Department of Food and Public Distribution’s Anna Chakra Named 2026 Franz Edelman Award Finalist

The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) is named a finalist for the 2026 Franz Edelman Award for its Anna Chakra initiative. Anna Chakra is a supply chain optimisation tool under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and is recognised in the context of advanced analytics applications.

Anna Chakra (DFPD) and Franz Edelman Award: 

Dimension	Key Details
Initiative Type	Anna Chakra provides for a supply chain optimization tool under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Design Basis	Operations research–based decision support system.
Functional Coverage	Mandates optimisation of state-specific food grain logistics under India’s PDS.
Development Partnership	Developed through a Government–UN–Academia partnership involving DFPD, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India, and IIT Delhi.
Technology	Leverages advanced algorithms to identify optimal routes and ensure seamless movement of food grains across supply chain nodes.
Integration Platforms	Integrated with the PM Gati Shakti platform and the FOIS (Freight Operations Information System) portal of the Railways through Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).
Recognition Focus	World’s most impactful, high-value applications of advanced analytics.
Description	The award is widely regarded as the “Nobel Prize of Operations Research and Analytics”.
Fields Covered	The award recognises and rewards outstanding examples of operations research, management science, and advanced analytics practice in the world.
Award Prize	Winner gets a $10,000 prize.