In November 2025, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), launched a set of new digital platforms aimed at modernizing warehousing operations and improving transparency in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- The initiative includes Bhandara 360 (a cloud-based platform), Smart EXIM (Export-Import) Warehouse, Anna Darpan (an integrated cloud-based operations system), ASHA – AI-based System for Holistic Administration, and a modern SILO (Storage, Infrastructure & Logistics Optimization) facility at Malout, Punjab.
- These systems align with the Government of India(GoI)’s ongoing efforts to strengthen logistics efficiency under the Prime Minister GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP).
Exam Hints:
- What? Major digital modernization of warehousing and PDS
- Who? Launched by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, MoCAF&PD
- Key Platforms Launched:
- Bhandaran 360: Cloud-based ERP platform by CWC.
- Smart EXIM Warehouse System: AI & IoT-based automated cargo handling.
- ANNA DARPAN: Unified system for procurement, storage and movement.
- ASHA (AI platform): Multilingual beneficiary feedback system.
- Modern SILO Facility (Malout, Punjab): World-class storage infrastructure.
- Purpose: Improve transparency, logistics efficiency, better foodgrain storage and delivery
About Bhandaran 360:
Advanced Platform: Bhandaran 360 is an advanced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform developed by the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) under the MoCAF&PD on SAP (Systems, Applications & Products) S/4HANA.
Integrates: The platform integrates 41 operational modules covering HR (Human Resource), finance, warehouse management, marketing and project operations, forming a single digital backbone for CWC’s nationwide network.
External Systems: It is connected to 35 external systems such as ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway), port authorities, FCI (Food Corporation of India), NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India), NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India) and WDRA (Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority).
Features: With Single Sign-On, encrypted workflows, audit trails, chatbots and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), plus real-time dashboards, Bhandaran 360 enhances visibility and efficiency from warehouse to corporate level.
About Smart EXIM Warehouse System:
Cargo Handling: Under Digital Transformation 2.0, CWC introduced the Smart EXIM Warehouse System for Container Freight Stations (CFS) and general warehouses, enabling automated container and cargo handling using AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things).
Integrates: The system integrates FASTag (Fast and Secure Telematics)-based entry, OCR/ANPR (Optical Character Recognition / Automatic Number Plate Recognition), and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to digitize gate operations and yard movement.
- Digital Twin–enabled yard management and ERP–Warehouse Management System(WMS) integration ensures real-time tracking, optimized flows and faster turnaround.
About ANNA DARPAN:
Overview: The FCI launched ANNA DARPAN, a microservices-based platform replacing the Depot Online System to unify procurement, storage, movement, labor and quality operations.
Digital Design: Its mobile-first design and real-time dashboards across mandis, depots and railheads provide a single source of truth for FCI and the Department of Food & Public Distribution.
Key Features: This enables faster decision-making, improved transparency, and greater efficiency in India’s food supply chain.
About ASHA AI System:
Overview: TheDepartment of Food and Public Distribution(DFPD) under the MoCAF&PD launched ‘ASHA – Anna Sahayata Holistic AI Solution’, an AI-powered multilingual feedback platform developed with the Wadhwani Foundation under the India AI mission and supported by Bhashini’s multilingual AI infrastructure.
Expansion Plan: ASHA, which began with pilot projects in five states, was later expanded to 15 more and is projected to reach 20 lakh citizens per month across all 36 States and Union Territory(UTs) by March 2026.
Call Service System: ASHA enables beneficiaries to report entitlement and quality issues via automated regional-language calls, using multilingual translation, sentiment analysis and automated grievance categorization. It supports around 20 lakh beneficiaries every month across India.
Launch of Silo at Malout, Punjab:
Overview: The newly Hub Silo Complex was inaugurated at Malout, Punjab (1.5 lakh MT), reflects the GoI’s commitment to developing world-class storage infrastructure that strengthens food security and improves PDS efficiency.
Benefits: Modern steel silos ensure better grain protection, higher quality food delivery with reduced wastage, greater storage capacity in less space, faster automated operations, and lower post-harvest losses, resulting in improved efficiency and cost savings.
About Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD):
Union Minister- Pralhad Joshi (Constituency- Dharwad, Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS)– B.L.Verma(Rajya Sabha – Uttar Pradesh, UP); Nimuben Bambhaniya (Constituency- Bhavnagar, Gujarat)
