Delhi's Bold Move: Revocation of Over 45,000 Ration Cards for PDS Revamp

In a significant move toward enhancing the public distribution system (PDS), the Delhi government has revoked more than 45,000 ration cards over the past 14 months. This decision is part of efforts to weed out bogus beneficiaries and streamline subsidized food distribution in the city.

The Department of Food, Supplies, and Consumer Affairs confirmed that 45,212 ration cards were scrapped between January 2025 and February 2026, as revealed in a recent RTI response. Officials noted that while artificial intelligence (AI) is not yet utilized to detect ineligible beneficiaries, plans are underway to adopt this technology in the near future.

Currently, Delhi maintains 15,48,410 active ration cards, serving nearly 73 lakh residents through around 2,000 fair price shops. As part of ongoing reforms, the government has announced the issuance of two lakh fresh ration cards, aligning with their commitment to improve the effectiveness and reach of the PDS.