Current Affairs - National - Discussion

Chandigarh was the Union Territory where the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for the Public Distribution System (PDS) was launched on August 16, 2026. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the pilot project, which uses e-RUPI digital vouchers to ensure transparent and leak-proof delivery of food subsidies. Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the initiative uses blockchain-based CBDC technology for real-time transaction settlement. Similar CBDC-linked models are also being explored for agricultural and fertiliser subsidy distribution.