Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, visited the exhibition pavilion on AI-enabled transformation of India’s Public Distribution System at the India AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan.
The pavilion, titled AI Empowered Innovations for Public Distribution, has been jointly organised by the Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in collaboration with the World Food Programme.
Addressing the gathering, Pralhad Joshi highlighted the scale of India’s food security architecture, stating that more than 80 crore beneficiaries are receiving free foodgrains under the Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, making it one of the largest food distribution programmes in the world. He underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that every grain procured reaches intended beneficiaries in an efficient and transparent manner.
He said technology-driven reforms have significantly reduced leakages and enhanced accountability within the Public Distribution System, transforming it into a more responsive and citizen-centric framework. According to the Minister, digital and AI-based tools are now integrated across the entire foodgrain value chain, from procurement and storage to transportation and final distribution.
Highlighting measurable gains, Pralhad Joshi informed that Anna Chakra, the AI-based supply chain optimisation system for foodgrain transportation, has resulted in savings of nearly ₹250 crore of public funds. By analysing demand patterns, stock positions and optimal logistics routes, the system has reduced transportation costs and transit time while strengthening supply-chain resilience.
He further noted that ASHA, the AI-enabled grievance redressal platform, contacts nearly 20 lakh beneficiaries every month to gather structured feedback. Complaints and suggestions collected through this mechanism are forwarded to district administrations for timely action, strengthening last-mile responsiveness.
The exhibition showcased a range of AI-driven and digital platforms designed to modernise the Public Distribution System.
SMART PDS serves as 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 enable data-driven decision-making at both Central and State levels.
Anna Chakra is an AI-based movement planning system that optimises foodgrain transportation by analysing demand, stock availability and logistics routes, reducing costs and transit delays.
Depot Darpan is a smart warehousing monitoring platform that enhances infrastructure management, hygiene standards and storage safety through technology-enabled inspections and oversight mechanisms.
Automatic Grain Analysers are digital quality-testing systems that enhance transparency, speed and objectivity in procurement operations, strengthening farmer confidence in the system.
Citizen-centric digital platforms were also presented. ASHA functions as a multilingual grievance redressal and feedback system. SCAN is an intelligent document processing platform enabling faster and more transparent settlement of subsidy claims. Annapurti Grain ATMs are automated dispensing machines ensuring accurate and dignified distribution of foodgrains through biometric authentication.
Sanjiv Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Programme, and Elizabeth Faure, Country Director and Representative, WFP India, were present during the visit.
The exhibition underscores India’s expanding use of Artificial Intelligence and digital infrastructure to strengthen food security governance, reduce inefficiencies and deliver essential services to millions with greater transparency and accountability.
