In a landmark step toward modernizing India’s food storage infrastructure, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi, launched Depot Darpan, a digital self-assessment and performance monitoring portal aimed at ensuring the highest standards of warehousing excellence across the country.
Envisioned by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) and developed by CSM Tech, Depot Darpan is a unified platform that enables depot managers and staff, especially of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), to monitor, evaluate, and improve the operational and infrastructural performance of over 2,200 food grain depots nationwide. The launch event was also attended by Shri Piyush Goyal, who lauded the initiative as a significant leap in digital governance and food security. “Depot Darpan is not just a technology solution—it is a mission to preserve the dignity of our farmers’ produce and ensure our citizens receive what is rightfully theirs,” he stated.
At its core, Depot Darpan brings together advanced technologies such as IoT sensors, AI-powered surveillance, geo-tagged auditing, and mobile-based real-time dashboards to enable predictive, transparent, and accountable warehouse management. The platform captures key metrics like temperature, humidity, phosphine levels, and fire safety, while also automating security checks with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Face Recognition Systems (FRS).
Depot managers are empowered to upload geo-tagged inputs of depot infrastructure and generate automated ratings and action points for timely improvements. The system includes a grading framework where operational performance carries a 60% weightage and infrastructure standards 40%. Parameters include storage efficiency, transit losses, manpower productivity, and profitability. Depots that meet top-tier standards will be eligible for five-star ratings, incentivizing a culture of excellence and continual improvement.
Secretary DFPD Shri Sanjeev Chopra emphasized the shift this platform represents: “Depot Darpan transforms how we monitor food grain quality, storage conditions, and operational efficiency. It is a key enabler in achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat.” He added that the portal ensures 100% validation by supervisory officers and random third-party audits, reinforcing the credibility of performance metrics.
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CSM Tech, as the technology partner, played a critical role in designing and building the digital backbone of this platform which is committed to building a scalable, data-driven platforms that deliver measurable public impact. The platform enables proactive decision-making and strengthens India's food distribution network.
Depot Darpan not only standardizes warehousing procedures across regions but also provides field officers with mobile access to performance dashboards, exception alerts, and analytics for real-time decision-making. A live demonstration during the launch event showcased the system’s operational readiness and scalability. Smart warehouse technologies under the platform are currently being piloted and are expected to be rolled out nationwide by the end of the year.
The initiative is a cornerstone in the Government of India’s ongoing mission to ensure food security for over 80 crore beneficiaries. With Depot Darpan, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has laid a strong digital foundation for transparent, efficient, and secure warehousing practices—reinforcing India’s commitment to building a resilient public distribution system.
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