New Delhi: The Indian government’s ongoing digitisation efforts have significantly strengthened the Public Distribution System (PDS), resulting in the elimination of 5.8 crore fake ration cards through Aadhaar-based authentication and eKYC verification, the Union Food Ministry announced on Wednesday.
The revamped PDS now caters to 80.6 crore beneficiaries, with nearly 20.4 crore ration cards digitised, and 99.8% of them linked to Aadhaar. The initiative has drastically reduced system leakages and improved the targeting of food distribution, the ministry noted.
With 98.7% of beneficiaries’ credentials verified through biometric authentication, the system ensures more accurate identification and distribution of foodgrains. Furthermore, over 5.33 lakh e-PoS (electronic Point of Sale) devices have been deployed at fair-price shops across the country to facilitate Aadhaar-based verification during distribution.
“Aadhaar authentication now accounts for the distribution of approximately 98% of foodgrains, minimizing the risk of ineligible beneficiaries receiving rations and preventing pilferage,” the ministry emphasized. Additionally, the eKYC process has validated 64% of PDS beneficiaries, with ongoing verification at fair-price shops for the remaining individuals.
On the logistics front, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has implemented end-to-end supply chain management systems, including vehicle location tracking and real-time shipment monitoring in collaboration with Indian Railways, ensuring better food distribution and reducing delays.
The ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme has further enhanced the portability of benefits, allowing beneficiaries to access rations anywhere in India using their existing cards, regardless of their location.
By digitizing the entire PDS chain—from procurement to distribution—the government has created a transparent and efficient system, ensuring food security for genuine beneficiaries and eliminating fraud and ghost entries. This digital transformation has set a global benchmark for state-sponsored food security initiatives, according to the ministry.
