Launch of India's First CBDC-Based Public Distribution System

Facts (10)

• Established

  Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched India's first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar on February 15, 2026.

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• Established

  The new system utilizes digital legal tender issued by the central bank to manage ration transactions and eliminate intermediaries.

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• Established

  The government plans to roll out the CBDC-based PDS nationwide within the next three to four years.

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• Established

  The 'Annapurna' (or 'Annapurti') grain ATM was inaugurated, which is capable of dispensing 25 kg of food grains in 35 seconds.

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• Established

  Approximately 80 crore people currently receive 5 kg of free food grains per person per month under the government's food security program.

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• ConflictNiche Signal

  Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have alleged that recent trade deals will harm Indian farmers and the dairy sector.

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• EmergingNiche Signal

  The Gujarat Food and Civil Supplies Department signed an MoU with the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC) for a pre-litigation grievance redressal ecosystem.

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• Attribution

  Amit Shah stated that the CBDC-based PDS will eliminate corruption and ensures food grains reach beneficiaries through a secure digital mechanism.

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• Attribution

  Amit Shah claimed that trade agreements with the U.S., U.K., and EU have fully safeguarded India's agriculture and dairy sectors.

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• AttributionNiche Signal

  The agriculture budget has increased to 1.29 lakh crore rupees under the current administration, compared to 26,000 crore rupees under the previous government.

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