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SARTHAK-PDS Scheme (UPSC-RAS)

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  • "Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling — Income with Automation in PDS"( SARTHAK PDS)

Umbrella scheme —

  • integrates TWO existing schemes
  • (i) “Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and FPS dealers’ margin under NFSA”
  • (ii) “Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART PDS)”) into one unified framework. Not a new scheme — a consolidation and continuation with enhanced outlay and technology focus.

 Time period -

  •  April 2026 to March 2031 — 5 years, aligned with the 16th Finance Commission award period.
  • Legal anchorNational Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 — SARTHAK-PDS is the implementation vehicle for NFSA's mandate to provide subsidised foodgrains to 81.35 crore beneficiaries.

TWO SCHEMES BEING MERGED —

Scheme 1: Intra-State Movement & FPS Margin

  • "Assistance to State Agencies for Intra-State Movement of Foodgrains and FPS Dealers' Margin under NFSA." Provides Central financial assistance to states/UTs for: (a) moving foodgrains from FCI godowns to Fair Price Shops (FPS); (b) handling and storage costs; (c) FPS dealers' margin/commission — the income of ration shop owners.

Scheme 2: SMART PDS

  • "Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System." Drives technology-led reforms — digitisation of ration cards, Aadhaar seeding, FPS automation, electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices, real-time monitoring, and digital grievance redressal.
  • Merger reasons - The merger brings financial support and technology modernisation under a single administrative framework — avoiding duplication, improving oversight, and creating a unified, citizen-centric PDS architecture.

KEY STATISTICS AT A GLANCE

  1. ₹25,530 Cr.   (Budget) central outlay for SARTHAK-PDS over 5 years (April 2026–March 2031).
  2. 81.35 Cr NFSA beneficiaries covered .
  3. 5 kg  Subsidised foodgrain per person per month under NFSA/PMGKAY.
  4. 5.33 lakh+ Fair Price Shops (FPS) across India delivering grain to beneficiaries.
  5. 16th FC Finance Commission cycle — SARTHAK-PDS aligned with its 5-year award period.

TECHNOLOGY FEATURES — THE SMART PDS COMPONENT

  • AI/ML/NLPAdvanced technologies — Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Blockchain — to modernise and optimise PDS operations. Enables predictive analytics, demand forecasting, and fraud detection.
  • Real-time monitoringState Command and Control Centres — real-time tracking of foodgrain movement from FCI godown to beneficiary. Reduces pilferage and leakages in the supply chain.
  • Ration card digitisationComplete digitisation of ration cards + Aadhaar seeding — eliminates duplicate/ghost beneficiaries. Enables biometric authentication at FPS (ePoS devices).
  • Unified databasesStandardised digital architecture — unified national database of beneficiaries enabling One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) and portability of ration cards across states.
  • AI grievance redressalAI-based grievance redressal and analytics — citizen complaints processed and resolved using automated systems; reduces bureaucratic delays.
  • ISO certificationISO-certified process frameworks for FPS operations — standardising delivery processes and ensuring quality control at the last mile.
  • Citizen appsMera Ration · Anna Mitra · Rightful Targeting Dashboard · Anna Sahayata — all integrated under the SARTHAK-PDS digital ecosystem.

PDS REFORM TIMELINE — DECADE OF DIGITISATION

  1. 2013  NFSA enacted — legal right to subsidised foodgrain for 67% of India's population (now 81.35 crore).
  2. 2016 End-to-End Computerisation of TPDS (Targeted PDS) — first major digital reform; ration card database created.
  3. 2018 One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) pilot — allows migrants to access ration anywhere in India. Fully rolled out by 2022 across all states/UTs.
  4. 2019 IM-PDS (Integrated Management of PDS) — national portability infrast

Source :- PIB