Delhi Food Security Rules 2026

REGD. No. D. L.-33002/99 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Delhi Gazette SG-DL-E-06022026-269896 EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 34] DELHI, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2026/MAGHA 15, 1947 [N. C. T. D. No. 448 PART IV GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI DEPARTMENT OF FOOD, SUPPLIES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS NOTIFICATION Delhi, the 2nd February, 2026 THE DELHI FOOD SECURITY RULES, 2026 No. F. 9(11)/2013/F&S/Admn./NFSA/68-98.-In exercise of the Powers conferred under sub-section (1) of section 40, read with other relevant sections of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (Central Act 20 of 2013), the Lieutenant Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi hereby makes the following Rules to carry out the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013. 1. Short Title and Commencement: - (1) These rules shall be called the Delhi Food Security Rules, 2026. (2) It extends to the National Capital Territory of Delhi. (3) It shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Definitions: - (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires: - (a) "Act" means the National Food Security Act 2013 (20 of 2013); (b) "Agent" means a person duly authorised by a party to present any appeal or reply on its behalf before the appropriate authority; (c) "Appellant" means a person which makes an appeal against the order of the District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO); (d) "Complaint / Grievances” means and includes a representation in writing or through electronic means containing a grievance relating to any deficiency / failure in delivery of entitlements under the Act or any shortcoming in the implementation of the Act; (e) "District Grievance Redressal Officer" or DGRO means an officer, notified to act as DGRO in NCT of Delhi; (f) "State Food Commission" means a body, notified to act as State Food Commission for the NCT of Delhi under Section 16 of the Act; (g) "Department", means the Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Government of NCT of Delhi. (2) The words and expressions used herein but not defined in these rules shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Act. 3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR IDENTIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS TO RECEIVE FOOD GRAINS AT SUBSIDIZED PRICES (1) The households having annual family income upto Rs.1.20 lakh will be considered as eligible households for inclusion in the Priority Household category. (2) For assessing Income of household for issuance of new Ration Card, Family Income Certificate from Revenue Department, GNCTD will be necessary. (3) The following households will not be eligible for Ration Card: (i) If any member of the household owns a building/land in any of the A to E category colonies of Delhi. (ii) If any member of the household is income tax payee (iii) If any member of a household owns a light (Four-Wheeler) or heavy vehicle (except one commercial vehicle in households for earning livelihood) (iv) If the household is receiving ration/food subsidy under any other schemes of the Govt. of India or the State Govt. (v) If any member of the household is an employee of Central/State Government, local bodies, corporation/autonomous bodies of Central / State / Local Government, Banks / Financial Institutes. (vi) If the household has electricity connection above 2 KW. (4) Mode of Application : The existing eldest female of the family will be treated as Head of household (HoH). If the age of the existing female of the family is below 18 years, the eldest male member of the family shall be treated as Head of household, till any of the female member attains the age of 18 years. In case of death of declared female HoH, the eldest female (above 18 years) in the Ration Card of the family may apply for getting declared as new HoH. The Application should be submitted in an online mode in the prescribed format by Head of household enclosing the following documents: a. Copy of Aadhar Card of all the family members b. Proof of residence in Delhi, if her residence is not the same as mentioned in her Aadhar card. c. Family Income Certificate issued by the Revenue Department. d. Copy of Ration card (if the applicant or any member of the household has Ration card of any type) e. An undertaking in the prescribed format (Undertaking) that the applicant and his / her family members doesn't fall under any of the exclusion categories. (5) Disposal of application by a Committee at District level I. A committee shall be constituted at District Level in every District of the Department of Food, Supplies & Consumer Affairs for disposal of applications. The Committee shall have following composition- a. Chairperson - District Magistrate of the concerned Revenue District, or any other Revenue Officer of the concerned Revenue District not below the rank of Additional District Magistrate, duly authorized by the District Magistrate; b. Members - 2 Hon’ble MLAs of the District concerned; c. Member - Area Sub Divisional Magistrate concerned; d. Member Secretary - Asstt. Commissioner F&S of the District. II. Besides existing applications, the Committee may invite fresh applications also from other "Poorest of Poor", where so deemed necessary by the Committee, based on family income certificate from Revenue Department. III. The total number of ration cards, allowed for NCT of Delhi, shall be divided and grouped District- wise in proportion of the total number of voters of the District. The voter-basis would be switched to Census basis as and when ongoing Census operations results are released for formal usage. IV. The Committee shall scrutinize and evaluate eligibility of applications in accordance with the notified rules and shall accordingly approve/disapprove the applications. V. After examining the applications, the Committee shall prioritize/serialize all the approved applications. VI. The Committee shall use the Rule (3) as guiding reference for approval but not be bound by it while prioritizing the approved applications. VII. Over and above the number of vacancies of new ration cards for the District, the Committee shall also maintain a waiting list of 20% of total vacancy, to be served on FIFO (first in first out) basis as and when vacancies arise. VIII. The Govt. may issue necessary directions to the Committee from time to time for timely disposal of applications. 4. Internal Grievance Redressal Mechanism (1) There shall be an Internal Grievance Redressal Mechanism in the Food Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, GNCTD for Redressal of Grievances of beneficiaries, which shall include- Circle Level - Food and Supply Officer District Level - Zonal Assistant Commissioner State Level - Jt./Addl./Special Commissioner, HQ (2) Any person or institution can lodge complaint with concerned Officer in the following manner: - (i) at his / her office in writing or online at the portal of the department (ii) through toll free helpline numbers (iii) PDS portal (iv) Any complaint pertaining to National Food Security Act (NFSA) received in Grievance Management Portal of GNCT of Delhi will be taken up as a grievance under the rules. (v) Voice complaints received on help desk or otherwise to be translated in writing will be considered as complaint under the rules. (vi) Any other method which may be notified by the Government. Every complaint so received shall be assigned unique complaint number with date and be intimated to complainant. (3) All the complaints received shall be monitored and shall forward the same to the officer concerned for their Redressal. (4) After verification of facts by the concerned officers, remedial action for its Redressal shall be completed within fifteen days from the receipt of the complaint. The complaints of urgent nature shall be disposed preferably within 2 hours and in a period not exceeding 24 hours from the time of receipt of complaint. This would comprise complaints, such as: 1. Non-opening of Fair Price Shops 2. Non issuance of SFA as per entitlement 3. Less weight of SFA 4. Over charging (5) The Food and Supply Officer concerned shall be held responsible in case the complaint is not redressed in prescribed time frame. The unresolved complaint shall automatically move to next higher authority if not resolved in prescribed time through automated system to be provided with help desk. Departmental action under relevant rules shall be taken against the officials who fail to redress grievance under prescribed time frame. (6) There shall be a Grievance Box kept at each circle office which should be opened daily for complaint receipt. FSOs, as authorized by the Commissioner (F&S) shall be responsible for its management. (7) No anonymous complaint shall be entertained. The complainant shall be informed in writing or through e-mail or telephonically about the manner in which grievance has been redressed. 5. External Grievance Redressal Mechanism District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) :- (1) All the Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) in the concerned districts shall act as District Grievance Redressal Officers under section 15 of the Act for effective Redressal of grievances of the aggrieved persons in matters relating to PDS beneficiaries. Provided that in case of absence of the ADM for any reason, the District Magistrate concerned may authorise one of the Sub Divisional Magistrate to handle this responsibility. (2) The address, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and other means of contacting the District Grievance Redressal Officer, in respect of each district shall be displayed at each office of the department in the district, fair price shops, departmental website and at the office of the Grievance Redressal Officers. 6. Procedure for registering complaints:- (1) Any aggrieved person under the Act may file a complaint/grievance in writing with the District Grievance Redressal Officers, with the name, address, telephone number of self and the name, license number and address of the Fair Price Shop Owner. The circle number in which the FPS is located may also be mentioned. (2) All complaints shall be assigned unique complaint number with date and informed to the complainant. (3) No anonymous complaint shall be entertained. (4) No complaint shall be entertained unless it is accompanied by proof that the internal grievance mechanism has been fully exhausted, alongwith a declaration stating that the grievance remains unresolved. 7. Procedure for disposal of complaints: - (1) For every complaint received, the District Grievance Redressal Officers shall verify whether there is a prima-facie substance in the complaint to proceed in the matter. (2) If the District Grievance Redressal Officer is satisfied, that there is prima-facie substance in the complaint, he shall call report in the matter from concerned officer or person or agency against whom complaint has been made, along with relevant documents. The requisite explanation and document shall be furnished by the concerned officer or person or agency against whom complaint has been made, to the District Grievance Redressal Officer, within fifteen days. (3) Based on the explanation of concerned officer or person or agency against whom complaint has been made, and the available documents, if the District Grievance Redressal Officer is satisfied about the veracity of the grievance, he/she shall issue necessary order for its Redressal within fifteen days from the date of disposal of the complaint. District Grievance Redressal Officer shall dismiss the complaint, in case no merit is found. (4) If the District Grievance Redressal Officer feels that the matter needs to be further examined, he/she may; (i) Get the matter enquired by a suitable officer of the Government at District level and decide on the basis of report so received within 45 days from the date of receipt of the complaint, or (ii) If considered necessary, give an opportunity to the complainant and officer/person/agency concerned with the complaint, to present their case on a fixed date and after having heard them and taking into consideration the evidences submitted, decide the matter within 45 days from the date of receipt of the complaint. (5) On the date fixed for hearing, if the complainant is absent, the District Grievance Redressal Officer may dismiss the complaint or proceed to enquire the matter ex-parte and decide. If, however, the officer / person / agency concerned with the complaint, called by the District Grievance Redressal Officer is absent on the date fixed by him, he/she may proceed to enquire the matter ex-parte and decide. (6) The complainant shall be informed of the decision on his / her complaint in writing or through electronic mode, with a system for confirmation of its receipt by complainant. (7) If the District Grievance Redressal Officer is of the opinion that the disposal of the complaints requires more time that prescribed under clauses (3) and (5) above, the complainant shall be sent an interim reply citing the reasons for delay. 8. Powers of District Grievance Redressal Officer:- (1) Every District Grievance Redressal Officer shall exercise the power conferred under the Act. (2) The power referred to in sub-rule (1) shall include the power to hear complaint relating to following matters, namely :- (i) issuance and cancellation of ration cards; (ii) non-distribution of entitled foodgrains or meals referred to under the Act; (iii) any other matter related to Public Distribution System as may be specified by the Government under the Act. (3) The District Grievance Redressal Officer will also act upon information received in writing, from the various Vigilance Committee constituted as per the provisions of section 29 of the Act. (4) The District Grievance Redressal Officer, while enquiring into complaints, shall have powers to direct any concerned officials/persons at District/field level:- (a) To produce before, and allow to be examined such books, accounts, documents or any other material in custody or under control of the persons so required as may be specified in the requisition; (b) To furnish such information as may be required. (5) The District Grievance Redressal Officer can issue appropriate orders disposing of the complaints received under sub-section (1) of section 15. (6) While deciding a complaint, the District Grievance Redressal Officer can recommend the action to be taken by the competent authority against the fair price shop owner or the employee of the Department concerned, if found to be responsible, according to the provisions of the law & rules. 9. Monitoring the disposal of complaints:- Disposal of complaints shall be monitored by the Secretary- in-Charge of Food and Supplies Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi at least once in every quarter. 10. Appeal:- Any complainant or the officer or person or agency against whom any order has been passed by the District Grievance Redressal Officer, who is not satisfied with the Redressal of grievance, may file an appeal against such order before the State Food Commission, within thirty days from the date of the issuance of the order by the District Grievance Redressal Officer. 11. Periodical Report :- District Grievance Redressal Officer shall send a quarterly report on complaints received and disposed of by him to the Department. 12. State Food Commission: - Any complainant, officer, person or agency aggrieved by an order passed by the District Grievance Redressal Officer, as designated by the Govt. of National Capital Territory of Delhi vide notification No. N.C.T.D. No. 106, dated 23/08/2013 published in the Delhi Gazette, and dissatisfied with the redressal of the grievance, may prefer an appeal against such order before the State Food Commission, as notified by the Govt. of National Capital Territory of Delhi, within thirty days from the date of the issuance of the order by the District Grievance Redressal Officer. 13. Composition of Vigilance Committees The Composition of Vigilance Committees at different level shall be as under: - (a) State Level Vigilance Committee i) Minister, F&S, GNCT of Delhi Chairman ii) Minister, Urban Development, GNCTD Member iii) Two MPs, NCT of Delhi Member iv) Three MLAs, NCT of Delhi Member v) Chief Secretary, Delhi Member vi) Six representatives of Consumer Activists / Member Youth & Women's Organizations nominated by Govt. of NCT of Delhi vii) Commissioner, F&S, GNCT of Delhi Member Secretary Out of the above, at least one member each from Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribes, Women, Minorities and destitute person or person with disability category should be a member of the Committee. (b) District Level Vigilance Committee i) Area MP Chairman ii) Ten representatives from beneficiary Groups / Member social/ consumer organizations (at least one member each from Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribes, Women, Minorities and destitute person or person with disability category) nominated by Commissioner, F&S iii) Zonal Asstt. Commissioner Member Secretary (c) Block / Circle Level Vigilance Committee i) Area MLA Chairman ii) Five Card Holders attached to the FPS/ Member Social Workers of the Area(at least one member each from Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribes, Women, Minorities and destitute person or person with disability category) nominated by Zonal Asstt. Commissioner, F&S iii) FSO Member Secretary (d) FPS Level Vigilance Committee i) Circle Food & Supply Officer Chairman ii) Ration Card Holders attached which include Member preferably one from AAY and one from Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribes, one Women/ one destitute or disabled iii) Circle Food and Supply Inspector Member Secretary 14. Utilization of institutional mechanism under section 43 of NFS Act. 2013: - The Public Grievance Commission of National Capital Territory of Delhi, as designated by the Govt. of National Capital Territory of Delhi vide notification No. N.C.T.D. No. 106, dated 23/08/2013 published in the Delhi Gazette, as the State Food Commission and it shall discharge the functions of monitoring and review of the implementation of the Act. The Commission may, as it considers necessary for its effective functioning, seek such administrative and technical staff as required. 15. Protection of the action taken under these Rules:- No suit, prosecution, or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for any action, done or intended to be done under this rule in good faith. 16. Savings -The provisions of these rules shall be in addition to and not in substitution for or in diminution of the requirements imposed by the Act and controls orders made thereunder. 17. Powers to issue orders for compliance of instructions: - The Commissioner, Food & Supplies, may issue necessary orders / instructions, from time to time, to ensure compliance of various provisions of these Rules and for the transparency, accountability and implementation of innovations in Public Distribution System. By Order and in the Name of Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, PRASHANT GOYAL, Addl. Chief Secretary-cum-Commissioner Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.