CBDC-based DBT under PMGKAY launched in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
The Government of India launched Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Direct Benefit Transfer of food subsidy under PMGKAY in the Union Territories of Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli on 14 August 2026.
Summary
The Government of India launched CBDC-based Direct Benefit Transfer under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in the Union Territories of Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli on 14 August 2026. Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated it with Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Under the system, the food subsidy is credited to the beneficiary's Digital Rupee wallet instead of a bank account and can be used only to buy foodgrains from empanelled merchants. Smartphone users pay through QR codes, while feature-phone users can use an OTP-based mechanism.
Key facts
- Scheme
- PMGKAY food subsidy via CBDC-based DBT
- UTs
- Chandigarh; Dadra & Nagar Haveli
- Wallet
- Digital Rupee (e₹), purpose-bound for foodgrains
- Access
- QR codes (smartphones); OTP (feature phones)
- Tagline
- Har Dana, Har Rupya, Har Adhikar
Practice MCQs 2 questions
In which two Union Territories was CBDC-based Direct Benefit Transfer under PMGKAY launched on 14 August 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
The CBDC-based DBT of food subsidy under PMGKAY was launched in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
Consider the following statements about the CBDC-based DBT under PMGKAY: 1. The food subsidy is credited to the beneficiary's Digital Rupee wallet instead of a bank account. 2. Only smartphone users can use the facility. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Smartphone users can pay through QR codes, while feature-phone users can use an OTP-based mechanism.