSO) at the Civil Supplies Department at District headquarters.
The officer will issue an E-series number, which can be used at the Grama/Ward Sachivalayam to complete eKYC verification.
After this process, the wrongly removed member will be restored to live status, and their ration benefits will resume.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to Find Wrong Aadhaar Seeding in Rice Card?
Biometric Authentication Failure
- At Fair Price Shops (ration depots), beneficiaries authenticate using fingerprints or iris scans.
- If Aadhaar is wrongly seeded, the system rejects the authentication, and you cannot collect ration supplies.
Loss of Welfare Schemes
Many welfare schemes in Andhra Pradesh are Aadhaar-linked.
If your Aadhaar is wrongly seeded, you may lose access to pensions, subsidies, or other welfare benefits apart from ration.
Can I check the rice card active status offline?
Yes, you can check offline by visiting your Fair Price Shop (ration shop) or local PDS office. The dealer can verify whether your card is active in the government records.
How long does it take for a rice card to become active or corrected after applying?
The processing time depends on the issue. See the table below for the timelines of new applications, corrections, and reactivations.
| Issue | Process | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Household | Apply New Card | 21 days |
| Surrender | ||
| Migrate Member | Addition | 21 days |
| Ekyc Pending | Go to Dealer | 1 day |
| Suspension | Reactivation | 1 day |
| Wrong Aadhaar | Aadhaar correction | 21 days |
| Death mark mistake | Take eKYC | 1 day |
Conclusion
Reactivating a deleted or suspended rice card in Andhra Pradesh depends on correctly identifying the reason for deactivation and following the prescribed resolution process.
Common issues include household eligibility checks, migration-related cancellations, incomplete eKYC, Aadhaar mismatches, or administrative errors such as wrong death marks, each with a clear pathway to restoration.
Beneficiaries should first verify their card status online, then approach the appropriate authority: the local Grama/Ward Sachivalayam for most corrections, the Mandal Tehsildar Office for suspension reactivation, or the District Supply Officer for complex cases like death mark corrections.
Since processing times vary from same-day fixes for eKYC updates to around 21 days for new applications or corrections, planning ensures uninterrupted access to ration benefits.