The Bihar government has issued a strict deadline for all ration card holders in the state. According to the latest directive from the Department of Food and Consumer Protection, every beneficiary listed on a ration card must complete their e-KYC verification by March 31, 2026. Officials have stated that this is the final opportunity, and no further extensions are expected. Failure to complete this process will lead to immediate consequences regarding food security benefits.
What happens if verification is missed by the deadline?
The state government aims to ensure 100% Aadhaar seeding to identify and remove fake or deceased beneficiaries from the system. If a family or any specific member fails to complete the e-KYC process by the March 31 cutoff, their share of subsidized food grains will be suspended starting April 1, 2026.
It is important to note that the ration card serves as a foundational document for various other welfare schemes. If a name is deleted from the Ration Card Management System due to non-verification, the beneficiary might also lose access to benefits under Ayushman Bharat and PM Awas Yojana. The department has identified approximately 1.5 crore people who are yet to complete this mandatory step.
How to complete the process and rules for migrants
Beneficiaries can visit their nearest Fair Price Shop (PDS dealer) to complete the verification using biometric authentication on the e-PoS machine. The government has also introduced a Facial e-KYC facility for those who face issues with fingerprints or cannot visit the shop. The entire process is free of cost for the public.
A significant relief has been provided for residents of Bihar who are working in other states. Under the One Nation One Ration Card scheme, migrants do not need to return to their villages. They can visit any PDS shop across India to complete their biometric verification. Special Secretary Upendra Kumar has directed officials to accelerate the process in districts with slow progress like Vaishali and Siwan.
