Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Uttar Pradesh Rejects Rumours of Phone Requirement for Free Ration
A rumour said people in Uttar Pradesh had to buy a new phone to get free ration.
The state Food and Civil Supplies Department said this is not true.
People can still use the usual checks at ration shops.
If a fingerprint scan does not work, they can try again or use an eye scan.
Another family member listed on the ration card can also collect the food.
OTP checks have been available since 2017 for people who cannot use the other checks.
The department said this option was used for only 83,093 of more than 3.41 crore ration cards.
No one needs to buy a new phone to receive ration.
The Uttar Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Department said ration recipients do not need to buy a new mobile phone.
Ration is distributed at fair price shops using electronic Point of Sale machines linked to electronic weighing scales.
If fingerprint checks fail, beneficiaries can try twice more, use iris scanning, or have another ration-card family member collect the foodgrains.
OTP-based distribution has been available since 2017 under the National Food Security Act, for people unable to complete biometric or iris checks.
The department said OTP distribution was used for 83,093 of more than 3.41 crore ration cards, rejecting claims that phone purchases are mandatory.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh's Food and Civil Supplies Department and ration beneficiaries.
- What
- The department rejected claims that beneficiaries must buy a new mobile phone to receive free ration.
- When
- The clarification was reported on October 9, 2026; OTP-based distribution has been available since 2017.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- To correct social-media claims that a new phone and OTP verification are mandatory for receiving ration.
Department's clarification
Social-media claim
Need to purchase a new phone
Department's clarification
The department says no beneficiary needs to buy a new mobile phone to receive free ration.
Social-media claim
The circulating claim says beneficiaries must purchase a new phone and undergo OTP verification; the department calls it baseless and misleading.
Use of OTP verification
Department's clarification
OTP distribution is an alternative for extremely elderly people, people with disabilities, and people with serious illnesses who cannot complete biometric or iris checks.
Social-media claim
The rumour presents OTP verification as a general requirement for ration recipients.
- State
- Uttar Pradesh
- Clarification issued by
- Additional Commissioner Satyadev
- Ration cards in the state
- More than 3.41 crore
- Cards using OTP-based distribution
- 83,093
- OTP facility in operation since
- 2017
- Standard distribution method
- Electronic Point of Sale machines integrated with electronic weighing scales
- Alternative authentication
- Iris scanning or verification by another family member listed on the ration card