Public Distribution System (PDS) is run under the National Food Security Act 2013. Every state operates ration cards under its own Targeted PDS Control Order. Deletion of a card or member without a written order and a hearing is illegal. An RTI under Section 6 of the RTI Act 2005 to the District Supply Officer (DSO) and the Food and Civil Supplies Department, asking for the deletion order, Aadhaar seeding log, FPS register entries and the DSO file, normally restores entitlement within 30 days.
Use this guide if (a) your card is suddenly “not in list” at the FPS; (b) a family member's name has been dropped; © you want the Aadhaar seeding log; (d) the FPS dealer is short-supplying food grain or charging extra; (e) AAY (Antyodaya) status was lost; (f) PMGKAY entitlement was missed.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly directed states to maintain transparent, hearing-based processes before deletion (eg Swaraj Abhiyan v Union of India (2016)), and many High Courts have set aside deletions made without notice under Section 9 of NFSA read with Article 14.
To, The Public Information Officer, Office of the District Supply Officer / Department of Food and Civil Supplies, [District / State] [Full address] Subject: RTI under Section 6 regarding ration card no. [number], FPS code [number], family head [Name] Sir / Madam, I, [Full name], a citizen of India, holder / member of ration card no. [number], request the following under the RTI Act 2005. Fee of Rs. 10 paid online / by IPO. For the family card no. [number], FPS code [number], with members [list]: 1. Present status of the card (active / suspended / cancelled / deleted) as on the date of receipt. 2. Copy of any deletion order, suspension order or hold-flag entry, with date and signatory. 3. Reason recorded in writing for the deletion / suspension, citing rule and Section. 4. Copy of the show-cause notice issued to me under NFSA Section 9 / state Control Order, with proof of dispatch. 5. Aadhaar seeding log for each member (date, mode of authentication, success / failure status). 6. FPS register entries for each month from [date] to [date], showing entitlement against actual offtake. 7. DSO inspection register entry for the FPS for the said period. 8. Whether the FPS dealer has been issued any show-cause / penalty for short supply. 9. Status of my representation dated [DD/MM/YYYY], if any, including ticket number and present custodian. 10. Standard Operating Procedure for deletion / suspension under your latest Control Order. I invoke Section 10 (severability) and Section 6(3) (transfer to right office). I undertake to pay further fee under Section 7(3). Yours faithfully, [Signature, name, date]
No. NFSA Section 9 and most state Control Orders require notice and an opportunity to be heard before deletion.
No. Per-member entitlement is fixed. The FPS register and the e-PoS log are the proof.
One Nation One Ration Card lets you draw your entitlement at any FPS in India. If your local FPS is hostile, you can use ONORC at another shop in the same district while you fight the deletion.
Ask the DSO via RTI for the live entitlement file and the e-PoS log. If your card is active there, the FPS is at fault.
Yes, but only after a death certificate is recorded and a deletion order is issued.
Generally no. Most states require physical RTI to the state authority and the DSO.
Yes, it is your own record, fully disclosable.
Last reviewed: 9 May 2026.