India’s Public Distribution System is the world’s largest food transfer programme and India’s most far-reaching social safety net, accounting for around 50% of the overall social assistance budget.
Objectives of PDS
Food security
Stabilise foodgrain prices
Prevent hunger and malnutrition
Safety net during emergencies
Reformative Steps to Strengthen India’s Food-Grain Distribution System
National Food Security Act, 2013 – Expanded the PDS coverage to 67% of population
End-to-End Digitalisation of PDS
All 20.4 Cr household ration cards digitised
Aadhaar seeding – over 47 million bogus ration cards removed (2013-21).
Implementation of Warehouse Inventory Network and Governing System (WINGS) application to automate tagging of mills
5.33 lakh e-PoS devices installed in all Fair Price Shops.
One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) – Ensures nationwide portability of PDS benefits.
Doorstep Delivery of Foodgrains in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi etc.
Strengthening Storage & Supply Chain
GPS-based tracking of trucks. Eg- Chhatisgarh
Expansion of warehouses under PEG Scheme (Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee).
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Chandigarh, Puducherry, Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
Decentralised Procurement in states like Punjab, Haryana, MP, Chhattisgarh, Telangana.
Nutritional Improvements in PDS
Introduction of fortified rice under NFSA, ICDS and PM-POSHAN.
Some states (Tamil Nadu, Odisha) supply pulses, millets, oil and eggs through PDS.
However, despite these steps there are few challenges
As per study by Crisil using a ‘thali index’, up to 50% of rural and 20% of urban Indians cannot afford two balanced meals a day
Even with PDS support, food deprivation remained 40% in rural and 10% in urban areas
Weak supply chain management – Storage Losses due to poor warehousing and handling. Eg- 40% of the food wasted (1.5 lakh crore or 1% of the GDP)
Open ended procurement leads to overflowing of FCI godowns
Diversion – Eg- 28% of allocated foodgrains fail to reach beneficiaries as per HCES 2022-23.
Inclusion and exclusion errors due to faulty beneficiary identification.
Corruption and ghost beneficiaries – Over 47 million bogus ration cards cancelled between 2013-2021
Corruption at Fair Price Shops (FPS) – Issues of under-weighing, overcharging etc
Fiscal Burden – Food subsidy budget @ 2.1 lakh cr in 2025-26
Way Forward
Shanta Kumar Committee Recommendations on Revamping of PDS
Direct Procurement by States
Private Sector Involvement in procurement, storage, and distribution
Diversify the food basket – Include millets, pulses, edible oil and iodised salt for nutritional security.
Strengthen grievance redressal – Set up toll-free helplines, social audits and citizen charters at FPS level.
Community monitoring – Involve self-help groups, local bodies and civil society in supervision.
Universal PDS similar to Tamil Nadu’s model.
Optimise buffer stock norms to reduce food grain wastage.
The PDS remains a vital tool for India’s food security and realise SDG 1,2,3,and 12