New Delhi, March 17 As many as 41.41 lakh ineligible ration cards were deleted in 2025, with the highest number in Haryana, followed by Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, according to data presented to Parliament on Tuesday.
Approximately 13.43 lakh ineligible ration cards were deleted in Haryana, 6.05 lakh in Rajasthan, 5.97 lakh in Uttar Pradesh, 3.74 lakh in West Bengal, and 2.60 lakh in Madhya Pradesh, as per the data presented by Minister of State for Food, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, in the Rajya Sabha.
Bambhaniya stated in her written reply that, as a result of the use of technology in the Public Distribution System (PDS), all states and Union Territories have been able to eliminate ineligible ration cards in order to achieve accurate targeting.
A total of 41.41 lakh fake ration cards were deleted in 2025, compared to 48.85 lakh in 2024 and 41.99 lakh in 2023.
Under the ongoing reforms in the PDS, the ration card and beneficiary database have been completely digitized across all states/UTs.
Almost all fair price shops (FPS) in the country have been automated through the installation of electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices for the distribution of foodgrains.
Furthermore, 99.2 per cent of beneficiaries have been Aadhaar-seeded, and 98.75 per cent of foodgrain distribution is being carried out through digital authentication modes, including Aadhaar biometric and iris authentication.
"The digitization of the PDS aims to enhance efficiency and transparency to ensure accurate targeting of beneficiaries, and address challenges such as leakage and diversion of foodgrains," the minister added.