In News: The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has been named a finalist for the 2026 Franz Edelman Award for its Anna Chakra initiative.
Anna Chakra
- Type: Supply chain optimisation tool
- Sector: Public Distribution System (PDS)
About Anna Chakra
- An operations research–based decision support system to optimise state-wise food grain logistics under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Focuses on efficient movement, routing, and distribution of food grains across the supply chain.
Key Features
- Uses advanced algorithms and analytics to:
- Identify optimal transportation routes
- Reduce logistics cost and delays
- Ensure seamless inter-state and intra-state movement of food grains
- Integrated with national logistics platforms:
- PM Gati Shakti
- FOIS (Freight Operations Information System) of Indian Railways
- Via Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)
Institutional Collaboration
Developed through a Government–UN–Academia partnership:
- Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD)
- UN World Food Programme (WFP), India
- IIT Delhi
Significance
- Improves efficiency, transparency, and reliability of PDS logistics
- Reduces wastage and transit inefficiencies
- Strengthens food security through data-driven governance
- Example of advanced analytics in public policy
Franz Edelman Award
- Recognizes high-impact applications of operations research and analytics
- Known as the “Nobel Prize of Operations Research”
- Awarded for excellence in management science and advanced analytics
- Prize Money: USD 10,000
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
