**Executive Summary**
On June 18, 2026, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi launched a state-of-the-art AI and IoT-based Smart Warehousing System to modernize India’s foodgrain storage ecosystem. The initiative covers 215 Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) warehouses and is being deployed in 150 Food Corporation of India (FCI) facilities to enhance operational transparency and efficiency. Key actions include the adoption of new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the felicitation of top-performing warehouses under the Depot Darpan framework.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **System Implementation and Scale**
* Represents the world’s largest deployment of AI and IoT technologies in public sector foodgrain warehousing.
* Fully implemented across 215 CWC bag-based warehouses, with ongoing deployment in 150 FCI warehouses.
* Integrates with existing ERP systems for automated record generation and advanced analytics.
* **Technological Features**
* **Gate Automation:** Utilizes FASTag and ANPR-based systems for vehicle entry.
* **Access and Security:** Employs intelligent access control via geo-tagged smart locks and face recognition.
* **Inventory and Monitoring:** Features AI-enabled bag counting, object detection, and IoT-based monitoring of environmental parameters.
* **Hazard Detection:** Includes AI-powered surveillance for the early detection of fire, smoke, and rodents.
* **Operational Benefits**
* Significant reduction in vehicle turnaround time (TAT).
* Enhanced transparency and strengthened compliance monitoring.
* Improved manpower productivity and real-time visibility of warehouse operations.
* Promotion of scientific storage practices to ensure better preservation of foodgrains.
* **Broader Strategic Alignment**
* Supports national visions including Digital India, IndiaAI Mission, PM GatiShakti, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
* Complements existing digital initiatives such as SMART PDS, Anna Chakra, and Depot Darpan.
* Contributes to long-term food security by ensuring subsidies reach genuine beneficiaries.
**Impact Analysis**
**Warehouse Operators (CWC and FCI)**
**Impact**
Operators will experience a shift toward technology-driven management, characterized by automated inventory tracking and enhanced hazard detection. High-performing units are now recognized and benchmarked under the Depot Darpan assessment framework.
**Action Required**
Staff must implement the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlined in the newly released "Smart Warehousing Manual" for the operation of IoT-enabled systems.
**Farmers and PDS Beneficiaries**
**Impact**
Over 80 crore beneficiaries benefit from strengthened food security and the scientific preservation of grains. Digital reforms have already improved transparency by removing 2.43 crore ineligible ration cards.
**Action Required**
No direct action is required, though beneficiaries will interact with a more transparent and targeted delivery system.
**Fair Price Shop (FPS) Dealers and Mandi Personnel**
**Impact**
These stakeholders receive updated technical guidance and structured frameworks for grain handling and governance.
**Action Required**
Relevant personnel should consult the newly unveiled "Practical Guide for Safe Grain Storage at Mandis" and the "Pocket Handbook for FPS Dealers" to align with updated storage and distribution standards.
Key Entities Referenced
Smart Warehousing System: An AI and IoT-based platform launched to modernize foodgrain storage through automated gate control, bag counting, and real-time environmental monitoring.
Depot Darpan: An assessment framework and digital platform used to monitor warehouse performance and facilitate the modernization of foodgrain procurement and storage.
Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD): The primary government department responsible for implementing the Smart Warehousing System and overseeing India's foodgrain storage ecosystem.
Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC): A public sector undertaking that has implemented the Smart Warehousing System across 215 bag-based foodgrain warehouses.
Food Corporation of India (FCI): The agency responsible for managing foodgrain logistics and deploying the Smart Warehousing System in 150 additional warehouses.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi Launches
Smart Warehousing System for Foodgrain
Storage
Best Performing Warehouses of CWC and FCI Felicitated
under Depot Darpan Framework
प्रव तथ: 18 JUN 2026 6:44PM by PIB Delhi
In a major step towards modernising India's foodgrain storage ecosystem, the Department of Food and
Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, today launched
the Smart Warehousing System for foodgrain storage at a ceremony held at Bharat Mandapam, New
Delhi. The system represents the world's largest deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of
Things (IoT) based technologies in public sector foodgrain warehousing.
The Smart Warehousing System was inaugurated by Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon'ble Union Minister for
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, in the presence of Smt.
Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, Hon'ble Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution.
This initiative has been implemented across 215 bag-based foodgrain warehouses of the Central
Warehousing Corporation (CWC), while the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is deploying the system in
an additional 150 warehouses.The Smart Warehousing System integrates advanced technologies such as FASTag and ANPR-based gate
automation, intelligent access control through geo-tagged smart locks, AI-enabled bag counting, face
recognition systems, object detection, IoT-based monitoring of environmental parameters, and AI-powered
surveillance for fire, smoke and rodent detection. This platform also supports ERP integration, automated
record generation and advanced analytics for warehouse operations.
This technology-driven system is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency by reducing
vehicle turnaround time (TAT), enhancing transparency, strengthening compliance monitoring, improving
manpower productivity, enabling early hazard detection and providing real-time visibility of warehouse
operations.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Pralhad Joshi, Honorable minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution, highlighted that the Government is committed to strengthening India's food security
architecture through technology-enabled reforms. He stated that the Smart Warehousing System will
ensure scientific storage and better preservation of foodgrains, benefitting farmers, warehouse operators
and over 80 crore beneficiaries covered under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The Minister also underlined that the Government's digitisation initiatives are aimed at ensuring that food
subsidies reach genuine beneficiaries. Through various reforms and digital interventions, over 2.43 crore
ineligible ration cards have been identified and removed, thereby improving transparency and ensuring
targeted delivery of benefits.
Over the past few years, DFPD has introduced several transformative digital initiatives, including SMART
PDS, Anna Chakra, Depot Darpan, ASHA, SCAN, Anna Darpan and other technology-driven platforms
that have leveraged AI and ML to strengthen procurement, storage, logistics and foodgrain distribution
systems across the country.
During the event, the Department felicitated the Best Performing 20 Warehouses of CWC and FCI
identified under the Depot Darpan assessment framework.
The occasion also witnessed the unveiling of several knowledge and outreach publications, including
"Practical Guide for Safe Grain Storage at Mandis/Procurement Centres", "Pocket Handbook for FPS
Dealers", "12 Years of Ensuring Food Security", "Anna and Algorithms: Advancing to Next-Gen
Governance in the PDS (2024–2026)", and the Smart Warehousing Manual containing Standard Operating
Procedures for operation of IoT-enabled systems.
The launch of the Smart Warehousing System marks another significant milestone in the Government's
efforts to build a modern, efficient and technology-driven foodgrain management ecosystem. The
initiative aligns with the national vision of Digital India, IndiaAI Mission, PM GatiShakti and
Atmanirbhar Bharat, and is expected to contribute significantly towards strengthening long-term food
security in the country.****
IA/RP
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2274785) आगंतुक पटल : 642
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही , Gujarati , Kannada