No New Mobile Purchase Needed For Free Rations In Uttar Pradesh As Government Rebuts Social Media Rumours Uttar Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Department clarified that buying a phone or OTP verification is not mandatory for ration beneficiaries, maintaining standard biometric distribution. Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have firmly dismissed widespread social media claims alleging that ration cardholders must purchase a new mobile handset to receive free foodgrains. Anil Kumar, Principal Secretary and Commissioner of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, confirmed that the government has introduced no such mandate. Beneficiaries under the public distribution network will continue receiving their entitled provisions through the regular biometric verification channels without any requirement to purchase mobile devices or complete mandatory one-time password checks. Smooth Execution Under The National Food Security Act Commissioner Anil Kumar stressed that the distribution of free foodgrains across the state continues smoothly under the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013. The reports circulating across online platforms asserting that cardholders must buy new phones and verify OTPs prior to receiving provisions were termed completely baseless and misleading. The department emphasized that the primary goal remains ensuring a transparent, accessible, and beneficiary-focused public distribution system that delivers the designated grain quota to every eligible household without administrative hurdles. Biometric Authentication Via Electronic Point Of Sale Devices Fair price shops across Uttar Pradesh utilize Electronic Point of Sale machines to distribute foodgrains through Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. During the transaction, the beneficiary's biometric data is captured on the device and validated against the UIDAI central server. Once the identity match is verified, the shopkeeper immediately dispenses the authorized quantity of grains assigned to that ration card. If biometric authentication fails during the initial scan, the system allows the beneficiary two additional verification attempts on the same day. Iris Scanning And Backup Options For Family Members In cases where all three fingerprint attempts fail, fair price shops activate an iris scanning procedure for Aadhaar verification. When the iris scan successfully matches server records, the beneficiary receives their grain allocation without delay. Furthermore, if an individual fails to authenticate after three fingerprint attempts and one iris scan, the policy ensures the household is not left without supplies. Any other listed family member included on the same ration card can complete the standard verification procedure and collect the allocated foodgrains. Alternative OTP Access Reserved Strictly For Special Circumstances The core philosophy of the National Food Security Act, 2013 is safeguarding food security for every entitled citizen. Guided by this priority, an alternative OTP-based distribution window exists exclusively for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and individuals suffering from severe medical conditions who cannot physically undergo fingerprint or iris scanning. For these eligible cardholders, foodgrains are distributed on the final day of each distribution cycle using a one-time password sent to the mobile number already registered on the department's official portal. The Food Commissioner reiterated that this is an accommodation for specific hardship situations, not a mandatory protocol for the general population. What this means for you Ration beneficiaries do not need to spend money on new devices and can continue receiving their regular grain allocations through existing methods. • In Uttar Pradesh: Eligible cardholders are under no obligation to purchase mobile handsets to collect their grain supplies. Families can visit their designated fair price shop and collect foodgrains using standard biometric verification. • Verification flexibility: Beneficiaries receive up to three fingerprint scan attempts alongside an iris scan fallback on the same day. If verification still fails, any other adult member registered on the ration card can authenticate and collect the provisions. • Elderly and unwell citizens: Individuals physically unable to complete biometric or iris scans can receive rations via OTP on the final day of the distribution cycle. This concession requires an existing mobile number linked to the department's records. • Preventing fraud: Consumers should disregard online rumours requiring mandatory phone upgrades or immediate paid verifications. Cardholders should rely on official departmental updates or consult local fair price dealers for accurate guidelines. Why this happened Unverified messages circulated on social platforms claiming that a mobile phone purchase and OTP checks were mandatory to collect free foodgrains. The Food and Civil Supplies Department intervened to correct the record and prevent beneficiaries from being misled. • Viral misinformation: Online posts falsely informed the public that grain distribution was now tied directly to handset ownership and OTP verification. Official authorities confirmed that no policy requiring new hardware has been introduced. • Reliance on established systems: Distribution across fair price shops already relies on transparent electronic Point of Sale terminals linked to UIDAI servers. Beneficiaries continue to receive allocations through standard fingerprint and iris scanning. • Distortion of hardship rules: The administration maintains an OTP distribution channel strictly for bedridden, elderly, or disabled citizens on the final day of the cycle. Misleading social media reports distorted this limited safety net into a universal mandate. Questions & Answers 1. Is buying a new mobile phone mandatory to receive free rations in Uttar Pradesh? No, the Food and Civil Supplies Department clarified that buying a handset or OTP verification is not required. 2. How is foodgrain distribution authenticated at fair price shops? Distribution is authenticated through Aadhaar-based biometric fingerprint and iris scans on electronic Point of Sale machines. 3. What happens if a beneficiary's fingerprint biometric match fails? The beneficiary receives two additional attempts on the same day, followed by an iris scan option if fingerprint scans fail. 4. Can someone else collect the foodgrains if all scans fail for the cardholder? Yes, any other family member registered on the same ration card can complete verification and collect the foodgrains. 5. Who is eligible for OTP-based ration distribution? OTP distribution is reserved strictly for senior citizens, disabled individuals, and severely ill beneficiaries unable to complete physical scans. 6. When is the OTP-based ration facility accessible? Eligible beneficiaries can access OTP distribution on the final day of each distribution cycle using their pre-registered phone number. https://trendkia.com/en/trends/uttar-pradesh-men-muphta-rashana-ke-lie-naya-smartaphona-jaruri-nahin-sarakara-ne-aphavahon-para-lagaya-virama-45605 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.