Ehsaas Rashan Program 2026: Eligibility, Registration and CNIC Check

Independent guide

This article explains public information. It does not determine eligibility or replace an official notice.

What the programme covers in 2026

The Ehsaas Rashan Program 2026 provides targeted grocery subsidies to low-income Pakistani families, giving a 35% to 40% discount on wheat flour (atta), cooking ghee, and pulses (daal). Households check eligibility by sending their 13-digit CNIC to 8123 or via the official web portal.

Through the Ehsaas Programs framework and provincial welfare boards, qualifying families save Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,500 monthly on rations at registered Karyana stores. The program operates as an inflation-targeted commodity subsidy rather than cash, covering three essential food items:

1. Wheat Flour (Atta): A subsidy of Rs. 100 per 10 kg bag (or Rs. 200 per 20 kg bag), supporting low-income households. 2. Edible Cooking Oil & Ghee: A direct reduction of Rs. 100 per litre/kg on approved brands. 3. Pulses (Daal): A price reduction of Rs. 50 per kilogram across essential lentils (daal chana, masoor, and moong).

Ehsaas Rashan 2026 Subsidized Commodity Price and Quota Matrix
Item	Market Rate	Subsidized Rate	Family Monthly Limit
Atta (Flour)	Rs. 1,400 / 10 kg	Rs. 1,200 – 1,300	20 kg
Cooking Oil / Ghee	Rs. 520 / kg	Rs. 420 / kg	Up to 5 kg
Pulses (Daal)	Rs. 320 – 360 / kg	Rs. 270 – 310 / kg	Up to 3 kg

Overview of Ehsaas Programs in Pakistan

Who is eligible for ehsaas rashan program

Eligibility targets families facing food inflation, verified through the National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) database. Applicants are assessed via their Poverty Means Test (PMT) score. Unlike federal cash programs requiring PMT ≤ 32, Ehsaas Rashan accepts scores up to 35 to 40.

Daily Wage Laborers & Informal Workers: Laborers, vendors, and domestic staff without fixed contracts.
Widows & Female-Headed Families: Single mothers registered with NADRA as sole household heads.
Low-Wage Private Employees: Workers earning below statutory subsistence levels.
Disabled Persons & Seniors: Citizens holding Special CNICs who cannot perform manual labor.
BISP Beneficiaries: Families receiving the BISP Benazir Kafaalat 8171 check automatically qualify for grocery discounts upon biometric authentication.

BISP Benazir Kafaalat 8171 Check Guide

Who is eligible (income, CNIC and survey rules)

Authorities enforce strict automated rules to allocate subsidies fairly across urban and rural union councils.

Socio-Economic Survey and Income Limits

Total family income must not exceed Rs. 50,000 per month. Families must have an active survey entry in the NSER database with a qualifying score (PMT ≤ 35). Urban plots over 5 marlas, commercial property, or four-wheeled motor vehicles disqualify applicants. Active government servants, armed forces personnel, and state pensioners are excluded.

Identification and SIM Verification Rules

Applicants must possess an original, valid 13-digit NADRA identity card. The mobile SIM used for registration must be registered to the applicant's own CNIC in PTA records. Only one adult representative per NADRA family unit may claim monthly grocery discounts.

How to register step by step

Eligible citizens can register through three official channels: the 8123 SMS shortcode, the provincial online portal, or an in-person visit to a BISP Tehsil Registration Desk.

Method 1: Mobile SMS Registration via 8123

Open your mobile phone's Messages app, type your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes (e.g., 3520198765431), and ensure the SIM has at least Rs. 2.00 mobile airtime. Send the text message to 8123 and wait for the automated confirmation SMS acknowledging receipt of your application.

Method 2: Online Registration via PSER Portal

Open the official web portal at pser.punjab.gov.pk or the provincial Ehsaas portal. Create an account with your CNIC, mobile phone number, and district. Fill out the form detailing family dependents, monthly earnings, and utility bills, then submit the application and record your tracking reference number.

Method 3: In-Person Dynamic Registry at Tehsil Centers

If you lack an NSER survey record, visit your local BISP Tehsil Office with your original CNIC, B-Forms, and electricity bill for free dynamic profiling.

Registration Channels Comparison for Ehsaas Rashan
Channel	Best For	Processing Time	Requirements
8123 SMS	Basic mobile phones	24 – 72 hours	SIM on applicant CNIC, Rs. 1.50 airtime
PSER Online Portal	Smartphone & PC users	3 – 5 days	CNIC, household electricity bill
BISP Tehsil Center	Unsurveyed households	7 – 14 days	Original CNIC, family B-Forms

How to check your status by CNIC

Verify your eligibility status before visiting a merchant outlet using the 8123 SMS service or the national tracking portal.

Checking via 8123 SMS Service

Send your 13-digit CNIC to 8123 from your registered SIM. You will receive an automated reply: Ahl (Eligible - approved to buy subsidized groceries), Zaire Ghor (Under Review - application being processed), or Na-Ahl (Ineligible - household PMT score exceeds cutoff).

Checking via 8171 Online Portal

Beneficiaries can also verify records on the official portal at 8171.bisp.gov.pk or check their status on the Ehsaas Tracking Check Payment Status portal: navigate to 8171.bisp.gov.pk, enter your 13-digit CNIC without hyphens, type the 4-digit captcha verification code shown on screen, and click 'Maloom Karein'.

Ehsaas Tracking Check Payment Status Guide

Payment amounts and dates

The program disburses digital grocery credits applied at merchant checkouts rather than cash. Eligible families receive Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,500 per month in grocery subsidies based on family size.

Credits replenish on the 1st day of every month and remain valid through the final day. Unused credits do not roll over. If unclaimed, the monthly quota expires and resets on the 1st of the next month.

To redeem subsidies, visit a Karyana store with the 8123 Ehsaas Rashan Riayat emblem or a Utility Stores outlet. Present your original CNIC and registered mobile phone. The merchant inputs your CNIC into the NBP POS Merchant App, you receive an SMS OTP, verify your thumbprint on the biometric scanner, and the POS terminal deducts the subsidy, leaving you to pay the remaining balance in cash.

Common problems and fixes

Common technical and registration issues can be resolved using the diagnostic table below.

Official Shortcodes Only: Authentic messages come only from 8123 or 8171. Ignore SMS from 11-digit private numbers (e.g., 0300-XXXXXXX).
Zero Registration Fees: Government registration is 100% free. Never send money via JazzCash or EasyPaisa for registration approval.

Ehsaas Rashan Troubleshooting Decision Matrix
Issue	Cause	Solution
No Reply from 8123 SMS	Network delay or low SIM balance	Check airtime balance (needs Rs. 2.00) and retry during non-peak hours.
'SIM Not Registered on CNIC'	SIM registered under another person's name	Purchase a biometric SIM registered strictly to your CNIC and re-apply.
'Family Not Found in NSER'	Household missed past welfare surveys	Visit nearest BISP Tehsil Center with CNIC and utility bill for dynamic survey.
Biometric Mismatch at Store	Dirty scanner or faint fingerprints	Clean fingers with alcohol wipe. If it still fails, visit NADRA to update biometrics.
Dual Status (Eligible 8123, Ineligible 8171)	Difference between ration and cash aid thresholds	8123 covers ration discounts (PMT ≤ 40); 8171 covers cash aid (PMT ≤ 32). Claim ration normally.
Merchant Overcharging	Unauthorized shopkeeper surcharge	Refuse surcharges and report the store immediately to the helpline at 0800-26477.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What is the official SMS code to check Ehsaas Rashan eligibility in 2026?

The official SMS code is 8123. Send your 13-digit CNIC number without dashes from a SIM registered in your own name to receive your eligibility status.

How much discount is given on groceries under the Ehsaas Rashan Program?

Families receive a 35% to 40% discount, saving Rs. 100 per 10 kg atta bag, Rs. 100 per kg/litre on cooking oil and ghee, and Rs. 50 per kg on pulses, up to Rs. 4,500 monthly.

Can I collect the Ehsaas Rashan subsidy in cash?

No. The subsidy is strictly an in-store grocery price reduction and cannot be withdrawn as cash from ATMs or bank branches.

What is the maximum monthly income allowed to qualify for Ehsaas Rashan?

Total household earnings must not exceed Rs. 50,000 per month, and the family's NSER survey score must fall within the provincial PMT cutoff (PMT ≤ 35).

Why did my 8123 registration fail with a SIM mismatch error?

This occurs when your mobile number is registered under another person's CNIC in PTA records. Re-apply using a SIM registered to your own CNIC.

Do government employees qualify for the Ehsaas Rashan Program?

No. Regular government servants, military personnel, and public-sector pensioners are excluded to prioritize low-income private and informal workers.

Where can I find registered Ehsaas Rashan Karyana stores in my area?

Registered stores display green 8123 Ehsaas Rashan Riayat banners. You can also redeem subsidies at authorized branches of the Utility Stores Corporation.

Does the monthly grocery subsidy roll over if I do not spend it?

No. Monthly subsidies expire on the last day of each calendar month. Unused credits reset on the 1st day of the following month.

Is there any registration fee for Ehsaas Rashan?

No. Registration via the 8123 SMS code, web portals, and BISP Tehsil Offices is entirely free. Only standard mobile carrier SMS charges apply.

What should I do if a grocery shopkeeper refuses to give the official discount?

If a merchant refuses the discount or demands illegal fees, report them immediately by calling toll-free helpline 0800-26477 or 0800-87227.

Verify at the source

Sources and official links

Check the destination address before entering personal information.

Official BISP 8171 Web Portal Punjab Ehsaas Rashan Portal Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER)

Saad HassanPublic Programmes Editor

Saad has covered BISP, Ehsaas, and provincial welfare schemes for Live Govt Schemes & Ehsaas Programs since 2024, cross-checking every guide against the current official portal before publication.

Ayesha MalikEditorial Reviewer, Social Protection

Ayesha reviews programme-eligibility and payment content for accuracy against BISP, NADRA NSER, and provincial notices, and flags any guide that needs an update after an official policy change.