Gandhinagar: In a landmark step toward technology-driven governance and transparent welfare delivery, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today inaugurated India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The launch marks a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation of food security and public welfare systems.
The event, held at Mahatma Mandir, was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, along with senior government officials, RBI representatives, and key institutional partners.
Transparent, Technology-Driven Food Security
Launching the initiative, Amit Shah stated that the expansion of Digital India, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has now reached the Public Distribution System, ensuring transparent and direct delivery of food grains to beneficiaries. He emphasized that CBDC-enabled distribution and biometric authentication will eliminate corruption, remove middlemen, and guarantee accurate delivery of subsidized food grains, particularly to citizens in remote and underserved regions.
He noted that India has emerged as a global leader in digital transactions, accounting for more than half of the world’s digital payment volume, and said the CBDC-powered PDS reflects the government’s commitment to “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.”
Annapurti Grain ATM: Precision and Accessibility
A key highlight of the initiative is the launch of the ‘Annapurti Grain ATM’, a technology-enabled system capable of dispensing 25 kg of grain in just 35 seconds with complete precision in weight and quality. The Grain ATM will operate round the clock, enabling beneficiaries to collect their entitled food grains at their convenience without waiting in long queues.
The CBDC-linked system allows beneficiaries to access food grains through digital tokens, QR code scanning, or OTP verification, ensuring accessibility even for users with basic mobile phones. The digital entitlement will be credited directly to beneficiaries’ wallets and can only be used for purchasing subsidized food grains, preventing misuse and leakages.
Nationwide Rollout Planned
Amit Shah announced that the CBDC-based Public Distribution System will be expanded across India over the next three to four years, creating a nationwide, leak-proof, and transparent food distribution network. The system integrates Aadhaar authentication, RBI’s digital currency platform, and real-time monitoring to ensure full accountability and efficiency.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, nearly 81 crore citizens currently receive free rations, and the new digital framework aims to further strengthen India’s food security infrastructure.
Vision of Viksit Bharat from Viksit Gujarat
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the initiative reflects Gujarat’s leadership in adopting technology for inclusive growth and aligns with the vision of “Viksit Bharat from Viksit Gujarat @2047.” He emphasized that digital tracking, DBT integration, and AI-enabled data connectivity are ensuring benefits reach eligible citizens transparently.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi described the CBDC-based food distribution model as a “Digital Satyagraha against poverty,” while Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi stated that the Grain ATM and CBDC ecosystem will ensure every beneficiary receives full entitlement with accuracy, transparency, and dignity.
The Gujarat pilot is expected to serve as a national blueprint for modernizing the Public Distribution System, reinforcing India’s global leadership in digital governance, financial inclusion, and technology-driven welfare delivery.