NOB-Bharat news: The Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD), Government of India, today showcased a series of AI-enabled and digital innovations transforming the 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 on “AI-Empowered Innovations for Public Distribution” has been jointly organised by the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP). The pavilion was inaugurated by Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, in the presence of Mr. Stefan Priesner, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, and Ms. Elisabeth Faure, Country Director and Representative, WFP India, along with senior officials of the Government of India and partner organisations.
AI Enabling Greater Responsiveness Across the PDS Value Chain
Speaking at the Summit, Shri Sanjeev Chopra stated that the Department is transitioning from ensuring transparency in the sector to ensuring greater responsiveness, enabled by the integration of Artificial Intelligence in operations. He noted that AI interventions have been incorporated across the entire PDS value chain from procurement of food grains, storage and movement, to distribution and settlement of food subsidy claims raised by States. AI-driven systems are strengthening efficiency, improving accountability, and enabling real time decision making. Chopra further stated that it is gratifying to witness tangible results within a short span of time. The deployment of AI is helping the Department deliver food subsidies to States more efficiently and serve nearly 800 million beneficiaries every month in a more transparent, responsive, and impactful manner.
India–WFP Partnership Advancing Innovation in Food Security
Ms. Elisabeth Faure, Country Director and Representative, WFP India, highlighted the strong and longstanding collaboration between WFP and the Department of Food & Public Distribution. She stated that the partnership, spanning over two decades, continues to focus on improving people’s lives and strengthening key Government of India schemes, particularly the Public Distribution System.
Among the innovations showcased at the exhibition are:
- Grain ATMs, which provide rapid and accurate delivery of foodgrain entitlements to beneficiaries through fully digital and AI-enabled systems.
- Smart Warehouse Solutions, equipped with sensor-based technologies to prevent food losses and improve storage efficiency, thereby enhancing food availability and accessibility.
- Route Optimisation Function, which streamlines transportation under the PDS, generating operational cost savings and contributing to reductions in carbon emissions through more efficient logistics planning.
Ms. Faure also informed that a Hackathon has been launched to encourage innovative solutions aimed at addressing last-mile nutrition gaps. Three emerging startups are presenting their solutions at the Summit as part of this initiative.
Key Highlights of the Exhibition
SMART PDS:
The unified national digital backbone integrating ration card management, allocation, procurement, storage, transportation, fair price shop operations, biometric authentication, and grievance redressal. Real-time analytics dashboards enable data-driven policy decisions at both Central and State levels.
Anna Chakra:
An AI-based movement planning system that optimises foodgrain transportation by analysing demand, stock availability, and logistics routes, reducing costs and transit time while strengthening supply-chain resilience.
Depot Darpan:
A smart warehousing monitoring platform ensuring improved infrastructure management, hygiene standards, and storage safety through structured inspections and technology-enabled oversight.
Automatic Grain Analysers:
Digital quality testing systems enhancing speed, transparency, and objectivity in procurement operations, thereby improving 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 more transparent subsidy claim settlement.
- Annapurti Grain ATMs: Automated dispensing machines ensuring accurate, dignified, and technology-enabled foodgrain distribution following biometric authentication.
Dignitaries also undertook a guided walkthrough of the exhibition, including demonstrations led by an AI-enabled robotic system showcasing live technology deployments. The exhibition is open to the public from 17th to 19th February 2026, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, at Hall No. 5, First Floor, Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The initiative underscores India’s commitment to leveraging Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies to strengthen food security architecture and enhance citizen-centric public service delivery at national scale.
