Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji
Goa is set to roll out a new Ration Card Management System (RCMS) under the SMART-PDS scheme within the next two to three months, with officials stating that the system will fully integrate Aadhaar-linked public distribution services for real-time monitoring and targeted delivery.
An official from the department said the RCMS is currently in the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase and will soon be launched.
While the RCMS is yet to go live, the Integrated Aadhaar Enabled Supply Chain Management (IAeSCM) system has already been implemented in Goa with effect from October 2025. Goa is among the few states in the country to have adopted IAeSCM and is now moving towards the rollout of RCMS.
The official said the state is steadily progressing towards a more transparent, efficient and technology-driven Public Distribution System. Once RCMS is launched, all major modules — RCMS, IAeSCM, Anna Darpan and Aadhaar-enabled Public Distribution System (AePDS) — will be seamlessly integrated, enabling real-time data sharing across the entire PDS network, the official said.
“It will ensure targeted delivery of food grains and essential commodities by linking them directly to Aadhaar-based beneficiary data. It will also improve data accuracy by removing duplicate or fake, also known as ‘ghost’, beneficiaries. This will help the government get authentic data for better planning, proper use of resources and more effective policy implementation,” the official said.
The new RCMS will streamline PDS operations by digitising beneficiary records and allowing citizens to apply for new ration cards and make changes online. In the future, all ration card-related processes will be completely online, making services easier and faster for people, the official said.
The official said these initiatives are part of the SMART-PDS scheme, a central sector programme aimed at strengthening India’s food distribution system through technology, including data analytics and biometric authentication.
The official said IAeSCM uses Aadhaar-based biometric authentication to ensure benefits reach only rightful beneficiaries, preventing leakages and fraud. The system records every transaction in real time, from storage to final delivery, improving transparency and stock monitoring. Automated, paperless processes enhance efficiency, while detailed records of time, location and beneficiary data strengthen accountability and grievance redressal.
