Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has extended the deadline for mandatory e-KYC verification of ration card beneficiaries from October 20 to November 10, giving people additional time to complete the process.

The Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs has announced the extension as a significant number of beneficiaries are yet to complete the required verification. The department has urged eligible cardholders to finish the process before the revised deadline to avoid possible disruption to ration benefits.

Who needs to complete e-KYC?

According to the department, verification is required for three categories of beneficiaries:

  • 1,15,87,298 beneficiaries whose e-KYC was completed more than a year ago.
  • 3,82,362 beneficiaries who have never completed e-KYC.
  • 54,27,396 beneficiaries whose last verification was completed more than five years ago.

Those falling under the specified categories have been asked to complete their verification by November 10.

The department has advised beneficiaries to check their e-KYC status and ensure that their details are updated within the prescribed period.

e-KYC through fair price shops and Anna Seva app

Beneficiaries can complete the verification process by visiting their local fair price shops, where the procedure can be carried out using the AHARA software.

Alternatively, they can use the Anna Seva mobile application, which has been made available across all 31 districts of Karnataka.

The application has also been extended nationwide, allowing Karnataka ration cardholders who are living in other states for employment or other reasons to complete e-KYC without travelling back to their home districts.

Those who have already installed the Anna Seva application have been advised to update it through the Google Play Store to access the latest version and its e-KYC facility.

Deadline extended for the second time

The original deadline for completing the mandatory verification was September 30. The department subsequently extended it to October 20 after many beneficiaries failed to complete the process within the initial timeframe.

The latest extension, which moves the deadline to November 10, is intended to provide further opportunity for those who remain unverified.

Beneficiaries have been advised not to wait until the last few days to complete the process, particularly if they need assistance at a fair price shop.

Ration benefits may be affected

The department has cautioned that failure to complete e-KYC within the prescribed period could lead to action under the applicable rules.

Delays may affect the distribution of free ration supplies, while ration card cancellation is also a possible consequence under the relevant provisions.

Cardholders should therefore verify whether their e-KYC is due and complete the process through an authorised fair price shop or the Anna Seva application before November 10.

The extension gives beneficiaries additional time to comply with the requirement, including those who have moved outside Karnataka. The department has urged all eligible cardholders to use the extended period to complete their verification and avoid potential difficulties in accessing ration benefits.