In a pioneering step towards digital innovation in public service delivery, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to implement Aadhaar-based face authentication for distributing ration under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The initiative, introduced by the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance (DDTG), aims to simplify and speed up the verification process for beneficiaries. Previously, PDS authentication relied on OTP or biometric fingerprint methods, which often faced issues like SMS failures or biometric mismatches.
Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister (Innovation, Digital Technologies & Governance), Gokul Butail, highlighted that the new FaceAuth system utilizes the mobile camera on the fair price shop (FPS) owner’s smartphone through a dedicated app. This enables real-time facial recognition for direct beneficiary authentication—making the process more efficient and user-friendly.
The FaceAuth technology has already shown significant improvements in authentication success rates and reduced the overall time taken for verification. This not only eases access for beneficiaries but also strengthens the integrity and speed of ration distribution.
Gokul Butail emphasized that the move reflects Himachal’s commitment to inclusive governance and the effective use of digital tools to enhance transparency, accessibility, and service delivery across the state.
