Kerala asks Centre to extend e‑KYC deadline for ration cards

Kerala asks the Centre for more time on ration‑card e‑KYC

The Kerala government has formally written to Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi asking for a three‑month extension to the e‑KYC verification deadline for National Food Security Act (NFSA) ration cards. The request also seeks permission to keep cards that have been idle for six consecutive months in the state’s tide‑over (non‑priority) category until their eligibility can be re‑checked.

Why the extension matters

Under the Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Amendment Order, 2025, any NFSA card that remains unused for six months is slated for temporary disabling, after which the holder has three months to complete e‑KYC or face permanent cancellation. Kerala argues that inactivity alone does not prove ineligibility; many households may miss collections due to migration, health issues or temporary hardship. By deferring cancellations, the state hopes to avoid unintentionally cutting off genuine beneficiaries.

Numbers the state is dealing with

• Priority cards inactive for six months: 44,279 (5,370 Antyodaya Anna Yojana, 38,909 Priority Household)
• Non‑priority cards inactive for six months: 5,62,494

These families already receive food grains through the state’s tide‑over arrangement using Aadhaar‑linked biometric authentication, and the minister says the same mechanism could apply to the NFSA cards if the Centre grants flexibility.

What the state proposes

Kerala wants the Centre to:1. Extend the e‑KYC completion window by three months.2. Allow disabled NFSA cards to be temporarily retained under the tide‑over category.3. Use a first‑in‑first‑out waiting list to fill any vacancies that may arise later.

If approved, beneficiaries whose cards are temporarily shifted could still obtain food grains on demand, subject to Aadhaar‑based biometric verification, and would have their NFSA status restored after field verification confirms eligibility.

Looking ahead

The letter, signed by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob, underscores the state’s emphasis on inclusive food‑security delivery, especially during emergencies such as the COVID‑19 lockdown when even relatively affluent families relied on fair‑price shops. The Centre’s response will determine whether Kerala can maintain its tide‑over approach and ensure that no eligible household loses entitlements while verification is pending.