The Government of India has decided to make major changes in the rules of ration card and gas cylinder since 15 May 2025. These changes will affect crores of families, especially the poor, middle class and migrant laborers. The main objective of the government is to make government schemes more transparent, digital and beneficial, so that the right beneficiaries directly benefit and the system can be reduced.
With the implementation of these new rules, some necessary conditions have to be fulfilled to avail the schemes related to ration cards and gas cylinders. Now every beneficiary will have to undergo Aadhaar Linking, E-KYC, and digital process. This will not only stop corruption, but will also make service distribution faster and easier. Let us know, in the completion of these 5 new rules, eligibility, documents, benefits and effects of these 5 new rules, which come into force from May 15, in easy language.
5 new rules of Ration Card and Gas Cylinder to be implemented from 15 May 2025
Below is a brief overview of these changes in the table:
| Name/rule of the scheme | Details/new conditions |
| Applied date | 15 May 2025 |
| Base linking | Essential for both ration card and gas |
| OTT | Compulsory for all beneficiaries |
| Digital ration card | All cards in digital format |
| Gas subsidy rules | Direct subsidy through DBT |
| Smart gas cylinder | Applied in Phase, tracking system |
| Ration card eligibility | Income limit and annual verification |
| Only applied | Ration card portability across the country |
15 May New Rules for Ration Card and Gas Cylinder: What is the change?
The main objective of the new rules implemented by the government since 15 May 2025 is to become ration cards and gas cylinders schemes transparent, safe and digital. Now every beneficiary will have to fulfill some necessary conditions, such as Aadhaar linking, e-kyc, digital card, and changes in gas booking. Read in detail below:
1. Digital Ration Card
Now all ration cards will be in digital format. This means that you will get your information on the mobile or online portal instead of the physical card. This will prevent fake cards, duplicate entry and corruption. Ration distribution will also be fast and transparent.
Benefits:
- Transparent distribution
- Out of fake beneficiary system
- Online information facility
2. Aadhaar Linking Mandatory
It is necessary to link both ration card and gas connection to Aadhaar. No one will get the benefit of any scheme without Aadhaar linking. This will allow fake beneficiaries to be excluded from the system and will benefit the right person.
Important things:
- It is mandatory to link the base of all family members
- Card or subsidy may be suspended if not linking
- Go to the nearest PDS center or online portal for Aadhaar Linking
3. E-KYC Process (E-KYC Process)
Ration card holders and gas consumers are required to have E-KYC. It is difficult to get benefits without it. E-Kyc will confirm identity and eligibility. You have to go to your nearest ration dealer or gas agency and get E-KYC done.
Benefits of e-Kyc:
- Identification of the right beneficiary
- Ban on fraud and duplicate cards
- Improvement in digital records
4. Changes in Gas Cylinder subsidy and booking (LPG Subsidy & Booking Changes)
Now the rules of booking and subsidy of gas cylinders have changed. The subsidy will directly come to your bank account through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). KYC and OTP verification will be necessary for booking. A family will get a maximum of 2 cylinders per month and 15 cylinders annually.
| Category | Subsidy amount/rules |
| Bpl family | ₹ 300/Cylinder (Aadhaar Link required) |
| Middle class | ₹ 200/Cylinder (Income less than ₹ 8 lakh) |
| High income group | No subsidy (Income more than ₹ 10 lakh) |
| Booking limit | 2 cylinders/month, 15 cylinders/year |
| Delivery | KYC and OTP Verification required |
5. Smart Gas Cylinder
Now smart cylinders will be launched in Phase, which will have digital chip, leakage detection and tempora-proof features. First of all they will meet in urban areas and will be implemented across the country by December 2025.
Benefits of Smart Cylinder:
- Cylinder tracking easy
- Prohibition on leakage and tampering
- Consumer alert immediately
Other important changes and rules
Ration card eligibility and verification
Now Annual Verification is necessary every year. Ration card will be available according to the income limit:
| Area | Annual income limit | special discount |
| Rural | ₹ 1.20 million | Widow, senior citizen |
| urban | ₹ 1.5 million | Divyang |
| Metro city | 1.5 million | Case by-case |
One Nation One Ration Card (Onorak) Sana
Now Onorc is fully implemented. This means that you can take ration from any fair price shop (FPS) in any part of the country. This will benefit the migrant laborers and urban poor the most.
The main features of ONORC:
- Ration portability across the country
- Real-time transaction tracking
- Biometric verification
Who will be the most impact? (Who will be most affected?)
- Who does not have a base link
- Whose E-KYC is pending
- Whose income is more than limit
- Those who have not been using cards for a long time
- Migrant laborers and urban poor
All these will have to get the necessary updates done at the earliest, otherwise the benefits of ration or gas can be stopped.
Required documents
- Aadhaar Card (Aadhaar Card)
- Ration Card
- Gas connection book/ID
- Bank passbook (for DBT)
- Mobile number (for OTP Verification)
- Income Proof (Income Proof)
Benefits of New Rules applicable from May 15
- Ban on corruption: Digital and Aadhaar linking will remove fake beneficiaries.
- Transparency: Every transaction will have a digital record.
- Digital facilities: facilities like online card, mobile otp, smart cylinder.
- Benefits till real benefit: Only eligible families will get the benefit of the scheme.
- Relief to migrant laborers: Ration will be available anywhere from Onorc.
Challenges and precautions
- Villagers and the elderly may face problems in the digital process.
- Profit can stop when there is a disturbance in Aadhaar or E-Kyc.
- If not updated on time, the card may be suspended or deleted.
- It is necessary to keep the mobile number updated, otherwise the OTP verification can cause problems.
Necessary Action Points related to May 15
- Get the linking of Aadhaar and ration cards done immediately.
- Keep E-KYC and mobile number updates.
- Keep income proof and other documents ready.
- Seek information from time to time from the ration dealer or gas agency.
- If there is a problem in the digital process, seek assistance in the nearest CSC or government camp.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q1: Will you get ration without Aadhaar linking?
No, now Aadhaar linking is necessary. There will be no benefit of ration or gas without linking.
Q2: How to get E-KYC done?
You can get E-KYC done by visiting your nearest ration dealer, gas agency or CSC center.
Q3: What is a smart cylinder?
The smart cylinder will have a digital chip, leakage detection and tracking system. This will increase safety and transparency.
Q4: What is Onork?
With one nation one ration card scheme, you can take ration in any part of the country.
Conclusion
The changes in the rules of ration cards and gas cylinders since 15 May 2025 are to make the country’s government schemes more transparent, digital and beneficial. If you want to take advantage of these schemes, then get Aadhaar linking, E-KYC and other necessary updates on time. This will not only give you the direct benefit of the schemes, but will also reduce the fraud in the system.
Disclaimer:
This information is based on government announcements and media reports. If a separate rule or date is applicable in your state or district, confirm your nearest ration dealer, gas agency or government portal. Be sure to read the government guideline before updating any document or information. Changes in schemes can be done from time to time, so keep an eye on government notifications for new information. The purpose of this article is only to give information, please take official information before any decision.
