AI Boosts Transparency in India's Food Distribution, Says Top Official

Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary of the Department of Food & Public Distribution, stated that artificial intelligence has become a critical component for transparency and responsiveness in the department's operations. He explained that AI is deployed effectively across the entire supply chain, including procurement, storage, movement, distribution, and subsidy settlements. His comments were made in the context of India preparing to host the global AI Impact Summit in February 2026. The summit aims to shape a future where AI delivers tangible outcomes for people and the planet through inclusive and responsible development.

Key Points: AI Transforms India's Food Distribution: Secretary

  • AI enhances food supply chain transparency
  • Used from procurement to subsidy settlement
  • Part of India's global AI summit push
  • Aims for inclusive, responsible AI growth
3 min read

AI has added new layer of transparency, responsiveness in food distribution operations: Sanjeev Chopra, Food & Public Distribution Dept secretary

Sanjeev Chopra highlights AI's critical role in enhancing transparency and efficiency across India's public food distribution supply chain.

"AI has added another layer to that particular transparent functioning and to make it more responsive. - Sanjeev Chopra"

New Delhi, February 18

Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary of the Department of Food & Public Distribution, on Tuesday, emphasised the transformative role artificial intelligence has played in strengthening transparency and responsiveness across the department's operations.

Speaking on India AI Impact summit, Chopra said AI has become a "critical component" of the department's functioning over the past few years, enhancing efficiency across the food management ecosystem.

"We have displayed how AI has been a critical component in our functioning for the past couple of years, in particular. What we were trying to do through technology is to bring about transparency. And what AI has done is to add another layer to that particular transparent functioning and to make it more responsive," he told ANI.

Chopra further highlighted that AI has been deployed across the entire supply chain, from procurement and storage to movement, distribution, and settlement of state subsidy bills.

"Across all our operations, from procurement and storage through movement and distribution to state subsidy bill settlement, AI has been used extremely effectively. But now going forward, we'll be covering each area in more depth as well," he said.

India is hosting the AI Impact Summit in February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as a global convening to shape the future of inclusive, responsible, and resilient Artificial Intelligence.

Building on the momentum of previous multilateral initiatives, including the Bletchley Park, Seoul, Paris, and Kigali Summits, the AI Impact Summit is envisaged to mark a shift from aspirations to impact, demonstrating how AI can deliver tangible outcomes for People, Planet, and Progress.

As the first Global AI Summit of this series to take place in the Global South, the Impact Summit will advance a future where the transformative impact of AI serves humanity, advances inclusive growth, fosters social development, and promotes people-centric innovations that protect our planet.

The Summit builds on extensive groundwork, including five rounds of public consultations and global outreach sessions in Paris, Berlin, Oslo, New York, Geneva, Bangkok, and Tokyo. Regional events across India have ensured grassroots voices are represented, while over 50 affiliated Pre-Summit Events worldwide have generated actionable insights and broadened participation. Complemented by curated consultation sessions for the flagship events and working groups, these efforts reflect India's deeply participatory approach to the Impact Summit.

AI today stands at an inflection point, with the power to reshape economies, accelerate scientific discovery, and address urgent global challenges, but also the potential to widen divides if left unchecked. The Summit provides a platform to bridge this gap, ensuring that the future of AI is shaped by collective action and shared responsibility.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Great to see India taking a lead in AI for governance. Using tech to streamline subsidy bills and procurement can save crores of rupees. The 2026 summit in Delhi will put us on the global map for responsible AI. Jai Hind!
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Rohit P
Transparency is key, but I hope this isn't just another buzzword. We need to see real-time tracking of food stocks and distribution. Also, what about the digital divide? Will our anganwadi workers in remote areas be able to use these AI systems?
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Sarah B
As someone working in tech, it's impressive to see such a large-scale application of AI in public distribution. The focus on the entire supply chain—procurement to settlement—is the right approach. Hope other countries learn from this model.
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Karthik V
The summit sounds promising, but the proof will be in the pudding. We've heard about tech solutions before. My main concern is data privacy. Who controls all this data on food habits and distribution? Need strong safeguards.
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Meera T
If AI can help predict crop yields and optimize storage, it will prevent so much wastage. We lose lakhs of tonnes of food annually. This is a positive use of technology for the planet and for our farmers. 👏

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