**Executive Summary**
The Department of Food & Public Distribution's Year End Review for 2025 highlights key activities and achievements, including food grain allocation under various schemes, initiatives for farmers' support, technological advancements in the Public Distribution System (PDS), and efforts to improve food storage infrastructure. Key areas of focus include the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan, and the Ethanol Blending Petrol (EBP) Programme. The review provides data and updates as of November 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY):**
* Extended for five years w.e.f. 1st January 2024.
* Approximately 80 crore persons are receiving food grains free of cost.
* **Annual Allocation of Foodgrains (2025-26):**
* Allocations are made under TPDS, OWS, and additional allocations for various schemes including AAY, PHH, PM Poshan, and others.
* Total allocation is 608.16 lakh tons, broken down by scheme, rice, wheat, and nutri-cereals.
* **Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Reforms:**
* 100% ration cards/beneficiaries' data have been digitized under NFSA in all States/UTs.
* 99.9% Aadhaar seeding of ration cards (at least one member).
* 99.8% Fair Price Shops automated using electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices.
* **Grievance Redressal Platform:**
* ASHA, an Al-driven citizen engagement and grievance-redressal platform launched.
* **Progress of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Plan:**
* Enabled in all 36 States/UTs, covering approximately 79.8 Crore NFSA beneficiaries.
* **Movement of Foodgrains:**
* FCI moved 9527 rakes of foodgrains (approx. 283.30 LMTs).
* Approximately 63.69 LMTs foodgrains moved via Road Movement.
* **Support to Farmers:**
* Procurement operations aim to provide remunerative prices to farmers.
* During Rabi Marketing Season 2025-26, 300.35 LMT of wheat was procured, benefiting 2513143 farmers.
* **Foodgrain Packaging Material:**
* Allocated 20.95 lakh jute bales in KMS 2025-26 (Central Pool) and 5.20 lakh jute bales in RMS 2026-27/KMS 2025-26 (Rabi crop).
* **Imposition of Wheat Stock Limit:**
* Stock limits imposed on traders, wholesalers, retailers, and processors until April 30, 2026.
* **Food Subsidy:**
* Rs. 136908.67 crore food subsidy released to FCI & DCP States during FY 2025-26 (as on 26.11.2025).
* **Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)]:**
* Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice launched.
* **Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF):**
* Scheme with corpus of Rs. 1000 crore approved to encourage post-harvest lending.
* 40 banks onboarded as of 30.11.2025.
* **Implementation of Anna Chakra (Route Optimization):**
* Route optimization in PDS supply chain completed in 31 states, reducing transportation costs and CO2 emissions.
* **Brief on Steel Silos:**
* Steel silos are being created in PPP mode to modernize storage infrastructure.
* **Depot Darpan Portal:**
* Digital platform launched to improve monitoring, transparency, and efficiency of food-grain storage depots.
* **Bhandaran 360:**
* New ERP platform launched in the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC).
* **Sugar Sector:**
* India is the second largest producer and the largest consumer of sugar in the world.
* **Ethanol Blending Petrol Programme:**
* Fixed the target of 20% blending of ethanol with petrol by Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26.
* **Digitization in Sugar Sector:**
* Dedicated module developed on National Single Window System (NSWS).
**Impact Analysis**
**Beneficiaries (AAY, PHH, NFSA):**
* **Impact:** Continued access to subsidized or free foodgrains, alleviating economic hardship.
* **Action Required:** Awareness of ongoing program details and eligibility criteria.
**Farmers:**
* **Impact:** Ensured remunerative prices for their produce through procurement operations. Access to credit through the e-NWR based pledge financing scheme.
* **Action Required:** Sell produce at MSP through FCI/State Agencies or open market; Utilize e-NWR pledge financing.
**FCI and State Agencies:**
* **Impact:** Manage procurement, storage, and distribution of foodgrains; Implement technological upgrades like Depot Darpan Portal.
* **Action Required:** Ensure efficient procurement and distribution, implement technological advancements.
**Sugar Mills:**
* **Impact:** Access to revenue through ethanol blending and sale of byproducts.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the Ethanol Blending Petrol (EBP) Programme and implement best practices for sugar sales.
**State Governments:**
* **Impact:** Implementation of PDS, access to food subsidy reimbursement for DCP States.
* **Action Required:** Efficient management of PDS, adherence to digitization and monitoring requirements.
**Banks:**
* **Impact:** Onboard to Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing.
* **Action Required:** Provide pledge loans against electronic negotiable warehouse receipts (e-NWRs).
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): A scheme launched to ameliorate hardships faced by the poor due to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, providing free foodgrains to NFSA beneficiaries.
Department of Food & Public Distribution: The primary subject; responsible for food security and distribution policies.
National Food Security Act (NFSA): Referenced law under which food grains allocation is made, including Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) beneficiaries.
Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)]: A scheme to make atta (wheat flour) and rice available to general consumers at subsidised rates through cooperative organizations.
Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF): A scheme to facilitate pledge financing for farmers using electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs).
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Department of Food & Public Distribution: YEAR
END REVIEW - 2025
प्रव तथ: 31 DEC 2025 5:12PM by PIB Delhi
Following are the major highlights of the activities of the Department of Food & Public Distribution
during the year 2025:
1. PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA (PMGKAY)
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was launched with the specific purpose of
ameliorating the hardships faced by the poor and needy due to economic disruptions caused by the
COVID-19 outbreak in the country. In view of COVID crisis, the allocation of free foodgrains, under
PMGKAY was in addition to regular allocation done. A total quantity of approx. 1118 LMT foodgrains
had been allocated under PMGKAY (Phase I-VII) for the period of 28 months with a total planned
financial outlay of about Rs. 3.91 lakh crore.
The Central Government, in order to remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to ensure
nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the Act, had decided to provide foodgrains free of
cost to NFSA beneficiaries i.e. AAY households and PHH beneficiaries,for a period of one year beginning
from 1st January 2023 under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). Prior to that,
under NFSA, subsidized food grains were distributed at Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 per kg for wheat and at
Rs 1 per kg for coarse grains to beneficiaries. The period of distribution for free of cost food grains under
the PMGKAY has been extended for five years w.e.f. 1st January, 2024.
At present, against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore persons, about 80 crore persons are receiving
food grains free of cost.
2. Annual Allocation of Foodgrains for 2025-26 under TPDS, OWS and Additional allocation
(Flood, festival etc)
The Department of Food & PD makes allocation of food grains under NFSA {Antyodaya Anna Yojana
(AAY), Priority Household (PHH), Tide Over, PM Poshan Scheme, Wheat Based Nutrition Programme [a
component of Umbrella ICDS]} and Other Welfare Schemes such as, Scheme for Adolescent Girls,
Annapurna Scheme and Welfare Institutions & Hostels Scheme (WIH). The Scheme-wise allocation for
the year 2025-26 is as follows:
Annual Allocation of food grain 2025-26:-
In lakh tons
Name of Scheme Rice Wheat Nutri- Total
cerealsA TPDS (NFSA ALLOCATION)
Antyoday Anna Yojana (AAY) 71.66 27.75 0.01 99.42
Priority Household (PHH) 277.70 143.96 7.83 429.48
TPDS(Tide Over) 21.18 4.91 0.00 26.09
Total 370.53 176.62 7.83 554.99
B OTHER WELFARE SCHEMES
PM POSHAN 18.14 3.87 0.30 22.31
WBNP(ICDS) 11.86 10.97 0.22 23.05
Welfare institutions and Hostel 4.76 0.96 0.00 5.72
Scheme for adolescent Girls(SAG) 0.27 0.28 0.02 0.58
Annapurna 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 35.03 16.08 0.54 51.65
C ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION (Festival, calamity, additional TPDS etc.)
Natural Calamity etc 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01
(MSP Rates)
Festival/Additional Requirement 0.92 0.60 0.00 1.52
etc
(Economic Cost)
Total 0.92 0.61 0.00 1.52
A+B+C Grand total 406.48 193.32 8.37 608.16
3. Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) reforms100% ration cards/beneficiaries’ data have been digitized under NFSA in all States/UTs. Details of almost
20.55 Crore ration Cards covering around 79.8 Crore beneficiaries are available on transparency portals
of States/UTs.
More than 99.9% Aadhaar seeding of ration cards (at least one member).
About 99.8% (5.50 Lakh of total 5.51 Lakh) Fair Price Shops (FPSs) in the country are automated using
electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices for transparent and ensured distribution of subsidized food grains
to beneficiaries.
Under distribution of food grains, more than 98% of the transactions have been recorded
biometrically/Aadhaar authenticated by States/UTs.
4. Grievance Redressal Platform
The Department launched ASHA, an AI-driven citizen engagement and grievance-redressal platform
under the IndiaAI Mission. Using Bhashini’s multilingual capability, WhatsApp and IVRS, it captures
beneficiary feedback post-ration distribution, applies sentiment analysis, and auto-routes grievances,
ensuring responsive and citizen-centric governance in the Public Distribution System.
5. Progress of One Nation One Ration Card plan
Starting with inter-State portability in just 4 States in August 2019, so far, the ONORC plan has been
enabled in all 36 States/UTs (across the country) covering around 79.8 Crore NFSA beneficiaries, i.e.,
almost 100% NFSA population in the country.
Since inception of ONORC plan in August 2019, more than 195.9 Crore portability transactions have been
recorded under the ONORC plan in the country delivering more than 464.7 LMT food grains, which
includes both inter-State and intra-State transactions.
During year 2025, about 32.6 crore portability transactions were performed in 10 months of 2025
delivering around 64 LMT food grains including inter-state and intra-state portability transactions of
NFSA and PMGKAY. Presently, more than 3.2 crore portability transactions are being recorded every
month under PMGKAY foodgrain distribution.
6. Movement of foodgrains
i. FCI has moved total 9527 rakes of foodgrains with approximate quantity of 283.30 LMTs to
meet the requirement of NFSA/various other schemes
ii. Approximately, 63.69 LMTs foodgrains have been moved via Road Movement, to cater to the
requirements of neighbouring consuming centers.
iii. 206 containerized rakes moved with approx. freight savings of Rs. 3.01 crore.
iv. FCI is also undertaking multi-modal transportation of rice involving coastal shipping and road
movement from designated depots of Andhra Pradesh to designated depots in Kerala and
A&N Islands, and Karnataka to Lakshadweep. 0.22 LMT foodgrain stocks were moved via
this mode, considering the conventional mode of transportation.
7. Support to Farmers
Procurement Operation: The main objectives of food management are procurement of foodgrains from
farmers at remunerative prices, distribution of foodgrains to consumers, particularly the vulnerable
sections of society at affordable prices and maintenance of buffer stock for food security and price
stability. The Central Government extends price support to paddy, coarse grains and wheat through the
FCI and State Agencies. All the foodgrains (wheat and paddy) conforming to the prescribed specificationsoffered for sale at specified centres are bought by the public procurement agencies at the Minimum
Support Price (MSP) inclusive of bonus announced, if any. The farmers have the option to sell their
produce to FCI/State Agencies at MSP or in the open market as is advantageous to them.
During Rabi Marketing Season 2025-26, a quantity of 300.35 LMT of wheat was procured through which
2513143 number of farmers were benefited.
During Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25, a quantity of 832.17 LMT of paddy has been procured through
which 11858507 number of farmers were benefited. During ongoing KMS 2025-26, 243.48 LMT of paddy
has been procured and 2122273 number of farmers have benefited till 17.11.2025.
8. Procurement of Coarse Grains/ Millets
The procurement of coarse grains/millets during the last three years and current year is as under:
Fig in Metric Tons
KMS COMMODITY Total
2022-23 JOWAR 85197
BAJRA 182005
MAIZE 13122
RAGI 456745
TOTAL 737069
2023-24 JOWAR 323163
BAJRA 696457
MAIZE 4532
RAGI 230920
TOTAL 1255073
2024-25 JOWAR 414855
BAJRA 343352
MAIZE 19482
RAGI 394613
TOTAL 11723022025-26* JOWAR 3878
BAJRA 57225
MAIZE 2823
RAGI 438
MINOR MILLETS -
TOTAL 64365
* Procurement during KMS 2025-26 (Kharif) is still ongoing (figs. As on 16.11.2025)
9. Foodgrain packaging Material:
In view of the capacity of production by Jute mills and requirement by States/FCI, this Department has
allocated 20.95 lakh jute bales in KMS 2025-26(Central Pool), and 5.20 lakh jute bales (upto December)
in RMS 2026-27/KMS 2025-26(Rabi crop) to State Procuring Agencies and FCI.
10. Imposition of Wheat Stock Limit:
In order to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation, the
Government of India has imposed wheat stock limits on 27th May 2025 which is revised on 26th August
2025, applicable to Trades/Wholesalers, Retailers, Big Chain Retailers and Processors for all States and
Union Territories until 30th April 2026 for all States and Union Territories as under:
Entities Wheat Stock Limit
Traders / Wholesalers 2000 MT
Retailers 8 MT for each Retail outlet.
Big Chain Retailers Upto 8 MT for each retail outlet subject to maximum quantity of
(8 multiplied by total no. of outlets) MT. This will be the
maximum stock that can be held at all their retail outlets and
depots put together
Processors 60% of Monthly Installed Capacity (MIC) multiplied by remaining
months of FY 2025-26.
11. Food Subsidy
DFPD reimburses the expenditure incurred by States, that have opted for Decentralized Procurement
(DCP) mode for procurement/distribution of food-grains to the beneficiaries of Central Schemes as per
allocation made by Government of India. Further, funds are also released by Food Corporation of India
(FCI) to the States for the quantum of food-grains handed over to them by States for Central Pool. Theaforesaid food subsidy released to DCP States and FCI is made as per budgetary allocation made by MoF.
The details of food subsidy released to FCI & DCP States during FY 2024-25 and current FY 2025-26 (as
on 26.11.2025) is as below:
(in Rs crore)
Scheme 2024-25 2025-26*
FCI 129089.4 86517
DCP States (including DBT) 70410.6 50391.67
Total 199500.00 136908.67
* Rs. 2,03,000 crore has been allocated by Ministry of Finance in FY 2025-26 towards release of food
subsidy to FCI and DCP States (Rs. 1,29,080.90 crore for FCI and Rs. 73,919.10 crore for DCP States.
Further, the details of food subsidy released to DCP States is at Annexure-I.
Achievements during FY 2025-26 are as under:-
(a) Implementation of SCAN- FCS module: - To accelerate the processing of State’s proposals for
fixation of final incidental rates with a view to settlement of final food subsidy claim, Department of Food
and Public Distribution has implemented the SCAN FCS module during the year. This will facilitate the
submission and issue of FCS in a time bound manner to ensure final settlement. SCAN embodies the spirit
of Digital India, delivering on the promise of efficiency, transparency and empowerment.
(b) Authorization of Panchayat in Procurement of Wheat: - With an aim to accelerate procurement
operations and to achieve the estimated targets of procurement of wheat during RMS 2025-26 in a time-
bound manner and considering the requests made by some State Governments, it was clarified that the
commission @Rs. 27/- per quintal, as is being paid to co-operative societies, is also payable to
Departmental arrangements by State Governments, including FPOs/SHGs/Panchayats, if procurement of
wheat is done through them and activities meant for Co-operative Societies are performed by them for
RMS 2025-26.
12. Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)]
Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice were launched on 06.11.2023 and 06.02.2024 respectively under Open
Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)] to make available atta (wheat four) and rice to general
consumers at subsidized rates. Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice is being sold through three central cooperative
organizations viz. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED),
Kendriya Bhandar and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF).
During Phase II upto 30.06.2025, Bharat Atta and Bharat rice were sold at MRP of Rs. 30/kg and Rs.
34/kg. 3.34 LMT of Bharat Atta and 2.15 LMT of Bharat Rice were sold during Phase II of Bharat Brand.
Phase-III of sale of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice is upto 30.06.2026. During this phase, MRP for Bharat
Atta has been fixed at Rs.31.50 per kg whereas MRP for Bharat Rice has been fixed at Rs.34 per kg for
5kg and 10 kg packs, and at Rs.32 per kg for the 30 kg pack up to 31.10.2025. With effect from
01.11.2025, MRP of Bharat Rice has been fixed at Rs.35 per kg for 5 kg and 10 kg packs, and at Rs.33 per
kg for the 30 kg pack. A quantity of 5 LMT wheat for sale of Bharat Atta and 5 LMT rice for sale of
Bharat Rice has been allocated, at present for sale during this phase.Besides, 23.44 LMT of rice has been sold by FCI till 18.11.2025 in the categories 'private parties,
Cooperative/Cooperative Federation through e-auction and to Small private traders /Entrepreneurs/
individuals from FCI Depots' under OMSS(D).
As on 18.11.2025, 31.71 LMT of rice has been sold during the year, to State Governments/Corporations of
State Govt without participating in e-Auction and to community Kitchens.
During 2025 as on 18.11.2025, 33.06 LMT of rice has been sold to ethanol distilleries for production of
ethanol.
50 LMT of Custom Milled Rice (CMR) with 10% broken rice and 10 LMT of broken rice produced under
Rice Milling Transformation scheme have been allocated for sale to private parties through e-auction
under OMSS(D) 2025-26.
24.45 LMT of wheat has been sold in year 2025 till 18.11.2025, to private parties through e-auction and to
central cooperative organizations for sale as Bharat Atta.
13. Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF)
The Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CCS-NPF) has been approved with
corpus of Rs. 1000 crore. This scheme is a Central Sectors Scheme to be implemented by Department of
Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) from 2024-25 till end of 16th Finance Commission cycle i.e. till
2030-31. The Credit guarantee scheme is for pledge financing availed of by farmers against electronic
negotiable warehouse receipts (e-NWRs) after depositing commodities in accredited warehouses.
The credit guarantee scheme will help in increasing post-harvest lending against e-NWRs and thereby
play a role in improving farmers’ income. Credit Guarantee Scheme will instil confidence among lenders
and improve trust on warehouseman to increase post-harvest finance through e-NWRs.
This scheme majorly focuses on Small and Marginal Farmers, Women, SC, ST and Divyangjan (PwD)
farmers with a minimal guarantee fee. Besides, small traders (MSMEs) are also benefited under this
scheme. This scheme covers the pledge loans extended on the NWRs issued against agricultural and
horticultural commodities. Scheme covers the loss incurred by the bank due to credit and warehouse man
risk.
Other non-measurable macro-economic outcomes include upgradation and standardization of
warehousing, reduction in post-harvest losses, scientific storage of agri commodities, improvement in
liquidity in rural areas, equitable growth of warehousing sector and improvement in commodity trading.
This scheme was published in Gazette Notification on 13.02.2025. On-boarding of banks with NCGTC
has started and as on 30.11.2025, 40 banks have been on- boarded.
The updated status on Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based pledge financing (CGS-NPF) as on
30.11.2025 is as under:-
Number of banks On-boarded : 40
Number of guarantee issued : 95
Amount of guarantee issued : Rs. 22.88 Crores
14. Implementation of Anna Chakra (Route Optimization) in PDS supply chain
Route optimization is a strategic approach to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of PDS supply
chain in India. In the context of the Public Distribution System (PDS), it involves utilizing optimisation
algorithms developed by IIT-Delhi and United Nations World Food Programme to define optimal
warehouse-to-warehouse and further to FPS (Fair Price Shop) mappings, which ensures the reduction of
transportation costs and improved operational efficiency, thereby enabling cost effective and timely
delivery of food grains to beneficiaries.Optimisation exercise involved selecting the most efficient mappings for transporting of food grains,
thereby saving time and reducing costs using Operations Research. This exercise marks a transformative
step towards building a more efficient and cost-effective food supply chain.
With the completion of one year into the optimisation exercise, route optimisation assessments have been
completed in the target 31 states. Results show tremendous promise, with transportation costs is estimated
to be reduced by around Rs 250 crore per year of which saving of Rs 238 Crores saving has been reported
by the states.
The inter-state route optimisation of movement of food grains from the surplus to deficit states have also
been completed by integration with Railway’s Freight Operating Information System (FOIS). It is to be
noted that the distances for optimisation were provided through the indigenous Gati Shakti Master Plan
Platform.
By opting for the optimal movement routes, states reduced the average distances up to 50% percent and
reduced the CO2 emissions by up to 35%.
This initiative is not only an economic win but also an environmental one. Global food miles- representing
the distance food travels from production to consumption- account for nearly one-fifth of total food
system emissions. Optimising India's food distribution routes can contribute significantly to reducing CO2
emissions, aligning with the country's climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement and its
Conference of Parties (COP) targets. The reduction in fuel consumption will also help conserve the
strategic foreign exchange reserves. This step would not only strengthen India's commitment to a climate-
smart supply chain but also potentially generate financial benefits.
Based on the learning of optimisation of the PDS Distribution Supply Chain, the team of IIT Delhi and
World Food Programme have also developed the optimisation plans for ongoing Kharif Marketing Season
2025-26 for 10 Paddy procuring states. The team will work on bringing efficiencies to the Procurement
Supply Chain across most of the paddy and wheat procuring states.
This exercise aims to limit the human interventions which adversely impact the operational efficiency,
additional logistics cost and pilferage in PDS Supply chain. State Governments have been provided with
Anna Chakra Optimisation Tools and FCI has been provided with the Rake Optimisation Tool to optimise
the Grain Supply Chain across the country. The automation of Supply Chain Decisions is a giant leap in
line with the Hon’ble PM’s Gati Shakti initiative.
15. Brief on Steel Silos
With a view to modernize and upgrade the storage infrastructure for food grains and to ramp-up the
storage capacity in India, steel silos are being created in PPP mode.
Under the Circuit model, Silos of capacity 5.50 Lakh MT are operational. Under Railway siding & Road-
fed model, Silos of capacity 20.25 Lakh MT are functional and 4.00 Lakh MT are under construction.
Now, Department of Food & Public Distribution is creating capacity under Hub and Spoke Model Silos
where “Hub” silos have a dedicated railway siding and container depot facility. While the transportation
from “Spoke” Silos to Hub Silos is undertaken through road, transportation from Hub to Hub is via rail.
Under this model, tenders have been awarded for construction of silos at 80 locations with 34.875 Lakh
MT capacity in Phase-I. Out of this, a capacity of 3.75 Lakh MT at 05 locations has been completed and
31.125 Lakh MT at 75 locations is under construction.
Further, under Hub & Spoke Phase-II, tenders have been awarded for construction of silos at 54 locations
with 25.125 Lakh MT capacity.Steel silos are traditionally suitable for Wheat storage. On a pilot basis, steel silos for storage of Rice have
been constructed at Kaimur and Buxar in Bihar (12,500 MT each) and based on the results, more rice silos
will be created in future.
16. Depot Darpan Portal
The Depot Darpan Portal is a digital platform launched by the Department of Food and Public Distribution
(DFPD) to improve the monitoring, transparency, and operational efficiency of food-grain storage depots
of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) under the Public
Distribution System (PDS). Through this portal, depot and warehouse managers upload geo-tagged data
related to infrastructure, operations, and the financial performance of each depot.
The Portal uses a composite scoring mechanism that evaluates depots across two broad categories —
infrastructure (including safety, storage conditions, technology adoption, and compliance) and operational
parameters (such as stock turnover, losses, space utilisation, and manpower costs). Based on these
assessments, each depot receives a star rating, providing a quick and comprehensive measure of its
performance.
The portal is integrated with IoT sensors, CCTV systems, real-time dashboards, and AI-based tools, which
enable continuous monitoring of critical parameters like temperature, humidity, CO₂ and phosphine gas
levels, unauthorized entry, vehicle movements, and bag counts.
To ensure reliability, validation mechanisms are incorporated through 100% verification by supervisory
officers along with random third-party audits. Additionally, a mobile application component allows senior
officials to conveniently access depot ratings, dashboards, and performance metrics anytime and
anywhere.
17. Bhandaran 360
Bhandaran 360, a new ERP platform launched in the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), integrates
41 functional modules across HR, finance, marketing, warehouse management, and project monitoring,
while linking with 35 external systems including customs and port gateways, FCI and NAFED. It
standardises warehouse operations nationwide, ensuring transparent, streamlined and error-free processes.
18. Sugar Sector
The Indian sugar industry is an important agro-based industry that impacts rural livelihoods of about 5
crore sugarcane farmers & their families and around 5 lakh workers directly employed in the sugar
factories. Employment is also generated in various activities relating to transport, trade servicing of
machinery and supply of agriculture inputs. India is the second largest producer and the largest consumer
of sugar in the world. Today, Indian sugar industry's annual output is more than ₹1 lakh crore
There were 534 operational sugar factories in the country in sugar season 2024-25. Average annual
production of sugarcane is now increased to about 4500-5000 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) which is inter-
alia used to produce around 260-300 LMT of sugar after diverting about 30-40 LMT sugar for ethanol
production.
As a result of pro-farmers measures taken by the Govt., about 99.9% of cane dues of earlier sugar seasons
have been cleared. For the previous sugar season 2024-25 (Oct-Sept), against cane dues payable of Rs.
102687 crores, about Rs. 100501 crores have been paid and only Rs. 2186 crore dues are to be paid. Thus,
about 98% cane dues have been paid to farmers.
19. Ethanol Blending Petrol ProgrammeEthanol is an agro-based product which is used for blending with petrol as fuel and many other industrial
uses including manufacturing hand sanitizers. It is produced from a by-product of the sugar industry,
namely molasses as well as starchy food grains. In years of surplus production of sugarcane, when prices
are depressed, the sugar industry is unable to make timely payment of cane price to farmers and to find a
permanent solution to address the problem of excess sugar and improve the liquidity of sugar mills by
helping them to clear their cane dues on time, Government is encouraging sugar mills to divert excess
sugarcane to ethanol. Government of India has been implementing Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP)
Programme throughout the country wherein Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) sell blended petrol. Under
EBP Programme, Government has fixed the target of 20% blending of ethanol with petrol by Ethanol
Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26.
Till year 2014, ethanol distillation capacity of molasses-based distilleries was less than 200 crore litres.
Supply of ethanol to OMCs was only 38 crore litres with blending levels of only 1.53 % in ethanol supply
year (ESY) 2013-14. However, in past 10 years due to positive policy interventions made by the
Government, existing capacity of ethanol production in the country (as on 31.10.2025) has increased to
1953 crore litres (980 crore liters of grain based and 973 crore liters of molasses/ dual-feed based
distilleries). During Ethanol Supply Year (Nov-Oct) 2024-25, 19.24% blending has been successfully
achieved. Successful implementation of Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme has led to
multiple benefits in various aspects:
Sale of ethanol has resulted in better cash flows for sugar mills resulting in prompt payment to cane
farmers. In last 10 years (2014-15 to 2024-25), sugar mills have earned revenue of more than ₹ 1.29
lakh crores from sale of ethanol which has improved the financial condition of sugar mills.
As a result of this effective government policy, investment opportunities worth over ₹ 42,000/-
crore emerged, leading to the establishment of new distilleries in rural areas and contributing to
direct and indirect employment generation.
20. Digitization in Sugar Sector
To promote ease of doing business, bringing transparency and to have all the relevant data of sugar mills
and ethanol industry at one place, a dedicated module has been developed on National Single Window
System (NSWS). DFPD in collaboration with Invest India automated various compliance of the sugar
mills on NSWS portal. Also, the monthly information has also been digitalized and about 535 sugar mills
are filing the same on monthly basis. Further, to ensure real-time data availability, improve data accuracy
and to eliminate redundant data and manual intervention, the process for sharing the monthly data in
digitalized form through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) on National Single Window System
(NSWS) has been initiated. In addition to above, a MIS dashboard, namely ‘Chini Darpan’ Portal has also
been developed for release of monthly sugar sale quota. This will ensure transparency and accuracy in
sugar sales data.
Annexure I
State-wise breakup of food subsidy released to DCP States is as under:
(Rs. in Crore)
Year 2024-25 2025-26 (as on 31.10.2025)
Assam# 9.36
Bihar 9725.40 7393.98Punjab 2572.72 1816.19
Madhya Pradesh 10189.04 7079.00
Andhra Pradesh 8398.98 4702.22
Telangana 4178.27 2822.66
Uttar Pradesh 9.09 119.92
West Bengal 8899.88 9352.14
Chhattisgarh 5695.55 1958.15
Uttrakhand 1159.26 80.75
Tamil Nadu 6033.90 5620.42
Odisha 9948.83 6140.07
Karnataka 1281.18 935.79
Gujarat 138.87
Kerala 1062.36 471.23
Maharashtra 327.74 1458.49
Jharkhand @ 502.99 233.76
Tripura 64.26
DBT* 221.95 197.54
Total (DCP, DBT) 70410.60 50391.67
Note:-
Jharkhand was DCP for KMS 2016-17 (only for 1 district) 2017-18 (only for 5 District), 2018-19 (only for
6 District). They have adopted Non-DCP in KMS 2019-20. Adopted DCP in FY 2023-24.
*Under DBT scheme, subsidy is released to UTs of Chandigarh, Puducherry and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
w.e.f. 2015-16.
#Assam is a DCP State for 2 districts
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