The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Govt of India is organising InnoPDS- Transforming Food Distribution through Technology for the year 2024.
Thematic Area
In context of the issues at hand which is challenging both FPS delivery network and nutrition among beneficiaries, the Department is seeking innovative proposals to improve nutritional outcomes, along with enhancing FPS dealer income.
This may include a holistic transformation of FPS (Fair Price Shops) to nutrition hub with a aim to ensure that all citizens including the 80 crore beneficiaries under PMGKAY are adequately provided with sufficient wide nutrition rich food and other essential items. Additionally, the Department is also seeking innovative solutions to empower FPS owners to enhance their earnings through sustainable business model.
Problem Statement
a. Transforming FPS into Nutrition Hubs for Comprehensive Nutritional Access
Transforming existing FPS (Fair Price Shops) into Nutrition Hubs to ensure the poor and vulnerable are not only having access to essential food grains but also to proper nutrition. Towards this a wide range of ‘nutrient-rich’ edibles such as millets, pulses, cooking oils, raw fruits & vegetables, milk, eggs, soybean, and other available packaged food available in the market which will offer diverse nutrition to beneficiaries.
b. Empowering FPS Owners through Sustainable Business Models and Technological Innovation
The department is looking forward to unlocking new possibilities and opportunities for empowering the FPS owners in adopting sustainable business models through use of cutting-edge technologies. The essence is to transform FPSs into sustainable and financially viable option by leveraging technology ensuring to improved operational efficiency through selling non-PDS items at scale and innovative use of existing space.
Eligibility
- All entities recognised as Start-ups, Innovators, schools/academic institutions, skill development institutions and so on.
- All entities must provide innovative solutions in the aforementioned thematic areas.
Evaluation Process
A screening process will be adopted to evaluate the submissions. The screening committee will do an initial shortlisting of the forms, submitted by the participants. Thereafter, an Expert Committee’ comprising members from academia, start-ups, domain experts etc. will do the final screening of the solutions to zero down on the winners.
The following broad parameters shall be considered by committees for the evaluation of the proposals:
- Innovation
- Usability
- Relevance to the subject matter
- Impact on society i.e., how helpful will it be in solving the provided challenges?
- Replicability
- Scalability
- Ease of deployment/roll-out
- Potential risks involved in the implementation of the solution.
- Completeness of the proposal
Important dates
| 1 | Start Date- Form Submission | 7th June,2024 |
| 2 | Last date of Form and Idea Submission | 6th July,2024 |
| 3 | Evaluation of Idea | 29th July,2024 |
| 4 | Announcement of Winner | 5th August,2024 |
How to Register?
Interested candidates can register via this page.
Prizes
The top 3 most innovative idea will be awarded the following prizes:
- INR. 40,000 for the most innovative solution.
- INR. 25,000 for the second most innovative solution; and
- INR. 10,000 for the third most innovative solution.
