The Khadya Sathi Scheme (Khadya Sathi) is an initiative of the Food & Supplies Department, Government of West Bengal, aimed at providing highly subsidised rice and wheat to eligible families. As per the latest guidelines of 2025, beneficiaries receive either ₹1 or ₹2 per kilogram of rice (subject to card category) through their ration card at designated Fair Price Shops (FPS).
However, beneficiaries frequently relocate within the State—whether due to employment, education, or personal reasons. In such instances, it is imperative to change address in ration card to:
- Continue availing subsidised food grains without disruption.
- Ensure that the card remains valid in the new jurisdiction.
- Update records to prevent any discrepancies during biometric or Aadhaar-based authentication at FPS.
Importance of Change Address in Ration Card
For many families in West Bengal, especially those under the Khadya Sathi Scheme, a ration card is more than just a document — it’s the gateway to essential food supplies. If you do not change address in ration card after relocating, it can create several complications:
- You may not be able to receive subsidised food grains at your new address.
- Your ration benefits could be temporarily stopped due to address mismatches during official verifications.
- The outdated address might be misused, or it could result in duplication of records in the system.
To ensure your access to benefits remains smooth and uninterrupted, it’s important to keep your address details up to date in the Food and Supplies Department’s database. Timely updates help avoid administrative delays and keep your entitlements secure.
Eligibility to Change Address in Ration Card
Any beneficiary under the Khadya Sathi Scheme 2025 who has moved from one place to another within West Bengal is eligible to apply for a change address in ration card. Specific scenarios include:
- Migration from one block/municipality to another within the State.
- Shifting from rural (Panchayat) to urban (Municipal Corporation) areas or vice versa.
- Changes in household details that necessitate updating the head of household’s residential address.
Note: Ration cards issued outside West Bengal (e.g., from other States) are not covered under the Khadya Sathi Scheme. Those beneficiaries must first obtain a valid West Bengal ration card before applying for an address change.
Documents Required FOR change address in ration card ONLINE / OFFLINE
Before initiating the application to change address in ration card, the beneficiary must gather the following documents:
- Original Ration Card: The existing Khadya Sathi ration card with the old address.
- Proof of New Address (one of the following):
- Latest Electricity/Water Bill.
- Municipal Tax Receipt or Town Panchayat tax receipt.
- Rent Agreement registered with Sub-Registrar.
- Bank Passbook (showing updated address).
- Aadhaar card with updated address (if applicable).
- Identity Proof of Head of Household (any one):
- Aadhaar Card.
- Voter ID (EPIC).
- PAN Card (for all-aged members if required).
- Photographs: Two passport-size photographs of the head of the household.
- Application Form: Prescribed Form 3C (for WPDS) or the digital equivalent on the Khadya Sathi portal.
- Self-declaration: A signed statement declaring that the beneficiary has genuinely shifted residence and that no duplicate facilities will be availed.
- Important Note for Online Applicants:
- If you’re updating the change address in ration card online, make sure that:
- Your Aadhaar card is linked with your mobile number.
- There is no biometric lock enabled on your Aadhaar.
This is essential because the online process requires OTP verification and sometimes biometric eKYC, which won’t work if these conditions aren’t met.
How to Change Address in Ration Card Online – WBPDS 2025 (via Form 5 & 6)
The Department of Food and Supplies, West Bengal, allows ration cardholders to update their address online through the WBPDS portal. Follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
- Open your browser and go to:
https://wbpds.wb.gov.in/rcmsnew/AadhaarAuthenticationLogin/Index
Step 2: Aadhaar-Based Login
- Enter your Aadhaar number.
- Click “Send OTP”.
- Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Submit the form to log in.
Step 3: Access the Dashboard
- After successful login, you will land on the Dashboard page.
- Here, you will see multiple forms including Form 4, Form 5 & 6, Form 7, and Form 8.
Step 4: Select “Form 5 & 6”
- To change the address in ration card, click on “Form 5 & 6” (the blue box).
- This form is used for:
- Updating beneficiary details.
- Changing address.
- Changing Fair Price Shop (FPS).
Step 5: Fill Out the Address Change Application
- Select the family member or head of household.
- Enter the new address details.
- Upload the following required documents:
- Proof of new address (electricity bill, rent agreement, etc.).
- Existing ration card copy.
- Identity proof (Aadhaar/Voter ID).
- Passport-size photo of head of household.
Step 6: Review and Submit
- Check all the entered details carefully.
- Click Submit.
- The system will generate an Application Reference Number (ARN).
Step 7: Track Application Status
- Return to the WBPDS portal homepage.
- Click on “Track Application Status”.
- Enter the ARN to check the progress (Pending, Verified, Approved, or Rejected).
Important Tips
- Ensure your Aadhaar is linked with your mobile number.
- Remove any biometric lock on your Aadhaar before starting the process.
- Use Form 5 & 6 only for address/FPS changes, not for adding new family members.
Offline Process to Change Address in Ration Card
For beneficiaries who do not have easy internet access or prefer face-to-face interaction, the offline method remains available. The steps to change address in ration card offline are as follows:
- Obtain the Application Form
- Visit the nearest Food & Supplies Department (F&SD) office or the local Fair Price Shop (FPS).
- Request Form 3C (WPDS) for rural areas or Form 2D (for urban areas) designated for address change.
- Complete the Form
- Clearly fill in the details in BLOCK LETTERS using a black or blue pen:
- Ration card number, cardholder’s name, head of household.
- Old address (as per existing ration card).
- New address (with pin code, municipality/panchayat name).
- Reason for address change (with relevant date of shifting).
- List of family members (as on existing ration card).
- Affix two recent passport-size photographs of the head of household.
- Clearly fill in the details in BLOCK LETTERS using a black or blue pen:
- Attach Supporting Documents
- Self-attested photocopies of:
- Existing ration card (all pages).
- Aadhaar card (of head of household and other family members).
- Proof of new address (electricity bill / rental agreement / bank passbook).
- Identity proof (Aadhaar, EPIC, or Voter ID).
- Original documents must be shown for verification and will be returned immediately.
- Self-attested photocopies of:
- Submit the Application
- Submit the duly filled form and supporting documents to the designated officer at F&SD office or Block / Municipality office.
- Obtain an acknowledgement slip with a Tracking Number.
- Verification and Processing
- The Food & Supplies Inspector (FSI) or Block Supply Officer will conduct a door-to-door verification to confirm the new address.
- The process may take up to 15 working days, subject to verification schedules and document completeness.
- Collect Acknowledgement / Token
- The beneficiary receives a Token / Acknowledgement with the date on which the updated ration card can be collected from the F&SD office or FPS.
Verification, Approval, and Updating Records
Once the application to change address in ration card is submitted (online or offline), the following steps take place:
- Field Verification:
- A designated Food & Supplies Inspector visits the new address.
- Verifies household structure, family members, and cross-checks with the application.
- Data Entry:
- Upon satisfactory verification, the Verifying Officer updates the beneficiary’s details in the State’s Centralized Ration Card Management System (CRCMS).
- Approval:
- The District Controller, Food & Supplies (DCFS) reviews the file.
- If all documents are in order and verification is successful, final approval is granted.
- Generation of New Ration Card:
- A fresh Khadya Sathi ration card reflecting the new address is generated.
- The old ration card is automatically deactivated to prevent duplication.
- SMS/Email Intimation (Online Applicants):
- An SMS/email is sent to the registered mobile number/e-mail ID upon approval.
- Contains details of when and where to collect the updated ration card.
Here’s a unique version of your text on how to check ration card application status on the WBPDS portal:
How to Track Your Ration Card Application Status on the WBPDS Website
To find out the current status of your ration card application, visit the official West Bengal Public Distribution System (WBPDS) portal at the following link:
https://wbpds.wb.gov.in/rcmsnew/Citizen/CheckApplicationStatus
Follow these steps to check your application status:
- Select Search Type:
Choose either Aadhaar Number or Mobile Number from the dropdown menu. - If You Choose Aadhaar Number:
- Ensure your Aadhaar is linked to your active mobile number for receiving the OTP.
- The Aadhaar should correspond to a family member listed on the ration card.
- Confirm that the biometric authentication on your Aadhaar is not locked.
- Consent:
Check the box confirming your consent:
“I hereby give my consent to login through Aadhaar.” - Input Details:
Enter the Aadhaar or mobile number, depending on your selected option, and click the Search button. - View Status:
After successful verification via OTP, the portal will display the current status of your application—whether it is under process, approved, or rejected.
If you encounter errors or a rejection message, verify your Aadhaar linkage and biometric status, then try again.
This secure, OTP-based method follows government guidelines to safeguard your personal data while providing real-time updates on your ration card application.
Read More: Khadya Sathi Scheme.
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