Himachal Pradesh Becomes First State to Launch Aadhaar Face Authentication for PDS Ration Delivery

PWOnlyIAS

July 08, 2025

Himachal Pradesh Becomes First State to Launch Aadhaar Face Authentication for PDS Ration Delivery

Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to implement Aadhaar-based face authentication (FaceAuth) for ration distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS), replacing earlier OTP and biometric-based methods.

  • Previously, authentication was done via OTP or biometric verification.
  • These methods often faced issues like SMS delivery failures and biometric mismatches at UIDAI’s end, leading to inconvenience.

OTP-based authentication uses a one-time password that is sent to the individual’s registered mobile number.

About Public Distribution System (PDS)

  • The Public Distribution System (PDS) is India’s food security mechanism, overseen by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, to ensure access to essential foodgrains at subsidised rates.
  • PDS took shape during the interwar years and gained national significance during the 1960s amid severe food shortages.
  • Initially serving urban populations, its coverage expanded to tribal and economically weaker rural areas following the Green Revolution.
  • Over the years, it has become a key element of India’s food security framework, intended to supplement household food needs.
  • It mainly distributes wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene, while some states extend the list to include pulses, edible oils, and salt.
  • Operational Structure:
    • Central Government: Manages procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk allocation via the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
    • State/UT Governments: Responsible for identifying beneficiaries, issuing ration cards, distributing supplies, and managing Fair Price Shops (FPSs).

How the New System Works?

  • The FaceAuth facility uses a mobile camera through an app on the fair price shop (FPS) owner’s smartphone.
  • It enables direct facial authentication of beneficiaries, making the process more accessible and reliable.
  • The system aims to streamline ration distribution, reduce verification time, and improve authentication success rate.
  • It ensures faster, more efficient service delivery under the PDS.

Steps Taken to Improve Public Distribution System (PDS)

  • Digitisation: Ration cards have been digitised to streamline beneficiary data and entitlement records. GPS technology tracks food grain movement from warehouses to fair price shops (FPS), reducing leakage.
  • Technology Integration: e-POS devices at FPS enable real-time monitoring of grain distribution, improving accuracy and efficiency.

Examples

  • Digitised Beneficiary Records: States like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat have digitised ration cards to streamline beneficiary verification and entitlements.
  • Computerised Stock Allocation: States such as Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu use computerised systems to manage food grain allocation and track stocks efficiently.
  • Smart Cards: Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha have introduced smart cards to securely store beneficiary details and prevent duplication.

  • One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC): Ensures portability of food security benefits, allowing beneficiaries to access subsidised grains anywhere in the country.
  • Social Audits: Community-led audits promote transparency and hold the system accountable.

About Aadhar

  • Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
    • UIDAI is a statutory body established under the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
  • Data Collected in the Aadhar includes Demographic (Name, gender, date of birth, and address) as well as Biometric (Fingerprints, iris scans, and facial photograph).
  • Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, allows the government to mandate Aadhaar for accessing welfare schemes funded by the Consolidated Fund of India or state funds.
  • As per the Supreme Court ruling, Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than six months.

Additional Reading: Public Distribution System

To get PDF version, Please click on "Print PDF" button.

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

Aiming for UPSC?

Download Our App

      
Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">






    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.