As the stage is being set for distribution of new food security (ration) cards to beneficiaries across the State, the government has taken adequate care to load the new cards with host of security features to avoid duplication or misuse.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will formally launch the distribution of ration cards in Sangareddy on August 15, coinciding with the Independence Day. Over 1.04 crore cards covering more than three crore beneficiaries will be distributed across the State.

The new ration cards will have security features like hologram, hidden image, water mark logo, invisible UV logo and encrypted QR code. The hologram will be a secured Image of the Telangana government emblem while the hidden security images display images government and “original”. Care has been taken to see that dual images are incorporated using overlapping or superimposed characters that become visible only at specific viewing angles.

The relief text or embossed raised text is another feature that creates a tactile surface that can be felt by touch. The micro printed text will be difficult to replicate using standard printing methods, thus giving additional layer of security to the cards, officials said.

The new cards feature highly effective anti-copy features that are difficult to reproduce. The technology, according to officials, is similar to the one used for highly secured documents like bank notes, passports and certificates. The micro text for instance consists of extremely small printed text that is readable only under magnification. Any effort for counterfeit reproduction often causes the text to blur or become unreadable.

Published - August 13, 2026 08:20 pm IST