On 22-7-2025, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution notified the Targeted Public Distribution System (‘TPDS’) (Control) Amendment Order, 2025 introducing digital verification reform aimed at enhancing transparency, minimizing misuse, and ensuring that food subsidies are delivered exclusively to genuinely eligible households. This Amendment came into force on 22-7-2025.
Key Points of TPDS (Control) Amendment Order, 2025:
- TPDS Amendment Order updates the Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2015 strengthening the framework for beneficiary verification and ration card issuance for better accountability in India’s food subsidy system.
- Clause 3 now mandates all eligible households for a mandatory e-KYC every 5 years, ensuring that records remain current and accurate.
- Restrictions are imposed on the issuance of separate ration cards to individuals under 18 years of age and will require the Aadhaar details of children under 5 years of age, with full e-KYC to be completed within a year after a child turns five.
- State Governments will temporarily disable ration cards that are unused for six months, introduced under Clause 4 to address misuse and inefficiency. A field-level verification and e-KYC will be conducted within 3 months to determine eligibility.
- Any beneficiary holding duplicate ration cards, within or across states, will be given a three-month window to revalidate their status through documentation and e-KYC.
- This Order introduces a First-In First-Out (FIFO) method for issuing new ration cards and requires states to publish real-time waiting lists on state web-portal.
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Few exceptions are made available for vulnerable groups with documented justification, aiming to modernize service delivery, eliminate ineligible beneficiaries, and ensure that food subsidies reach only those who truly qualify.
