CBDC-Based DBT Launches in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Key facts

• The Government of India will launch a CBDC-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system for food subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli on August 14, 2026.
• This is the first fully digitised food subsidy delivery through Digital Rupee tokens in India.
• Eligible beneficiaries will receive subsidies directly into CBDC wallets instead of conventional bank transfers.
• The digital tokens can be used to purchase foodgrains from empanelled fair price shops via a real-time, traceable digital payment system.
• The initiative builds on earlier pilot projects in Puducherry and Gujarat.
• The launch will be attended by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Minister of State Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya.