E-KYC registration has been made mandatory
for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in Puducherry
¨
E-KYC registration was
made mandatory from 26 February 2026 for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri
Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Puducherry.
¨
The rule was implemented
under the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based food subsidy distribution
scheme.
¨
The scheme uses digital
currency e₹ for food subsidy distribution.
¨
The new system replaced
the existing Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)-cash model in the Union Territory.
¨
Central Bank Digital
Currency (CBDC) is the digital form of sovereign currency issued by a central
bank.
¨
In India, the digital
currency is known as e₹.
¨
The e₹ is issued by the
Reserve Bank of India.
¨
Puducherry’s CBDC-based
food subsidy pilot project was launched on 26 February 2026.
¨
Beneficiaries receive an
e-wallet under the scheme.
¨
The e-wallet remains
valid for three months from the date of issue.
¨
The digital currency can
be used only at fair price shops and authorised merchant outlets.
¨
It is used for purchasing
rice and other food grains.
¨
Beneficiaries who have
not completed the e-KYC process must visit Common Service Centres (CSCs) with
Aadhaar card and ration card.
¨
The e-KYC process at CSCs
is provided free of cost.
¨
The Central Government
made e-KYC mandatory every five years for all ration card holders.
¨ The provision was introduced under the Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Amendment Order, 2025.
¨ The rule came into effect on 22 July 2025.
