**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi visited an exhibition showcasing AI-enabled innovations in India's Public Distribution System (PDS) at the India-AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026 in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. The exhibition, titled “AI-Empowered Innovations for Public Distribution," was organized by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP). India is distributing free foodgrains to more than 80 crore beneficiaries under the Prime Minister's Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **AI and Technology in PDS:**
* Technology-driven reforms have reduced leakages and improved accountability.
* Initiatives like Smart Warehousing, Smart PDS, Anna Darpan, Anna Chakra and ASHA are strengthening transparency and operational efficiency.
* **Financial Impact:**
* Anna Chakra, a supply chain optimization initiative, has saved ₹250 crore in public funds.
* **Grievance Redressal:**
* The AI-enabled grievance redressal platform ASHA (Anna Sahayata Holistic Solution) contacts nearly 20 lakh beneficiaries monthly for feedback and forwards it to district administrations for resolution.
* **Exhibition Highlights:**
* **SMART PDS:** Unified digital backbone integrating ration card management, procurement, allocation, storage, and grievance redressal with real-time analytics.
* **Anna Chakra:** AI-based movement planning system optimizing foodgrain transportation.
* **Depot Darpan:** Smart warehousing monitoring platform.
* **Automatic Grain Analyzers:** Digital quality-testing systems.
* **Citizen-Centric Digital Platforms:** ASHA (multilingual grievance redressal) and SCAN (intelligent document processing for subsidy claims).
* **Annapurti Grain ATMs:** Automated dispensing machines with biometric authentication.
**Impact Analysis**
**Beneficiaries (80 Crore)**
* **Impact:** More efficient and transparent access to food grains. Reduction of leakages ensures intended beneficiaries receive support.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the ASHA platform to provide feedback and report grievances.
**Government (Central & State)**
* **Impact:** Improved efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the PDS, leading to cost savings and better public service delivery.
* **Action Required:** Utilize real-time analytics dashboards for data-driven decision-making. Maintain and monitor digital platforms.
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** Enhanced transparency and objectivity in procurement operations leading to strengthened confidence.
* **Action Required:** Participate in digital quality testing systems.
**District Administrations**
* **Impact:** Facilitated resolution of complaints received through the ASHA platform.
* **Action Required:** Take prompt action to resolve issues raised by beneficiaries.
Key Entities Referenced
Public Distribution System (PDS): India's system for distributing food and essential items to citizens at subsidized rates.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: The central government ministry responsible for food security and consumer protection in India.
India-AI Impact Summit 2026: A summit and expo showcasing the use of AI in various sectors in India, particularly the Public Distribution System.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: A food security welfare scheme providing free foodgrains to a large number of beneficiaries in India.
ASHA (Anna Sahayata Holistic Solution): An AI-enabled grievance redressal platform for the Public Distribution System, used to collect feedback from beneficiaries.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi Visits
Exhibition on AI-Driven Transformation of Public
Distribution System at India-AI Impact Summit
2026
Posted On: 18 FEB 2026 8:12PM by PIB Delhi
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi visited the exhibition
pavilion showcasing AI-enabled and digital innovations transforming India’s Public Distribution System
(PDS) at the India-AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026 being held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan,
New Delhi.
The exhibition pavilion titled “AI-Empowered Innovations for Public Distribution” has been jointly
organised by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, in collaboration with the World Food Programme
(WFP).
Shri Pralhad Joshi Highlights Technology-Driven, Leak-Proof PDSAddressing the Summit, Shri Pralhad Joshi stated that India is distributing free foodgrains to more than 80
crore beneficiaries under the Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana — an initiative unmatched in
scale globally. He emphasised that the Government’s commitment is to ensure that every grain procured
reaches the intended beneficiaries efficiently and transparently.
The Union Minister noted that technology-driven reforms have significantly reduced leakages and
improved accountability in the Public Distribution System, making it more efficient and citizen-centric.
₹250 Crore Saved Through Anna Chakra- Supply Chain Optimisation
Highlighting the impact of technological interventions, Shri Joshi said that initiatives such as Smart
Warehousing, Smart PDS, Anna Darpan, Anna Chakra and ASHA are strengthening transparency and
operational efficiency across the foodgrain supply chain.
He informed that Anna Chakra, a Supply Chain optimisation for foodgrain transportation, has resulted in
savings of nearly ₹250 crore of public funds by analysing demand, stock availability and logistics routes,
thereby reducing costs, transit time and improving supply-chain resilience.
The Minister further stated that the AI-enabled grievance redressal platform ASHA (Anna Sahayata
Holistic Solution) contacts nearly 20 lakh beneficiaries every month to collect feedback, which is
subsequently forwarded to district administrations for timely resolution of complaints.Key Highlights of the Exhibition
SMART PDS
A unified national digital backbone integrating ration card management, procurement, allocation, storage,
transportation, fair price shop operations, biometric authentication and grievance redressal. Real-time
analytics dashboards support data-driven decision-making at Central and State levels.
Anna Chakra
An AI-based movement planning system optimising foodgrain transportation by analysing demand, stock
availability and logistics routes, thereby reducing costs, transit time and improving supply-chain
resilience.
Depot Darpan
A smart warehousing monitoring platform ensuring improved infrastructure management, hygiene
standards and storage safety through technology-enabled inspections and oversight.
Automatic Grain Analysers
Digital quality-testing systems enhancing transparency, speed and objectivity in procurement operations,
thereby strengthening farmer confidence.
Citizen-Centric Digital Platforms
ASHA (Anna Sahayata Holistic Solution): Multilingual grievance redressal and citizen feedback system.
SCAN: Intelligent document processing platform enabling faster and transparent subsidy claim settlement.Annapurti Grain ATMs: Automated dispensing machines ensuring accurate and dignified foodgrain
distribution through biometric authentication.
Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Shri Sanjiv Chopra; Deputy Executive Director
and Chief Operating Officer, World Food Programme, Mr Carl Skau; and Country Director and
Representative, WFP India, Ms Elizabeth Faure were present on the occasion.
These initiatives reflect India’s commitment to leveraging Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies
to strengthen the national food security architecture and enhance citizen-centric public service delivery at
scale.
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IA
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