Amit Shah launches CBDC-based Public Distribution System pilot in Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Digital Food Currency pilot for the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 15 February 2026.
Summary
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Digital Food Currency pilot for the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 15 February 2026, with Food Minister Pralhad Joshi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel present. Under the pilot, run with the Reserve Bank of India and the Gujarat government in Ahmedabad, Anand, Valsad and Surat districts, digital food coupons generated through the RBI are credited to beneficiaries as programmable digital rupee (e₹) and redeemed at Fair Price Shops. Later phases will cover Chandigarh, Puducherry and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Joshi gave the slogan 'Har Dana, Har Rupiya, Har Adhikar'. Shah also inaugurated an 'Annapurna' machine that dispenses 25 kg of foodgrains in 35 seconds, and said the system would be implemented nationwide in 3â4 years. Static link: the RBI launched the first pilot of the retail digital rupee (e₹-R) on 1 December 2022.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 15 February 2026, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Launched by
- Amit Shah, with Pralhad Joshi and CM Bhupendra Patel
- Pilot districts
- Ahmedabad, Anand, Valsad, Surat
- Mechanism
- RBI-generated coupons credited as programmable e₹, redeemed at Fair Price Shops
- Next phases
- Chandigarh, Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
- Slogan
- Har Dana, Har Rupiya, Har Adhikar
- Annapurna machine
- 25 kg of foodgrains in 35 seconds
- Static link
- RBI retail e₹ pilot began 1 December 2022
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Where did Amit Shah launch the CBDC-based Public Distribution System pilot on 15 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D â Gandhinagar
Amit Shah launched the CBDC-based PDS in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat.
Which of the following districts is NOT among the four districts covered by the CBDC-based PDS pilot in Gujarat launched on 15 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D â Rajkot
The pilot covers Ahmedabad, Anand, Valsad and Surat districts.
Consider the following statements about the CBDC-based PDS pilot launched on 15 February 2026: 1. Digital food coupons are credited to beneficiaries as programmable digital rupee (e₹). 2. Its later phases are to cover the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Puducherry, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C â Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Coupons generated through the RBI are credited as programmable e₹, and subsequent phases will extend to the three Union Territories.
When did the Reserve Bank of India launch the first pilot of the retail digital rupee (e₹-R)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B â 1 December 2022
The RBI launched the first retail e₹-R pilot on 1 December 2022 with four banks in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar.