Current Affairs - State - Discussion

Himachal Pradesh became the first Indian state to introduce Aadhaar-based face authentication (FaceAuth) for ration distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This system, launched in July 2025, was developed to address challenges with previous methods like fingerprint scans and OTP verification, which often failed in hilly and remote areas due to network issues or biometric mismatches. The new FaceAuth method uses a mobile app on Fair Price Shop dealers’ smartphones to scan beneficiaries’ faces and match them with Aadhaar records, ensuring quicker and more reliable authentication. This initiative marks a significant advancement in digital governance and inclusive public service delivery.