Smart Warehousing System Launched for Foodgrain Depots

Smart Warehousing System for foodgrain storage launched

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Battle Brief

DFPD launched an AI- and IoT-based Smart Warehousing System for foodgrain storage at Bharat Mandapam on 18 June 2026. It covers 215 CWC bag-based warehouses, with FCI deploying it in 150 more. The Ministry calls it the world’s largest such public-sector warehousing deployment. Best CWC and FCI warehouses were felicitated under Depot Darpan.

Fact File

Release: 18 Jun 2026, Department of Food and Public Distribution
Coverage: 215 CWC warehouses; FCI deploying in 150 more
Tech: AI and IoT; FASTag/ANPR gates; smart locks; bag counting; face recognition; environmental IoT; fire/smoke/rodent AI
Claim: world’s largest AI/IoT deployment in public-sector foodgrain warehousing
Awards: best-performing 20 CWC and FCI warehouses under Depot Darpan
PDS link: over 80 crore PDS beneficiaries cited

In the news

Smart Warehousing System for foodgrains: what happened?

Grain that spoils or goes missing in a depot is a silent tax on the PDS. Cameras, sensors and smart locks turn a godown into something that can be audited in real time.

Expected gains: lower vehicle turnaround time, transparency, early hazard detection, real-time visibility.
Alongside digitisation, over 2.43 crore ineligible ration cards removed as cited.
Related platforms named: SMART PDS, Anna Chakra, Depot Darpan, ASHA, SCAN, Anna Darpan.

Back Story

Who stores central-pool grain?

Food Corporation of India and Central Warehousing Corporation are the main public warehousing arms covered in this rollout.

Why examiners care

Why does Smart Warehousing System for foodgrains matter?

Food security: Scientific storage for the central pool and PDS.
Governance: Depot Darpan awards for performance.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on Smart Warehousing System for foodgrains?

Smart Warehousing: 215 CWC + 150 FCI sites; AI/IoT.
Launched 18 Jun 2026 by DFPD.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Agriculture: cropping, MSP, PDS, food processing, land reforms

As per PIB (2026-06-18): DFPD launched an AI- and IoT-based Smart Warehousing System for foodgrain storage, which it calls the world's largest such deployment in public-sector warehousing; best CWC and FCI warehouses were awarded under Depot Darpan.
It cuts losses and theft in the PDS supply chain.

Quotable data point
DFPD launched an AI- and IoT-based Smart Warehousing System for foodgrain storage, which it calls the world's largest such deployment in public-sector warehousing; best CWC and FCI warehouses were awarded under Depot Darpan.
PIB: Food: Smart Warehousing, 18 Jun 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

The Smart Warehousing System launched in June 2026 is being rolled out first across how many CWC warehouses?

Answer (c) & explanation

PIB (Food), 18 Jun 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is the Smart Warehousing System?

An AI- and IoT-based platform for public foodgrain warehouses launched by DFPD on 18 June 2026.

How many warehouses are covered initially?

215 CWC warehouses, with FCI deploying in 150 more.

What is Depot Darpan?

An assessment framework under which the best-performing CWC and FCI warehouses were felicitated at the launch.