The Delhi government has stated that a man will be considered the head of the household only if there is no adult woman in the family. The maximum income for the card has been raised to ₹1.2 lakh.
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Ration Card Rules: The Delhi government has changed the rules related to ration cards. The criteria for issuing ration cards, from annual income to the number of cards, have been changed. Under the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2026, the oldest female member of a family will be considered the head of the family for issuing ration cards. These rules were recently notified. However, if the only female member of the family is under 18 years of age, the oldest male member will be considered the head.
According to the gazette notification, the number of ration cards that can be issued in Delhi will be distributed in each district according to the total number of voters. This means that districts with more voters will have a proportionately higher number of ration cards. It states that while this system is currently based on voter numbers, once the census results are officially released, the distribution of ration cards will be based on census data rather than voter numbers.
Annual Income Criteria Changed
Under rules notified by the Delhi government’s Food Supply and Consumer Affairs Department, the income criteria for issuing ration cards has been increased from ₹100,000 per annum to ₹1.200,000 per annum. Furthermore, grievance redressal and vigilance mechanisms have been institutionalized through various committees at the district, ward, and fair price shop levels within the Public Distribution System (PDS). A new ration card requires an income certificate from the Delhi Revenue Department. However, obtaining one is easy. You can apply from home using your phone or laptop.
District-Level Committee to Consider New Applications
Ration card applications will be considered by a committee formed at the district level. The District Magistrate (DM) or Additional District Magistrate (ADM) will chair this committee, with two local MLAs as members. Ration cards will not be issued to families who own a building or land in A-E category colonies in Delhi, pay income tax, own a four-wheeler, have a government employee as a family member, or have an electricity connection of more than two kilowatts. The notification states that the relevant MPs will be members of district-level vigilance committees, and the relevant MLAs will be members of block-level committees. These committees will also include representatives of ration card holder groups.
These people will not receive new ration cards:
- Those whose family’s annual income exceeds ₹1.2 lakh
- Those with a family member who owns property
- Those who pay income tax
- If someone in the family owns a private four-wheeler, including a taxi or other vehicle for earning a living, they will be exempt.
- If a connection exceeds two kilowatts, they will not receive a card.
- Government employees will also not receive a new ration card.
- If the government already provides any food subsidy, they will not receive a new card.
