📝 How to Add a New Member to Ration Card in West Bengal (2025 Process)

If you need to add a new family member (like a newborn baby 👶, a newlywed wife 👰, or a relative) to your existing Digital Ration Card, you must use Form 4. The West Bengal Food & Supplies Department has updated the portal for 2026 with new verification rules.

✅ Checklist: What You Need Before You Start

Make sure you have these ready to avoid session timeouts:

• 👶 For Children (Age 0-5): Valid Birth Certificate.

• 🧑 For Anyone Above 5: Valid Aadhaar Card (Mandatory).

• 🔑 Login ID: The Aadhaar Number of the Head of Family.

• 📱 Mobile: The phone linked to that Aadhaar (for OTP).

• 📂 Files: Clear photo of Birth Certificate or Aadhaar (JPG/PDF, max 200KB). 

• Use the link below to resize

🚀 Step-by-Step Application Process

🌐 Step 1: Access the Official Portal

1. Open your browser (Chrome is recommended).

2. Visit food.wb.gov.in (Click Here)

3. On the homepage, look at the Left Menu Bar.

4. Click on "Citizen Home" 🏠.

5. Select "Ration Card Related Corner".

🔐 Step 2: Login (Read Carefully!)

1. Scroll to the section "Office Approval Required Service".

2. Click on "Apply Online" 💻.

3. ⚠️ Crucial Tip: You will see a login box.

   • ❌ DO NOT enter the Aadhaar of the new person you want to add.

   • ✅ DO enter the Aadhaar Number of the Head of Family (or any member who already has a Ration Card).

4. Click "Get OTP" and enter the code sent to your mobile.

📄 Step 3: Select Form 4

1. Once logged in, you will see your Family Dashboard.

2. Scroll down to the list of forms.

3. Find Form 4 (Title: "Application for inclusion of new member").

4. Click the "Apply Now" or green "Click Here" button 👇.

🏠 Step 4: Verify Address Details

1. The system will show your family's current address and Ration Dealer details.

2. These are usually auto-filled. You generally don't need to change them.

3. Review the info and click "Next" ➡️.

✍️ Step 5: Enter New Member Details

This step changes based on the age of the person. Choose the right option:

👶 Option A: If Adding a Child (Age 5 or Below)

• Name: Type exactly as written on the Birth Certificate.

• Relationship: Choose "Son", "Daughter", etc.

• Document: Select "Birth Certificate".

• Verification: Enter the Certificate Number and click "Verify" ✔️. (Wait for the green tick!).

🧑 Option B: If Adding Anyone Above 5 Years

• Name: Type exactly as written on the Aadhaar Card.

• Document: You must select "Aadhaar Card".

• Verification: Enter the Aadhaar Number and click "Verify" ✔️.

  • Note: The system checks if this Aadhaar is used elsewhere. It must be unique to proceed.

📤 Step 6: Upload & Add Member

1. If prompted, upload the scanned document (Birth Certificate or Aadhaar).

2. Click the "Add Member" button ➕.

3. You will see the name added to a list below. (Repeat this if you have more members to add).

4. Click "Next" ➡️.

🎉 Step 7: Final Submission

1. Review the summary screen.

2. Check the "Declaration" box ☑️ (certifying the data is true).

3. Click "Submit".

4. Enter the Final OTP sent to your phone.

5. Done! You will see a green "Successfully Submitted" message. Take a screenshot of the Application ID 📸.

📊 How to Track Your Status

Wait for 7-15 days, then check online:

1. Go to food.wb.gov.in ➡️ "Check Application Status".

2. Select Form 4.

3. Enter your Mobile Number.

4. Status Meanings:

   • 🕒 "Submitted": Processing.

   • 👍 "Approved": Accepted, but card not printed yet.

   • ✅ "Approved and Merged": Success! The card is live and linked to your family.

💡 Final Action: Activation

Once the status is "Approved and Merged", take the new member (or their Aadhaar) to your local Ration Shop to do the Biometric (Fingerprint) e-KYC 👆. This activates the card for food grains!