Updated for 2026 · For Bihar residents. Confirm current steps on the official EPDS Bihar portal.
- Official portal: epds.bihar.gov.in (EPDS Bihar).
- Apply online via RC Online → Apply for Online RC (login: Meri Pehchaan).
- Documents: Aadhaar (all members), bank details, residence proof, photo, signature.
- Card types: PHH, AAY, NPHH.
- Add member and track status on the same portal.
What the Bihar ration card is
The ration card lets your family draw subsidised foodgrains from a Fair Price Shop under the National Food Security Act, and it also works as a widely-accepted address and family proof. Bihar's system is managed by the Food and Consumer Protection Department through EPDS Bihar (epds.bihar.gov.in), and — unlike some states — Bihar offers a direct online application for a new card.
Card types and eligibility
| Card type | For |
|---|---|
| AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) | The poorest households — highest entitlement |
| PHH (Priority Household) | Eligible below-limit families — standard NFSA entitlement |
| NPHH (Non-Priority Household) | Households not eligible for subsidised grain (card as ID/record) |
To qualify for a subsidised card, the household must be eligible under the NFSA and verified in SECC records. Your entitlement (how much grain, and at what rate) depends on the card type.
Documents you need
- Aadhaar of every family member
- Bank account details
- Residential proof (voter ID, electricity bill, etc.)
- Family photograph and the applicant's signature
- Income proof
How to apply online — step by step
- Go to epds.bihar.gov.in and open the RC Online section; click Apply for Online RC.
- Log in (or sign up) through Meri Pehchaan, the national single sign-on.
- Choose New Apply for a rural or urban card and enter the family details.
- Use Add Member for each family member and upload Aadhaar, bank details, residence proof, photo and signature.
- Submit; the application is verified before the card is issued.
How to add a member and check status
You can add a member (a newborn, spouse or other eligible person) during the application or later, by entering their details and Aadhaar and uploading documents; the change is verified before it's recorded. To follow your application, use Track Application Status on epds.bihar.gov.in. The portal also lets you check the district-wise ration card details / beneficiary list and download your RC once issued.
Common mistakes
- Aadhaar not seeded for a member — required for all members.
- Wrong rural/urban choice — pick the one matching your area.
- Duplicate card — a family can hold only one card.
- Not completing e-KYC where prompted — can block the card.
Ration card e-KYC — don't skip it
A point that catches many families out: the government periodically runs e-KYC drives requiring every member on the ration card to complete Aadhaar-based biometric verification, often at the Fair Price Shop. If a member's e-KYC isn't done by the deadline, their name can be removed from the card and the family's entitlement reduced. So when applying — and each year afterwards — make sure every member's Aadhaar is seeded and e-KYC completed. You can check the e-KYC status of your card on EPDS Bihar, and it's the single most common reason a genuine beneficiary suddenly stops receiving grain.
Updating or correcting your card
Life changes, and the EPDS portal lets you keep the card current: add a newborn or spouse, remove a member who has died or married out, change your address if you move within Bihar, or correct a wrong name or Aadhaar. Each change is verified before it's recorded. Keeping the card accurate isn't just tidiness — an out-of-date card (a deceased member still listed, or a missing new member) causes problems during verification drives and can hold up your monthly entitlement, so a quick yearly check is worth it.
Related Bihar guides
See our Bihar guides on the income certificate, the caste certificate, and the residence certificate. The ration card is accepted as address proof for many of these.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a Bihar ration card online?
On epds.bihar.gov.in → RC Online → Apply for Online RC, log in via Meri Pehchaan, New Apply, add members, upload documents, submit.
What documents are needed?
Aadhaar of all members, bank details, residence proof, family photo, signature and income proof.
How do I add a member?
Use Add Member on EPDS, enter Aadhaar and details, upload documents; it's verified before recording.
What are the card types?
PHH, AAY and NPHH — your entitlement depends on the type.
About ComplyKraft. Built by Dinesh Kumar S in Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT. Plain-language guides to Indian government services.
Disclaimer: Informational guide, updated 2026. Ration-card rules and processes are set by the Government of Bihar and can change — confirm at epds.bihar.gov.in.