Passport Office will not accept Public Distribution System (PDS) family card (ration card) as a proof of identity or proof of residence for passport applications with effect from April 1, 2016.
A release from Passport Officer S. Sasikumar said that as stipulated under para 4 (6) of the Gazette Notification No GSR 213 (E) dated March 20, 2015 issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution – Government of India, it had been decided by the Ministry of External Affairs not to entertain PDS family cards as proof of identity or address any more. For details of other documents acceptable as proof of identity or residents, applicants can visithttp://passport.gov.in