APL to BPL Ration Card | Complete Guide 2026

Topic: Ration Card Category Change Applies to: All States in India Updated: June 2026

Your family income dropped. You now qualify for BPL. But your ration card still says APL. That one category difference costs you food grain subsidies, welfare scheme access, and priority in government programmes. This guide tells you exactly what to do in every major state.

To convert an APL ration card to BPL, you apply at your local Food and Civil Supplies office or Gram Panchayat with an income certificate and supporting documents.

What Is APL and BPL? The Difference Explained

APL stands for Above Poverty Line. BPL stands for Below Poverty Line. These two categories determine how much food support a family gets from the government's Public Distribution System (PDS).

The government draws a poverty line based on income. Families below that line get a BPL ration card. Families above it get an APL ration card. The card is not just about food | it is also a government identity document used for many official purposes.

The difference is significant. BPL cardholders are treated as priority beneficiaries across dozens of government programmes | from housing schemes to educational scholarships to health insurance. An APL card gives you identity proof and limited benefits, but not that priority status.

How NFSA 2013 Changed the APL/BPL System

The National Food Security Act (NFSA) was passed in 2013. It changed the ration card classification nationally. The old system of APL/BPL was replaced with two main categories:

• PHH | Priority Household: Families identified as needing food support. Each person gets 5 kg of grain per month at subsidised rates (rice at ₹3/kg, wheat at ₹2/kg, coarse grain at ₹1/kg).
• AAY | Antyodaya Anna Yojana: The poorest of the poor. Each family gets 35 kg of grain per month regardless of family size.

Under NFSA, APL (now called NPHH | Non-Priority Households) families do not get subsidised grains from the central government. Some states still give APL families limited items like sugar or kerosene at slightly reduced prices, but the grain subsidy goes to PHH and AAY only.

Some states have kept the APL/BPL terminology alongside NFSA categories. Gujarat, for instance, still uses APL-1 and APL-2 alongside BPL and AAY in its ration card system. This is why the process of converting APL to BPL still exists and is frequently asked about.

Why Change from APL to BPL?

Your income may have fallen. You lost a job. A family member became seriously ill. You lost agricultural land. Whatever the reason | if your economic situation changed, your ration card category should reflect that.

Getting your card changed from APL to BPL has real, practical benefits:

• Food grain subsidy: You start receiving 5 kg of rice, wheat, or coarse grain per person per month at near-free rates.
• Government scheme priority: BPL status unlocks priority access to PM Awas Yojana (housing), Ujjwala Yojana (LPG), Ayushman Bharat (health insurance), and many state-level schemes.
• Education benefits: Many scholarship schemes | including those on the Digital Gujarat portal | treat BPL status as a preference criterion.
• Fee waivers: BPL cardholders often get full or partial fee waivers at government hospitals, courts, and certificate offices.
• Employment schemes: MGNREGA work priority and wages are often aligned with BPL household lists.

Eligibility to Convert APL to BPL Ration Card

Each state sets its own income threshold for BPL. But the broad conditions are similar across India. You must meet all of these to qualify for conversion:

Income conditions

• Annual family income must be below the state's defined poverty line threshold
• In most rural areas: ₹15,000 to ₹60,000 per year (varies by state)
• In most urban areas: ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 per year (varies by state)
• The income certificate must be from a competent authority | Tehsildar, Mamlatdar, or SDM

Asset conditions

• Should not own a four-wheeler vehicle
• Should not own agricultural land exceeding the state's ceiling limit
• Should not own a high-value property or large house (state definitions vary)
• Should not have an air conditioner at home

Employment conditions

• No family member should hold a permanent government job with regular pay
• If employed, the combined household income must still fall below the BPL threshold

Other conditions

• Must be a permanent resident of the state where you are applying
• Your family must not already hold a BPL, PHH, or AAY card in any state
• Income tax payees are generally not eligible for BPL card

In some states like Karnataka, BPL status is also determined by periodic government surveys (Socio-Economic and Caste Census data). Individual applications are processed between survey periods, but survey results take priority when they are released. Check with your district Food and Civil Supplies office for the current method in your area.

Documents Required for APL to BPL Ration Card Conversion

These documents are needed in almost every state. Some states ask for additional documents | check with your local office before visiting.

For SC/ST applicants: Caste certificate from Mamlatdar or Tehsildar may also be required in some states.

For patients with serious illness (kidney disease, cancer, disability): Some states have special provisions to convert APL to BPL for medical hardship cases. Carry a hospital certificate and doctor's letter along with the income certificate.

How to Change APL to BPL Ration Card | General Step-by-Step Process

This is the common process across most Indian states. The exact steps may vary. The state-wise sections below give specifics for each state.

1. Get a fresh income certificate
   Visit your Tehsildar, Mamlatdar, or SDM office. Apply for an income certificate showing your family's annual income is below the BPL threshold. This is the most important step. Do it first.
2. Check your state's current BPL income limit
   Call your district Food and Civil Supplies office or check their website. Income limits differ between rural and urban areas, and between states. Make sure your certificate income falls within the limit before applying.
3. Collect all required documents
   Gather: income certificate, Aadhaar of all family members, existing APL ration card, address proof, passport photos, and any other state-specific documents. Make self-attested photocopies of all originals.
4. Get the application form
   Visit your local Food and Civil Supplies office, Gram Panchayat, Mamlatdar office, or Tehsil office. Ask for the ration card category change form or correction form. It is free. Do not pay anyone for a form.
5. Fill the form carefully
   Enter all family member names exactly as on Aadhaar. State your current annual income, address, and reason for category change. Double-check before signing.
6. Submit the form and documents
   Submit at the designated office | Food and Civil Supplies office, Taluk office, or Gram Panchayat depending on your state. Ask for an acknowledgement receipt with a date and reference number. Keep it safe.
7. Field verification
   A local official | village accountant, patwari, or supply inspector | will visit your home. They check your house condition, family members, assets, and documents in original. Be present at home on the verification day.
8. Decision and updated card
   If approved, your ration card category is updated in the government database. Some states issue a new physical card. Others update your digital record. Check with your office which format they use.

State-Wise Process Summary

How to Change APL to BPL Ration Card in Gujarat

Gujarat uses the Digital Gujarat portal for ration card services. The state also has a well-organised offline route through the Mamlatdar office and Jan Seva Kendra at every taluka.

Online route | Digital Gujarat portal

1. Go to digitalgujarat.gov.in and log in or register
2. Click Services → Citizen Services → Ration Card Services
3. Select "Correction in Ration Card" or "Category Change"
4. Fill in the form with your current ration card number and new requested category
5. Upload income certificate, Aadhaar, and address proof
6. Submit and save the acknowledgement number

Offline route | Mamlatdar/Jan Seva Kendra

1. Visit your Taluka's Jan Seva Kendra or Mamlatdar office
2. Ask for the ration card category change form (or PDS correction form)
3. Fill the form and attach income certificate (current year, below Gujarat BPL limit), Aadhaar, APL ration card, address proof, and photographs
4. Submit at the counter. Get the acknowledgement slip.
5. Await field verification by the Talati or local Supply Inspector
6. Once approved, the Mamlatdar updates your category. Processing time: 7 to 30 days

How to Change APL to BPL Ration Card in Karnataka

Karnataka issues colour-coded ration cards: yellow (BPL | income below ₹15,000/year), orange (income ₹15,000 to ₹1 lakh), and white (above ₹1 lakh, APL). Conversion from white or orange to yellow requires an income below ₹15,000 per year and other BPL criteria.

How to convert in Karnataka

1. Visit your Taluk office or Gram Panchayat in rural areas, or your ward's BDO office in urban areas
2. Ask for the ration card category correction form
3. Submit it with income certificate showing below ₹15,000/year, Aadhaar, current ration card, address proof, and photographs
4. The office conducts a socio-economic check. If your income falls in the BPL range, conversion is processed
5. For online queries, check the Seva Sindhu portal at sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in

To check your ration card type in Karnataka, visit ahara.karnataka.gov.in and enter your ration card number or Aadhaar to view your current category.

How to Change APL to BPL Ration Card in Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, ration cards are managed by the Food and Civil Supplies Department. The state portal is food.rajasthan.gov.in.

Process for Rajasthan

1. Get your income certificate from the Tehsildar showing income below the Rajasthan BPL limit
2. Visit your Tehsil food department or block-level office
3. Fill the application form for ration card category change
4. Attach income certificate, Aadhaar, existing ration card, address proof, and BPL survey details if available
5. Submit and get an acknowledgement number
6. A patwari or village-level official will verify your household condition
7. Approval is communicated by SMS to your registered mobile number

BPL status in Rajasthan is also linked to the BPL survey data. Families identified in the state BPL survey get priority. You can check the Rajasthan ration card and BPL status online at the state PDS portal using your ration card number.

How to Change APL to BPL Ration Card in Kerala

Kerala manages ration cards through the Civil Supplies Department. The state portal is civilsupplieskerala.gov.in. Kerala also has a unique new ration card list where you can check your APL or BPL status by entering your card number.

How to convert in Kerala

1. Contact your local Civil Supplies Department office or Panchayat office
2. Ask for the ration card category correction application form
3. Submit with income certificate, Aadhaar, existing card, address proof, and photographs
4. The Village Officer verifies your income and socio-economic status
5. For online applications, try the e-ration system at civilsupplieskerala.gov.in

Kerala also has provisions for special categories. Kidney patients, people with disabilities, and elderly persons above 65 can apply for APL to BPL conversion on humanitarian grounds with a hospital certificate and disability certificate in addition to the income proof.

To check whether your existing Kerala ration card is APL or BPL, visit civilsupplieskerala.gov.in → New Ration Card → Check Status → Enter your card number. The portal shows your current category.

How to Change APL to BPL Ration Card in Haryana

Haryana manages ration card updates through the Department of Food and Civil Supplies. Applications can be submitted at the district food office or online through haryanafood.gov.in.

Haryana APL to BPL conversion steps

1. Get an income certificate from the Tehsildar showing below the Haryana BPL income limit
2. Visit your district Food and Civil Supplies office
3. Request the APL to BPL ration card update form
4. Submit with income certificate, Aadhaar, current ration card, and address proof
5. For online applications, go to haryanafood.gov.in and use the ration card correction section
6. Your application is reviewed by a Supply Inspector before approval

How to Change APL to BPL Ration Card in West Bengal

West Bengal uses Form VI for ration card upgradation. This form is used for applying for a change from APL to BPL (or upgrading from one category to a higher-subsidy category).

West Bengal ration card upgradation | Form No. 6 (Form VI) process

1. Get Form VI (also called Form No. 6) from your local Block Development Office (BDO) or from the West Bengal food department website
2. Fill in your family details, current ration card number, and reason for category change
3. Attach income certificate, Aadhaar of all family members, current ration card, and address proof
4. Submit at your BDO office or Gram Panchayat
5. The local Supply Inspector visits your home for verification
6. Approved applications are updated in the West Bengal PDS database

For online status tracking and digital ration card management in West Bengal, visit the Food Department portal through wb.gov.in. The PDS correction portal also allows online status checks for submitted applications.

How to Check If Your Ration Card Is APL or BPL

You do not need to visit an office just to check your category. Here are three ways to find out.

Method 1 | Check the physical card

Your ration card itself shows the category. Look for the text "APL," "BPL," "AAY," or "PHH" printed on the card. Card colours also indicate category in many states | but colours vary from state to state, so do not rely only on colour.

Method 2 | Check online by state

Method 3 | Ask at the Fair Price Shop

Your local ration shop keeper (FPS dealer) has access to your ration card record. Ask them to show you your current category on their electronic POS device. This is the quickest offline way to confirm your category.

BPL to APL | Reverse Conversion

If your income has risen and you no longer qualify for BPL, the government may require you to surrender your BPL card or convert it to APL. In some states, if the government finds that a BPL cardholder's income has exceeded the threshold during a survey, the card is automatically downgraded.

If you want to voluntarily convert BPL to APL | for example, to avoid legal problems if audited | visit your local Food and Civil Supplies office and apply for a category change with an updated income certificate showing your new income level.

The reverse conversion | BPL to APL | can sometimes be requested "without reason" if you simply want to return the benefit. Contact your district food office for the procedure. Typically, you submit a written request with your current income certificate, and the office processes the downgrade.

What to Do If Your APL to BPL Application Is Rejected

Rejection does not mean you are permanently ineligible. Here is what to do:

1. Read the rejection reason carefully. The rejection letter or notice should state why your application was refused | income too high, missing document, survey mismatch, etc.
2. Fix the stated problem. If your income certificate showed higher income, get a fresh one. If documents were missing, collect them. Address the exact reason stated.
3. File an appeal. In most states, you can appeal to the District Supply Officer (DSO) or District Collector within 30 days of rejection. File the appeal in writing with your original application number and the rejection letter.
4. Contact your local MLA or ward councillor. They often have the authority to recommend review of borderline cases to the district food authority.
5. File an RTI if needed. Under the Right to Information Act, you can request the specific criteria used to reject your application. This forces the office to justify its decision in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary | Key Points to Remember

• APL means Above Poverty Line. BPL means Below Poverty Line. BPL cards give more subsidised grain and welfare scheme access.
• After NFSA 2013, APL is now NPHH and BPL is now PHH in most official communications | but both terms are still widely used.
• To convert, you need an income certificate from your Tehsildar or Mamlatdar showing income below the state's BPL limit.
• The process is free. No official fee applies anywhere in India.
• Field verification by a local official is part of the process in every state.
• Most states take 15 to 45 days to complete the conversion.
• You can check your card's category online at your state's Food and Civil Supplies portal or at nfsa.gov.in.
• If rejected, appeal to the District Supply Officer within 30 days.

This is an independent educational resource. Not affiliated with the Government of India or any state government. Rules and income limits change each year | always verify the current procedure at your state's official Food and Civil Supplies Department website or nearest Gram Panchayat / Mamlatdar office.