Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
SARTHAK-PDS
"₹25,530 crore central scheme (Apr 2026–Mar 2031) merging intra-state foodgrain movement and SMART-PDS to modernise India's Public Distribution System."
The Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling — Income with Automation in PDS (SARTHAK-PDS) was approved by the Union Cabinet on May 27, 2026 with a central outlay of ₹25,530 crore over five years (April 2026 to March 2031). It merges two predecessor schemes: 'Assistance for Intra-State Movement of Foodgrains & FPS Dealers' Margin' (under NFSA) and 'SMART-PDS'. It deploys AI, ML, NLP and Blockchain to modernise the PDS — promising a 15–50% reduction in foodgrain travel distance through local procurement, plus blockchain-tracked chain of custody from FCI godown to Fair Price Shop to beneficiary. Implementing ministry: Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. Statutory anchor: National Food Security Act, 2013.
GS2 (welfare schemes) + GS3 (food security, technology in governance). Prelims: outlay, duration, predecessor schemes, technologies deployed. Mains: leakage-plugging vs last-mile inclusion trade-off in PDS reform.
- 1 Cabinet approved May 27, 2026 — central outlay ₹25,530 crore
- 2 Period: April 2026 to March 2031 (5 years)
- 3 Merges Intra-State Movement of Foodgrains + SMART-PDS
- 4 Technologies: AI, ML, NLP, Blockchain
- 5 Target: 15-50% reduction in foodgrain travel distance
- 6 Operates under NFSA 2013 umbrella covering ~81 crore beneficiaries
- 7 Covers all ~5.38 lakh Fair Price Shops across India
- 8 PMGKAY (free foodgrains) extension through Dec 31, 2028
On May 27, 2026, alongside the SC's SIR verdict and the GST online-gaming ruling, the Union Cabinet approved SARTHAK-PDS — the Modi government's flagship technology-driven PDS modernisation.
