AP Government to Distribute Smart Ration Cards in 4 Phases Starting August 25: District-Wise Schedule

The AP government has given good news. It will distribute smart ration cards from the 25th of this month. It has decided to complete this process in a total of 4 installments. It has also brought a toll-free number 1967 regarding smart ration cards.

The field is ready for the distribution of ration cards in AP. Smart ration cards will be distributed free of cost to every household from August 25. The government has decided to distribute 1 crore 45 lakh smart cards in four phases. It has prepared an activity to distribute them at the respective ration card shops in collaboration with the village and ward secretariats.

Continuous process - Minister Nadendla

State Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar on Friday announced the distribution of new ration cards. He said that 6,71,000 new ration cards are being issued. He said that 16,67,032 ration card applications have been approved… He clarified that the issuance of cards is a continuous process. He said that the online application process will always be available. He said that the distribution of ration has increased to 93 percent.

He said that training has been provided to the relevant staff regarding the distribution of smart cards. He said that steps are being taken to curb the illegal smuggling of PDS rice using technology. He opined that this is probably the first time in the country that smart cards have been distributed using technology on a large scale.

The minister explained that the smart cards will have the government logo and family members' details. He said that there will also be a QR code and a customer toll-free number for safety. He said that anyone can call the toll-free number 1967 at any time. He said that the smart ration cards have been in practice for 2 months. He said that he is working with the aim of providing services to the person in the last mile as well. He said that the smart cards will be delivered safely in boxes with a QR code from the state to the district, from there to the mandals, and from the mandals to the respective ration shops. He said that this will make traceability easy. He said that ration is already being delivered to the doorsteps of about 16,73,000 people above 65 years of age and the disabled every month.

Ministers, legislators, public representatives, and officials will begin distributing free smart cards in their respective districts from August 25th.

• The first phase will be distributed in Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, NTR, Tirupati, Nellore, Srikakulam, East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts from 25.08.2025.
• The second phase will be in Chittoor, Kakinada, Guntur, and Eluru from 30.08.2025.
• The third installment will be distributed from 06.09.2025 in Anantapur, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam, Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema, and Anakapalle.
• The fourth phase of distribution of smart cards will be carried out in Bapatla, Palnadu, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Sri Sathya Sai, Kurnool, Nandyal and Prakasam districts from 15.09.2025.