Lok Sabha Question No. 857 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Progress of Digitalization of PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 857

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## PROGRESS OF DIGITALIZATION OF PDS

## 857.  SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

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

- (a): the details of  progress of  digitalization efforts under the Public Distribution System (PDS) across States and Union  Territories;
- (b): the details  of  Fair  Price  Shops (FPS) that  have been equipped with  digital  infrastructure for automated operations especially  in kallakurichi  Lok  Sabha Constituency;
- (c): the main objectives of digitalizing  the PDS and the manner in which the digitalization impacted the efficiency and transparency of the distribution process;
- (d): whether there has been any measurable reduction in  pilferage and leakages of  PDS resources since the introduction  of  digital  systems and if  so, the details thereof;
- (e): the details and the current status of Aadhaar-based authentication and e-Point of  Sale (e POS) machines at FPSs for  beneficiary  verification;
- (f): the details of  the challenges that have been encountered in implementing  digital  solutions under the PDS, particularly in  remote or rural areas; and
- (g): whether the Government has taken steps to improve internet connectivity in rural regions to support uninterrupted digital PDS operations especially in Kallakurichi Lok Sabha Constituency and if  so, the details thereon

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

(a): Under the ongoing reforms in the Public Distribution  System (PDS), the ration card and beneficiary database has been completely digitised across all  States and Union Territories. As on date, 5.50 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPSs), constituting nearly 99.8% of the total 5.51 lakh FPSs in the country have been automated through the installation  of electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices for distribution of foodgrains using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. Further, 99.2% of beneficiaries have been Aadhaar-seeded, and 98.5% of  foodgrain distribution  is being  carried out  through  digital  authentication modes, including  Aadhaar biometric  and iris authentication

- (b): in the Kallakurichi Lok  Sabha Constituency, there are 766 Fair Price Shops (FPSs). All these FPSs have been equipped with  ePoS devices, and 758 FPSs are presently fully  online and operational, enabling automated and authenticated distribution  of foodgrains.
- (c): The primary objectives of digitising the Public Distribution System are to enhance efficiency  and transparency ensure rightful  targeting of beneficiaries, and address challenges  such as leakages and diversion offoodgrains.

As an outcome of technology-driven reforms in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) since 2013-including digitisation  of  ration  cards and beneficiary databases,  Aadhaar seeding7 de-duplication,  and  identification of  duplicate,  ineligible,  deceased and permanently migrated beneficiaries-all States and Union  Territories  have collectively  weeded out  6.77 crore ration cards during  the period from  2013 to  2025, thereby strengthening  the  integritY and effectiveness of  the  system and making  space for  the  waitlisted  beneficiaries under NFS A.

- d): The introduction  of  digital  systems under PDS has resulted in  a measurable reduction in pilferage and leakages. The digitisation initiatives, particularly Aadhaar seeding, beneficiary deduplication9 and ePoS-based authentication at  FPSs, have significantly  reduced the  scope for diversion and inclusion  of  ineligible  beneficiaries. The  removal of 6.77 crore duplicate and ineligible ration cards between  2013 and 2025 is a key indicator of improved targeting and reduced leakages in the system.
- (e): As on date, 5.50 lakh FPSs (99.8%) out of a total of  5.51 lakh FPSs across the country have been automated through the  installation of  ePoS devices for  beneficiary verification  and foodgrain distribution.  Further, 99.2% of  beneficiaries  are Aadhaar-seeded, and 98.5% of distribution transactions  are  being authenticated  through digital modes,  including  Aadhaar biometric and iris authentication.
- (f)  &  (g): To  address network and internet related challenges, the Department of Telecommunications has  been requested to  take necessary measures to  resolve internet and connectivity-related issues, especially in remote and shadow network areas.

Further, the PDS framework provides multiple safeguards to ensure uninterrupted  delivery of  foodgrains. Beneficiaries are empowered to lift  their entitled foodgrains from  any Fair Price Shop having an operational ePoS device, thereby mitigating location-specific connectivity issues. Additionally, ePoS devices are enabled with  offline  functionality, allowing transactions to  be carried out  in  areas with  limited  or  no  internet connectivity. Such devices are required to periodically  connect to  a  network-enabled  area to  synchronise offline  transaction data with  the central PDS system.

It  is  ensured that no beneficiary is denied his or her entitled foodgrains on account of connectivity issues, including in areas such as the Kallakurichi Lok Sabha Constituency.

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