DFPD’s ‘Anna Chakra’ among top six global finalists for 2026 Franz Edelman Award.

New Delhi, January 23, 2026: The DFPD has emerged as one of the six global finalists for the prestigious 2026 Franz Edelman Award for its flagship initiative “Anna Chakra,” an operations research (O.R.)—based decision support system designed to strengthen India’s Public Distribution System(PDS) through optimized, state-specific logistics planning.

Developed in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) India and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Anna Chakra now stands alongside global corporate leaders such as Chewy, NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft and ECCO Shoe in the final shortlist.

Widely regarded as the “Nobel Prizes of Operations Research and analytics,” the Franz Edelman Award recognizes the world’s most impactful and high-value applications of advanced analytics.

The Department of Food and Public Distribution’s selection places Anna Chakra on the global stage as a benchmark for data-driven public system reform, large-scale logistics optimization and analytical innovation in governance.

Anna Chakra was launched in 2025:

Launched in December 2025 by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, Anna Chakra represents a successful government—UN—academia partnership. The platform advanced the nationwide movement of food grains, delivering measurable outcomes, including: estimated annual savings of Rs 250 crore, 35% reduction in logistics-related emissions, supporting India’s climate commitments, improved efficiency benefiting over 81 crore PDS beneficiaries, particularly vulnerable populations.

Anna Chakra’s selection for the final round highlighted its scalability and global relevance as a transformative model for public distribution reforms.

Recognition from IIM Ahmedabad:

Earlier this month, the initiative also received the CDSA ORSI excellence in management science and analytics practice award 2026 at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, further underscoring its national and international impact.

“We are honoured to be recognized on these global platforms,” said Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, DFPD.

Anna Chakra demonstrates the power of scientific and analytical methods in strengthening public systems. Our partnership with WFP India and IIT Delhi has been crucial in achieving this milestone.”

The winner of the 2026 Franz Edelman Award will be announced at the INFORMS Analytics Conference scheduled to be held in National Harbor, Maryland (USA), from April 12 to 14, 2026.

Also Read: IIT Delhi comes under the 125 list of QS World University rankings 2026.

EOM.