Ration Card Rules 2026: Ration card holders are worried! Free gas cylinder and ‘special kit’ announced, big update on e-KYC also

New Delhi. Ration card is still the biggest and important government document for economically weak and poor families in India. In the year 2026, the Central and State Governments have made many major changes in the rules for ration card holders, under which now the beneficiaries are going to get many new and wonderful benefits along with wheat and rice. If you also have a ration card, then these new rules and benefits can make your life easier. Let us know what new gifts the ration card holders are going to get this year and what conditions have been set for it. Big decision of the Central Government: Free ration will continue. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the government has taken an important decision to continue the facility of free or subsidized wheat and rice to poor families for a certain period. Families having valid ration cards will continue to get food grains from government ration shops every month. Along with this, pulses and other additional food items are also being provided free or at very low prices in some states. Crores of families included in the BPL (BPL), Antyodaya (AAY) and NFSA lists will get its direct benefit. The gift of free gas cylinder on Holi and Diwali. The biggest good news for ration card holders in the year 2026 is LPG gas cylinder. Recently, Delhi Government has made a special announcement under which all valid ration card holders will be given one free LPG gas cylinder on the auspicious occasion of Holi and Diwali. The benefits of this scheme will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), in which an amount of approximately Rs 853 will be transferred per cylinder. Although at present this scheme is for Delhi, but soon other states can also make such announcements. ‘Meri Rasoi Yojana’ for 40 lakh families in Punjab. Many state governments are also bringing new schemes at their level with the aim of providing additional nutrition to the ration card holders. In this series, the Punjab government has announced to start ‘Meri Rasoi Yojana’, which will benefit about 40 lakh families of the state. Under this scheme starting from April 2026, beneficiaries will also be given a free food kit in addition to NFSA ration. This special kit will include 2 kg urad or moong dal, sugar, salt, mustard oil and turmeric powder. The government is strict on e-KYC, otherwise the ration will be stopped. Amidst all these benefits, the government has also implemented a strict rule. In the year 2026, it has been made mandatory for all ration card holders to complete their e-KYC. The government has clearly warned that any beneficiary who does not get his e-KYC done, his ration card will be deactivated. If this happens, that family will be completely deprived of government quota of grains and all other facilities. Therefore, without any delay, go to the ration dealer and get the e-KYC of yourself and all your family members updated. Know the main conditions to avail the benefits of these schemes. To avail the benefits of these wonderful schemes of the government, it is necessary for you to be a Below Poverty Line (BPL) or Antyodaya (AAY) card holder. Also your name should be included in the list of NFSA. To get money for these facilities directly into your bank account, it is mandatory for your bank account to be linked to DBT. The most important thing is that your ration card should be completely valid and registered in the government system.