Government of India launches CBDC-based Digital Food Currency pilot for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Puducherry

• First-of-its-kind integration of the Reserve Bank of India's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC / e₹) with the Public Distribution System (PDS) — food subsidy under PMGKAY transferred directly to beneficiaries' CBDC wallets instead of bank accounts.
• Launched in Puducherry on 26 February 2026 by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi.
• Significant for UPSC because it bridges three live themes: Digital Rupee (monetary policy), DBT architecture (governance reform), and NFSA / food security.