J&K among top states in One Nation One Ration Card usage

Mansoor Peer
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25 Apr 2026

Records over 51 lakh portability transactions • 1 million duplicate entries removed • 2.21 lakh AAY households get free food grains • 31.79 lakh NPHH beneficiaries get subsidised rates

Srinagar, Apr 24: Jammu and Kashmir has emerged among the top-performing regions in the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, recording over 51 lakh portability transactions, thereby strengthening transparency and efficiency in the Public Distribution System (PDS).

According to the Economic Survey Report 2025-26, J&K has implemented the ONORC scheme across the Union Territory. Since its inception, 3.035 lakh inter-state and 48.291 lakh intra-state transactions have been completed up to November 2025, positioning J&K among front-runners nationally in terms of ONORC usage.

"To enhance the credibility, transparency and convenience of the PDS, the Government has undertaken major reforms and technology interventions, including a de-duplication drive that removed over one million duplicate entries from the system," the report states.

Under its expansion coverage, around 8 lakh genuine households have been added since September 2022, ensuring that eligible beneficiaries have access to essential commodities. The government continues to leverage technology and policy reforms to strengthen food security, improve consumer welfare, and promote socio-economic development across the region.

The report mentions that the government is making efforts to enhance distribution networks, monitor price stability, and implement consumer protection measures to uphold rights and address food insecurity. Subsidised food grains are provided to maintain affordability, while strict market regulation and grievance redressal safeguard consumers.

The report states that free food grains are provided to 2,21,249 households under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category, while 58,74,520 beneficiaries under the Priority Household (PHH) category receive food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Additional top-up provisions of up to 10 kg per month are provided to PHH beneficiaries under the Prime Minister's Food Supplementation for Priority Households scheme at a subsidised rate of Rs 25 per kg. Further, 31,79,963 beneficiaries under the Non-Priority Household (NPHH) category are provided food grains at highly subsidised rates.

The report also states that the government has initiated the provision of an additional 5 kg of food grains per family, free of cost, under the State Antyodaya Anna Yojana (SAAY) to all eligible AAY beneficiaries from April 2025, aiming to further strengthen food security for the most vulnerable sections of society.