The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 Franz Edelman Award for its innovative Anna Chakra initiative, which optimises food grain logistics under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The initiative is widely discussed in GS Paper III (Economy, Food Security, Technology) by aspirants preparing through UPSC coaching in Hyderabad.
About Anna Chakra
- A decision support system based on operations research.
- Designed to optimise food grain supply chains across States under the PDS.
- Developed through a Government–UN–Academia partnership involving:
- Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD).
- United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India.
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.
- Uses advanced algorithms to identify best transport routes and ensure smooth movement of grains.
- Integrated with:
- PM Gati Shakti platform.
- FOIS (Freight Operations Information System) of Railways via Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).
Objectives
- Improve efficiency and transparency in food grain distribution.
- Reduce transportation costs and delays.
- Ensure timely delivery of food grains to beneficiaries.
- Strengthen India’s food security architecture, a recurring theme in governance discussions at Hyderabad IAS coaching.
Franz Edelman Award
- Known as the “Nobel Prize of Operations Research and Analytics.”
- Recognises impactful applications of advanced analytics and management science.
- Award includes a $10,000 prize.
Significance
- Enhances PDS efficiency and reduces wastage.
- Demonstrates India’s ability to use technology-driven solutions for welfare delivery.
- Strengthens India’s global reputation in operations research and analytics.
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