Lok Sabha Question No. 5453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-25
Subject: Authentication Failure in PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5453

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TII MARCH, 2026

## AUTHENTICATION  FAILURE IN PDS

## 5453. DR. AMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION  be pleased to state:

- (a): the number of  Public Distribution System (PDS) transactions that failed due to biometric authentication failure or  connectivity and server issues since 2023, year and State/UT- wise;
- (b): whether the Government maintains data on beneficiaries who were denied ration due to authentication failure;
- (C): if  so, the details thereof  and if  not, the reasons for not maintaining  such data;
- (d): the details of  the number of  cases where exception or offline  mechanisms were used to ensure ration delivery despite authentication failure since 2022, State/UT and year-wise; and
- (e): whether  any  assessment has  been  conducted  to  establish  a  clear  link between mandatory biometric authentication and reduction in leakages and if  so, the details and findings thereoP

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a) &  (b):  No  such consolidated data regarding Public Distribution  System (PDS) transactions failing  due to biometric  authentication  failure,  connectivity  or server issues has been reported by the States/UTs to the Department of Food and Public Distribution  (DFPD).
- (c): Since no such instances of  denial  of ration due to authentication failure  have been reported by the States/UTs to DFPD, no centralized data is maintained in this regard.
- (d): The Department has consistently advised all States/UTs that no eligible  beneficiary should be denied foodgrains under any circumstances, including  cases of  authentication failure or technical issues. States/UTs have  been directed to  adopt  appropriate exception handling mechanisms, such as OTP-based authentication,  offline  distribution modes, or other Statespecific provisions.

During the year 2025, 98.47% of total PDS transactions were completed through Aadhaarbased authentication, indicating  the robustness of  the system. The remaining transactions were facilitated through alternative mechanisms as per State/UT guidelines to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

(e): No such assessment has been conducted.  Though, the adoption ofAadhaar-based biometric authentication  under the  Public Distribution  System has been an integral component of  the Government's efforts to curb leakages and improve targeting of beneficiaries.

Various  assessments and field-level observations  have  indicated  that biometric authentication has helped in:

- Eliminating  duplicate beneficiaries through Aadhaar seeding and de-duplication,
- Ensuring that foodgrains are delivered to the rightful  beneficiaries, and
- Enhancing transparency and accountability  in distribution at Fair Price Shops (FPS).

Further, initiatives  such as One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) and real-time electronic Point of  Sale (ePoS) transactions have strengthened monitoring and reduced diversion of foodgrains.

These measures collectively  contribute towards minimizing  leakages and  improving efficiency in the PDS.

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