Sarthak-PDS Scheme: A New Initiative for
the Modernization and Strengthening of India's Public Distribution System
Union Cabinet recently approved the SARTHAK-PDS scheme
to modernise and strengthen India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) through
technology-driven reforms, improved logistics, and enhanced support for Fair
Price Shops (FPSs).
SARTHAK-PDS
¨
SARTHAK-PDS (Scheme for
Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling–Income with Automation in PDS) is
an umbrella scheme approved to modernise India’s Public Distribution System
(PDS) and strengthen implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA),
2013.
¨
The scheme has an outlay
of ₹25,530 crore and will be implemented from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 and
aligns with the broader objective of improving food security, transparency, and
last-mile delivery efficiency.
The scheme merges the two ongoing schemes
¨
Assistance to State
Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and FPS dealers’ margin under
NFSA, and Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public
Distribution System (SMART PDS)
¨
It seeks to create a
smart, accountable, reliable, transparent, and technology-driven PDS ecosystem
for nearly 80 crore beneficiaries through improved logistics, automation, and
digital governance.
Key Features
The Scheme aims to provide –
assured financial support for intra-State movement,
handling and FPS dealer’s margin, and a unified, citizen-centric, intelligent
and interoperable PDS architecture that ensures last-mile service delivery,
minimizes leakages and strengthens the nation’s commitment to food security
under NFSA. The scheme emphasises the adoption of advanced technologies such as
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language
Processing (NLP), and Blockchain for beneficiary management, foodgrain
tracking, demand forecasting, route optimisation, grievance redressal, and
reduction of leakages in the PDS network. It proposes unified databases, State
Command and Control Centres, real-time analytics systems, GPS-enabled vehicle
tracking, and interoperable digital platforms for end-to-end monitoring of
foodgrain movement and distribution.
Significance of the Scheme
¨
Strengthening Food Security:
The scheme aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of India’s food
security architecture, benefiting nearly 80 crore NFSA beneficiaries.
¨
Reducing Leakages and
Corruption: Technology-enabled tracking, beneficiary verification, and digital
monitoring can reduce diversion of foodgrains and improve transparency in the
PDS network.
¨ Improving Last-Mile Delivery: Enhanced support to FPS dealers and better logistics infrastructure can strengthen last-mile delivery, particularly in rural and remote regions.
¨ Advancing Digital Governance: Adoption of AI and digital systems reflects the growing use of technology-driven governance for welfare delivery and public-service efficiency.
