Announcing the program, Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government would provide new white ration cards to 1.05 crore eligible beneficiaries, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that every eligible family in Telangana receives a ration card. 3 Min Read
The Telangana government will launch the distribution of 1.05 crore newly sanctioned laminated Smart Public Distribution System (PDS) ration cards across the State on August 15, coinciding with the 79th Independence Day celebrations.
Announcing the program, Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government would provide new white ration cards to 1.05 crore eligible beneficiaries, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that every eligible family in Telangana receives a ration card. According to an official memorandum issued by the Office of the Minister for Irrigation, Food and Civil Supplies, the state-level inaugural program will be held at Sangareddy, where Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will formally launch the distribution of the new ration cards. Simultaneously, similar distribution programs will be organized across all 119 Assembly constituencies, coordinated by the respective Revenue Divisional Officers (RDOs) with support from the district administration and the Civil Supplies Department. Speaking to News18, Robin Singh, Additional Director of the Civil Supplies Department, said, “All existing ration cards will be converted into smart cards. This includes both the old cards and the newly sanctioned ration cards.”
The newly designed ration cards will be issued in laminated PVC smart-card format, making them durable, waterproof and easy to carry. Designed in the size of a standard credit card, the smart cards will feature a QR code and advanced security features to prevent duplication and misuse.
As the Chief Minister will attend the ‘At Home’ reception at Raj Bhavan at 5.30 pm, the ration card distribution program has been scheduled between 2 pm and 4 pm on August 15. The government has directed all departments to complete preparations well in advance. Officials have been asked to finalize and verify constituency-wise beneficiary lists by expediting the e-KYC process, ensure timely transportation of ration cards, identify suitable venues with adequate public facilities, and make arrangements for registration, verification and orderly distribution.
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The memorandum also instructs officials to coordinate with local public representatives, District Collectors and other departments while ensuring adequate media coverage, photography and videography. Wide publicity has also been planned to maximise public participation. Sufficient staff will be deployed, and constituency-wise reports, including the number of cards distributed, photographs and brief proceedings, must be submitted immediately after the program. Describing the initiative as one of the government’s largest welfare programes, Uttam Kumar Reddy said it is aimed at strengthening food security and extending the benefits of the Public Distribution System to every eligible household in the State. He directed officials to accord the program top priority and ensure its smooth, efficient and dignified implementation. Current PDS network in Telangana
At present, Telangana has around 90.10 lakh ration cards, benefiting nearly 2.81 crore people under the Public Distribution System.
Every month, the State distributes approximately 1.48 lakh metric tonnes of rice, with each beneficiary receiving 6 kg of free rice. With the rollout of the 1.05 crore newly sanctioned smart ration cards, many newly eligible families will be brought under the PDS network, expanding food security coverage and increasing the number of beneficiaries as well as the quantity of rice distributed every month. First Published:
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Aug 6, 2026 9:16 PM
IST
Home India News Telangana to launch distribution of 1.05 crore smart PDS ration cards on Independence Day
