The Centre has clarified that the newly approved SARTHAK-PDS platform is not intended to replace India’s existing Public Distribution System (PDS), but rather to modernise and strengthen it through digital integration and better logistics management.
The clarification comes after the Union Cabinet approved the SARTHAK-PDS scheme with an outlay of ₹24,350 crore for a five-year period from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031.
Speaking on the initiative, Ashwini Vaishnaw said the platform is aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and foodgrain delivery operations under the current ration distribution system.
The government stressed that beneficiaries will continue receiving subsidised foodgrains through the existing PDS framework and fair price shops.
SARTHAK-PDS will function as a digital backbone designed to streamline foodgrain movement, improve monitoring systems, and reduce leakages across states.
Officials said the platform will integrate intra-state foodgrain transportation systems and support technology-driven tracking of dealer margins and supply-chain operations.
The Centre also said multilingual accessibility features will be introduced to make the system easier for beneficiaries across different states.
According to the Cabinet briefing, the government plans to provide financial support to states for foodgrain transportation, fair price shop upgrades, and broader PDS modernisation efforts.
One of the key objectives of the scheme is to optimise logistics and reduce unnecessary transportation of foodgrains.
The Centre estimates that foodgrain movement requirements could decline by 15% to 50% under the revamped system. Additionally, carbon emissions linked to foodgrain transportation may reduce by nearly 35%.
The government also indicated that the IndiaAI Mission will support the public distribution ecosystem as part of the broader digital transformation strategy.
The government says the initiative is part of a larger structural reform effort aimed at strengthening India’s food security network. By digitising operational processes and improving monitoring systems, the Centre hopes to make ration distribution more transparent, efficient, and accountable.
The move also reflects the government’s growing focus on using technology and AI-based systems to improve welfare delivery mechanisms.
The Centre has made it clear that SARTHAK-PDS is an upgrade (not a replacement) for India’s existing ration distribution system. While beneficiaries will continue using the current PDS framework, the new digital platform aims to improve logistics, reduce leakages, and modernise foodgrain distribution through technology-driven reforms over the next five years.
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Published on: May 27, 2026, 4:44 PM IST
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