The Indian government has established March 31, 2025, as the deadline for ration card holders to complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) verification. The initiative aims to enhance transparency and prevent misuse in the Public Distribution System (PDS) by verifying beneficiaries’ identities through their Aadhaar cards, building upon India’s robust digital identity infrastructure that has already helped save an estimated $40 billion through fraud prevention.
The e-KYC process involves digitally linking ration card holders’ Aadhaar cards to their ration cards, helping eliminate fraudulent or duplicate beneficiaries from the PDS system. The verification ensures continued access to subsidized food grains while streamlining distribution through accurate beneficiary identification. The initiative follows the recent launch of India’s Aadhaar Governance Portal, which has modernized the authentication request process for government services.
Beneficiaries can complete the e-KYC process through both online and offline channels. The online method requires visiting the state’s PDS website, accessing the e-KYC section, and providing necessary details including the ration card number, Aadhaar number, and completing mobile verification through OTP authentication. The digital verification approach supports India’s broader efforts to digitalize public services, including the recent implementation of mandatory Aadhaar verification for new SIM cards.
For those unable to access online services, offline verification is available at local ration card offices or Common Service Centers (CSCs). The process requires presenting original documentation and completing biometric verification through fingerprint or iris scanning. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has recently enhanced these verification capabilities through partnerships with AI companies to implement advanced authentication solutions.
The implementation of e-KYC represents a significant step in India’s ongoing digitalization of public services, building upon the Aadhaar identification system’s integration into government benefit programs. The system helps maintain accurate beneficiary records while ensuring efficient distribution of subsidized food grains, complementing other digital initiatives like the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) program.
Authorities have emphasized that failure to complete the e-KYC process by the March 31, 2025 deadline may result in beneficiaries losing access to subsidized food grains under the PDS program. The verification requirement applies to all ration card holders currently receiving benefits through the system, supporting India’s broader mission to create a comprehensive and secure digital identity ecosystem.
Sources: News18, Republic World, Updi.in
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