Developed in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) India and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Anna Chakra stands alongside international finalists including Chewy, NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, and ECCO Shoe. The Franz Edelman Award is widely regarded as the “Nobel Prize of Operations Research and Analytics,” recognizing high-impact applications of advanced analytics worldwide.
Launched by Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi in December 2025, Anna Chakra applies advanced optimization models to streamline the movement of food grains across India. The initiative has delivered an estimated annual savings of ₹250 crore, reduced emissions by 35%, and enhanced operational efficiency for more than 81 crore PDS beneficiaries, including the most vulnerable populations.
“We are honoured to be recognized on these platforms,” said Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, DFPD. “The Anna Chakra model represents the power of applying scientific methods to strengthen public systems. Our partnership with WFP India and IIT Delhi has been instrumental in achieving this milestone.”
Earlier this month, Anna Chakra also received the CDSA ORSI Excellence in Management Science and Analytics Practice Award 2026 at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, reaffirming the initiative’s national and international significance. The project highlights India’s ability to leverage data-driven solutions for large-scale public service reforms.
The winner of the 2026 Franz Edelman Award will be announced at the INFORMS Analytics+ Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, USA, from April 12–14, 2026, placing India’s PDS innovations on a global stage.
Anna Chakra demonstrates the effectiveness of combining government, academia, and international organizations to deliver data-driven, scalable solutions that enhance public welfare. Its recognition as a Franz Edelman finalist underscores India’s growing prominence in global analytics and operations research for public systems.
