India’s Welfare Goes Digital: Amit Shah Inaugurates CBDC-Based PDS with QR Authentication |

Updated: February 15, 2026 10:32

Image Source: Bharat Express

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 15 February 2026. The pilot covers 26,333 families across four districts, enabling subsidy transfers via RBI-authorized digital tokens. Innovations include QR-based authentication and Annapurti Grain ATMs for faster ration delivery.

Key Highlights

Historic Launch: India’s first CBDC-based PDS was inaugurated at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, marking a milestone in digitized welfare delivery.

Pilot Coverage: The initiative currently covers 26,333 families in Ahmedabad (Sabarmati zone), Surat, Anand, and Valsad. Beneficiaries receive subsidies directly into digital wallets authorized by the Reserve Bank of India.

Digital Authentication:

Smartphone users authenticate transactions via QR codes.
Feature phone users rely on Aadhaar-based OTPs, ensuring inclusivity across demographics.

Innovative Infrastructure: The launch featured the Annapurti Grain ATM, capable of dispensing 25 kg of grain in 35 seconds, alongside standardized one-kilogram packs for pulses to streamline distribution.

Technology Backbone: Developed in collaboration with Punjab National Bank, the system issues digital tokens specifying commodity, quantity, and price, ensuring transparency and reducing leakages.

Additional Initiatives: The event also saw the signing of MoUs for a Consumer Responsibility Index and the launch of a malnutrition alleviation campaign in Narmada district, expanding the scope of welfare reforms.

Leadership Presence: The inauguration was attended by Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, underscoring the political and administrative significance of the rollout.

Why This Matters

Digital Governance Leap: The CBDC-based PDS represents a paradigm shift from cash and card-based subsidies to blockchain-backed digital tokens.
Transparency & Efficiency: By eliminating middlemen and ensuring direct transfers, the system reduces leakages and enhances accountability.
Scalability Potential: If successful, the pilot could expand nationwide, transforming India’s food security framework.
Citizen Empowerment: Faster, more reliable ration delivery strengthens trust in welfare schemes and highlights India’s digital innovation in governance.

Closing Note

The launch of India’s first CBDC-based PDS in Gujarat is more than a technological experiment—it’s a bold step toward digitally empowered welfare delivery. By combining innovation with inclusivity, the initiative sets the stage for a future where subsidies are transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric.

Sources: The Financial Express, Lokmat Times, News18, Indian Express

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