AP New Ration Cards Apply Without Marriage Certificate | AP New Ration Cards Apply Now

The Andhra Pradesh State Government continues to take proactive steps to make public welfare services more accessible and citizen-friendly. One of the important services is the issuance and updating of ration cards, especially the rice card, which enables eligible families to avail subsidized food grains and other essential commodities under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

In response to the numerous complaints and difficulties faced by citizens, the government recently introduced two major reforms in the ration card application and verification process:

Removing the requirement of a mandatory marriage certificate to add a spouse
Revamping of e-KYC system facing technical issues

These changes are expected to benefit lakhs of families across Andhra Pradesh and ensure faster and smoother access to ration benefits.

1. A marriage certificate is no longer required to include a spouse in a rice card.

Previously, to add a new family member to the ration card through marriage, the applicant had to submit a marriage certificate and a marriage photograph. This provision was introduced as a precautionary measure to ensure accurate documentation and to prevent duplication or misuse of services. However, it inadvertently created a hurdle for many genuine beneficiaries.

In many rural and semi-urban areas, couples often marry through traditional ceremonies and may not register their marriages at the sub-registrar’s office. Obtaining a marriage certificate involves paperwork, visits to government offices, and sometimes costs that low-income families find difficult to afford.

Due to these challenges, a significant number of applicants were unable to update their ration cards and include their spouses, resulting in delays or even denial of ration benefits.

Considering this public inconvenience, the Andhra Pradesh Government has now abolished the requirement of marriage certificates and marriage photos while adding a spouse in the ration card. This policy amendment has been implemented in the online application system, which has been updated to reflect the change.

New procedure for adding a spouse:

No marriage certificate or wedding photo required
Applicants can select the relationship as “spouse” when updating or applying for a new Rice Card.
Verification is done by the village or ward secretariat staff based on current documentation such as Aadhaar or other family member details .

This reform will greatly benefit newly married couples and women moving to a new home after marriage. It will remove a major bottleneck in the system and promote inclusive access to food security programs.

2. e-KYC system restored after technical glitches

The second major challenge faced by ration card applicants recently is related to e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) verification, which is mandatory for all ration card beneficiaries. The process involves biometric authentication using Aadhaar to confirm the identity of each family member listed on the card.

Village and ward secretariat employees use a government-approved mobile app to conduct this e-KYC. However, for the past few weeks, the system has been facing technical server issues, causing the app to crash or fail to verify biometrics properly. This has led to significant delays in processing rice card applications, frustrating many eligible families.

The government has taken quick action to resolve this issue. As of now, the e-KYC servers have been restored and the verification process is working smoothly and without any interruptions.

Steps for applicants to complete e-KYC:

Visit the village or ward secretariat office nearest you .
Provide your application reference number or Aadhaar details.
Perform biometric verification using the fingerprint scanner.
Once e-KYC is completed, your application will move to the next stage of approval.

Who is exempted from e-KYC?

Senior citizens above 80 years of age
Infants and children under one year old

These exemptions have been made keeping in mind the practical challenges of biometric scanning for these age groups.

Application status can now be checked online

The government has made it easier to track the status of ration card applications. Applicants can check their status online through the AP Seva Portal at https://vswsonline.ap.gov.in .

How to check application status:

Go to the official website.
In the “Check Service Request Status” section, enter your application number or reference number .
Enter the captcha code shown on the screen .
Click Submit to view your status and estimated processing time .

This system provides transparency and allows applicants to provide information without having to visit government offices multiple times.

Smart ration cards will be issued

As part of its modernization efforts, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced that it will soon issue new smart ration cards . These will be compact and durable like a driving license and will include:

QR code for quick data access
Family head’s photo and name on the front
Names of all family members on the back

Highlights:

Cards are distributed free of charge.
Existing beneficiaries do not need to apply again; they can collect new smart cards from the village or ward secretariat.
These cards are designed to improve convenience at ration shops and government service centers.

WhatsApp rule for ration card services

To make services more accessible, the state has launched WhatsApp Governance through the Manamitra platform . Citizens can now send a message to 95523 00009 to avail the following services:

Apply for a new rice card
Add or remove family members
Make corrections or updates to existing cards
Request status updates or help

This digital service reduces the dependence on physical visits and empowers citizens to manage their ration card needs directly from their mobile phones.

Apply Link

Conclusion: A people-centered approach

With the removal of the mandatory requirement of marriage certificate, resolution of technical issues in the e-KYC system, and introduction of new smart ration cards and WhatsApp-based services, the Andhra Pradesh government is proving its commitment to citizen-centric governance.

These reforms will significantly improve the ration card experience for millions of families, ensuring that no eligible individual is left behind in accessing vital food and welfare benefits.