Digital Initiatives for PDS

20 Nov 2025

Digital Initiatives for PDS

Recently, the Government launched new digital initiatives to modernise the Public Distribution System (PDS).

About the Digital Initiatives to Strengthen PDS 

  • Bhandara 360: Bhandara 360 is a cloud-based warehouse management platform designed to streamline storage operations and ensure real-time monitoring.
  • Smart EXIM Warehouse: Smart EXIM Warehouse is an advanced digital system aimed at enhancing export–import warehousing efficiency and reducing logistics turnaround time.
  • Anna Darpan: Anna Darpan is an integrated cloud-based operations system that provides end-to-end visibility of foodgrain movement across the PDS network.
  • ASHA (AI Solution for Holistic Automation): ASHA is an artificial intelligence–based solution developed to automate decision-making, improve forecasting and strengthen accountability in food supply chains.
    • ASHA will take  feedback from beneficiaries under the public distribution system and direct officials to take action on grievances expeditiously.
  • Modern SILO Facility at Malout, Gujarat: The SILO facility is a state-of-the-art storage infrastructure supporting scientific grain handling and long-term preservation.

About the Public Distribution System (PDS)

  • The Public Distribution System is a government-led mechanism that supplies essential commodities at subsidised prices to ensure food security.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
  • Evolution of PDS
    • 1960s: PDS expanded in response to food shortages, mainly serving urban scarcity zones.
    • 1992 (RPDS): The Revamped Public Distribution System strengthened outreach in remote and vulnerable regions.
    • 1997 (TPDS): The Targeted Public Distribution System shifted focus to BPL households with differentiated pricing.
    • 2000 onwards (AAY): Antyodaya Anna Yojana provided highly subsidised foodgrains to the poorest families, with expansions up to 2.5 crore households by 2005.
    • 2013: National Food Security Act (NFSA) converted the PDS from a welfare scheme to a legal, rights-based entitlement, covering a significant portion of the population with legal rights to subsidized food grains.
    • 2023: Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY)(Since 1 jan, 2023), the government provided free food grains to Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Household beneficiaries under the NFSA to reduce their financial burden and ensure uniform nationwide implementation.
  • Structure: The PDS operates jointly between the Centre and States
    • Centre: Procurement and bulk allocation through FCI
    • States: Beneficiary identification, ration card issuance and FPS supervision.
  • Coverage: Up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population, which at Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore persons.

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Significance

  • The digital initiatives strengthen transparency, reduce logistics costs and ensure timely delivery of subsidised foodgrains to the poorest households.

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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

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