The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a crucial social welfare scheme in India, designed to distribute essential food grains and commodities to the country’s poor at subsidized prices.
This system evolved as a response to scarcity, ensuring that food grains are available at affordable prices across the nation. Over time, PDS has become a significant part of the government’s strategy for managing the food economy.
While the PDS plays a supplementary role, it is not intended to fully meet the entire food requirements of any household or community.
The PDS operates under the joint responsibility of the Central and State/UT governments. The Central Government, through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), manages the procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk allocation of food grains to the States.
Meanwhile, State Governments handle the operational aspects, including the allocation of food within the state, identifying eligible families, issuing ration cards, and overseeing the functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs).
Currently, the PDS distributes key commodities like wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene. In addition, some states/UTs provide other essential items such as pulses, edible oils, iodized salt, and spices through PDS outlets.
The PDS serves a vast number of poor families, supplying food grains and essential goods through a network of over 500,000 Fair Price Shops at subsidized rates.
With over 518,000 shops nationwide, it is the largest distribution network of its kind globally, distributing goods worth over Rs 15,000 crore annually to about 30 crore families.
India’s food security system, managed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, aims to ensure that both food and non-food items reach the country’s poor at subsidized prices. The Food Corporation of India (FCI), a government-owned entity, plays a vital role in maintaining this system.
Under the PDS, families below the poverty line are entitled to 35 kg of rice or wheat each month, while families above the poverty line can access 15 kg of food grains per month. However, concerns have been raised about the efficiency of the distribution process.
| Name of the scheme | Public Distribution System Scheme |
|---|---|
| Website | https://nfsa.gov.in/ |
| Portal | https://epds.nic.in/ |
Eligibility for the PDS Scheme:
- Indian citizenship.
- Families below the poverty line.
- Households without a member aged between 15 and 59 years.
- Families with a disabled member.
- Individuals engaged in casual labor without permanent jobs.
Benefits of the PDS Scheme:
- 35 kg of rice or wheat per month for families below the poverty line.
- 15 kg of food grain per month for families above the poverty line.
- Implementation of the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme, allowing migrant workers to receive food grains wherever they work.