Facial Recognition Raise Poshan 2.0 Transparency

Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi announced on Monday that a new facial recognition system for Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 will enhance transparency by ensuring benefits reach genuine beneficiaries. Speaking at a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting in New Delhi, Devi emphasized that the technology will eliminate duplication and leakages, streamlining service delivery.

The system, mandatory for take-home ration distribution since July 1, 2025, involves a one-time Aadhaar-based eKYC and live photo capture during onboarding, followed by monthly face matching for identity verification. For children without biometric-enabled Aadhaar, verification is conducted via a parent or guardian. Since August 1, beneficiary registration has been compulsory nationwide.

Senior officials, including Secretary Anil Malik and Additional Secretary Gyanesh Bharti, briefed MPs, such as Sudha Murthy and Kiran Chaudhary, on the system’s integration with the Poshan Tracker for real-time monitoring. The technology ensures beneficiaries visit anganwadi centres, fostering better engagement with workers and promoting health-seeking behavior.

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The initiative is set to improve accountability and efficiency, ensuring nutritional support reaches millions of women and children accurately. As Poshan 2.0 advances, this tech-driven approach marks a significant step toward equitable and transparent welfare delivery across India.

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