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India showcases AI-Driven revolution in food distribution at India-AI Impact Summit 2026
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Friday, 20 February, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) recently unveiled a suite of AI-enabled innovations designed to modernize India’s Public Distribution System (PDS). Showcased at the India-AI Impact Summit and Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, these digital solutions aim to enhance transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness for over 800 million beneficiaries.
AI Across the Value Chain
Inaugurated by Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), the "AI-Empowered Innovations for Public Distribution" pavilion highlights how AI is being integrated from "farm to fork." Secretary Chopra emphasized that the department is moving beyond simple transparency to a model of high responsiveness.
Key innovations featured at the expo include:
- Annapurti (Grain ATMs): Automated dispensing machines that ensure accurate, biometric-authenticated foodgrain delivery.
- Anna Chakra: An AI-based movement planning system that optimizes logistics routes, reducing carbon emissions and operational costs.
- Depot Darpan: A smart warehouse monitoring platform that uses sensors to maintain hygiene and prevent food loss.
- Automatic Grain Analysers: Digital testing systems that bring speed and objectivity to the procurement process, boosting farmer confidence.
SMART PDS: The Digital Backbone
Central to this transformation is the SMART PDS, a unified national digital framework that integrates everything from ration card management to biometric authentication. Real-time analytics dashboards now allow for data-driven policy decisions at both the Central and State levels.
Elisabeth Faure, Country Director for WFP India, lauded the two-decade partnership with India, noting that these innovations are vital for addressing last-mile nutrition gaps. The summit also featured a Hackathon where startups presented novel solutions for food security.
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