. NEW DELHI: After introducing biometric verification through Facial Recognition System (FRS) for beneficiaries registered with anganwadis who receive ‘take home rations’ (THR), the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is working on a module to “universalise” FRS by extending it to ‘hot cooked meals’ served to children who visit these centres.Under FRS, photo capturing of beneficiaries and e-KYC based on Aadhaar system during registration is done. For children, a parent or any guardian undergoes the process and not the child since Bal-Aadhaar (age 0-5 years) does not have biometrics. A fresh photo at THR distribution stage is matched with the already stored verified image of the beneficiary.According to a statement from the ministry, as of Dec 31, 2025, out of 4.73 crore beneficiaries eligible for THR, a total of 4.51 crore (91.38%) have completed their eKYC and face matching. In Dec, 2.79 crore (52.68%) eligible beneficiaries received THR using FRS.FRS-based verification to ensure last-mile tracking of THR delivery in anganwadis was made mandatory for existing beneficiaries from July 1 last year. The ministry, in a communication to states, had also said that FRS would be introduced at the stage of registration of all new beneficiaries under the supplementary nutrition programme from Aug 1 last year.WCD minister Annapurna Devi on Thursday said that overall Aadhaar verification of around 99% beneficiaries registered on the Poshan Tracker has been done. Mandatory biometric verification through facial authentication was also introduced from May last year for all new enrolments under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.“To ensure that actual genuine beneficiaries get the benefits, we are planning to universalise Facial Recognition System-based verification and will extend it to hot cooked meals at anganwadis. We have collected data and are working on implementing FRS in the entire supplementary nutrition programme (THR and HCM),” WCD secretary Anil Malik said.Under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) that aims to fill the gap in nutrition amongst children under six years of age as well as pregnant, lactating women and adolescent girls, the supplementary diet is delivered through two modalities – ‘Hot-Cooked Meal’ and ‘Take-Home Ration’ (THR), delivered in the form of raw ingredients or pre-cooked packets.The FRS-based verification being made mandatory has been criticised by anganwadi unions and civil society organisations who have raised fears of many genuine beneficiaries getting excluded.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Targets Mamata Banerjee Over ED Raid At I-PAC, Alleges Evidence TamperingFrom Op Sindoor To Venezuela: How Chinese Air Defence And Radar Systems Continue To Fail NationsDipu Das Lynching: Bangladesh Police Arrest Man Who Incited Mob As Attacks Against Hindus ContinueFrance Ditches Global South, Collective West As Jaishankar Warns Europe Of Changing World Order’Naughty, Nasty HM’: Mamata Slams Amit Shah After ED Raids TMC Leader Amid SIR RowPM Modi Launches ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’, Recalls Centuries-Old Resolve Behind Temple’s Revival“US Using Tariffs To Pressure India” Sareen Slams Trump Over Russia Sanction BillDonald Trump Pulls US Out Of India-Led Solar Alliance In Sweeping Exit From 66 Global AgenciesNew CCTV Footage Raises Questions Over Planning Behind Turkman Gate Clashes During Midnight DriveMinor Shooter Accuses National Coach Of Sexual Assault, NRAI Suspends Him Pending Police Inquiry123PhotostoriesBirthday Special: Farhan Akhtar’s movies to watch on OTTFarhan Akhtar’s social media moments with wife and kids10 smart and comforting sooji dishes to enjoy for breakfastExclusive: Viraj Bahl on the public admiration he’s been getting due to Shark Tank India; says ‘I still feel embarrassed when people ask me for selfies’‘Toxic’: Kiara Advani, Nayanthara to Rukmini Vasanth: Meet the leading ladies of Yash’s highly anticipated comeback filmHow to make comforting Gajar Matar Ki Sabzi at home10 most democratic countries in the world12 banana desserts enjoyed around the world’The Office’ to ‘Modern Family’: Best sitcoms to watch on PeacockCute Indian pet names for babies born in January 2026123Hot PicksMinneapolis Woman ShootMaharashtra civic pollsGold rate todayUAE citizenshipCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingCandace OwensTommy Fleetwood and Clare Fleetwood Net WorthTravis KelceBrandon TatumQuinn HutsonRic Flair Net Worth in 2025Rashee RiceMarshon Lattimore ArrestAnthony EdwardsStefon Diggs

. NEW DELHI: After introducing biometric verification through Facial Recognition System (FRS) for beneficiaries registered with anganwadis who receive ‘take home rations’ (THR), the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is working on a module to “universalise” FRS by extending it to ‘hot cooked meals’ served to children who visit these centres.Under FRS, photo capturing of beneficiaries and e-KYC based on Aadhaar system during registration is done. For children, a parent or any guardian undergoes the process and not the child since Bal-Aadhaar (age 0-5 years) does not have biometrics. A fresh photo at THR distribution stage is matched with the already stored verified image of the beneficiary.According to a statement from the ministry, as of Dec 31, 2025, out of 4.73 crore beneficiaries eligible for THR, a total of 4.51 crore (91.38%) have completed their eKYC and face matching. In Dec, 2.79 crore (52.68%) eligible beneficiaries received THR using FRS.FRS-based verification to ensure last-mile tracking of THR delivery in anganwadis was made mandatory for existing beneficiaries from July 1 last year. The ministry, in a communication to states, had also said that FRS would be introduced at the stage of registration of all new beneficiaries under the supplementary nutrition programme from Aug 1 last year.WCD minister Annapurna Devi on Thursday said that overall Aadhaar verification of around 99% beneficiaries registered on the Poshan Tracker has been done. Mandatory biometric verification through facial authentication was also introduced from May last year for all new enrolments under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.“To ensure that actual genuine beneficiaries get the benefits, we are planning to universalise Facial Recognition System-based verification and will extend it to hot cooked meals at anganwadis. We have collected data and are working on implementing FRS in the entire supplementary nutrition programme (THR and HCM),” WCD secretary Anil Malik said.Under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) that aims to fill the gap in nutrition amongst children under six years of age as well as pregnant, lactating women and adolescent girls, the supplementary diet is delivered through two modalities – ‘Hot-Cooked Meal’ and ‘Take-Home Ration’ (THR), delivered in the form of raw ingredients or pre-cooked packets.The FRS-based verification being made mandatory has been criticised by anganwadi unions and civil society organisations who have raised fears of many genuine beneficiaries getting excluded.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Targets Mamata Banerjee Over ED Raid At I-PAC, Alleges Evidence TamperingFrom Op Sindoor To Venezuela: How Chinese Air Defence And Radar Systems Continue To Fail NationsDipu Das Lynching: Bangladesh Police Arrest Man Who Incited Mob As Attacks Against Hindus ContinueFrance Ditches Global South, Collective West As Jaishankar Warns Europe Of Changing World Order’Naughty, Nasty HM’: Mamata Slams Amit Shah After ED Raids TMC Leader Amid SIR RowPM Modi Launches ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’, Recalls Centuries-Old Resolve Behind Temple’s Revival“US Using Tariffs To Pressure India” Sareen Slams Trump Over Russia Sanction BillDonald Trump Pulls US Out Of India-Led Solar Alliance In Sweeping Exit From 66 Global AgenciesNew CCTV Footage Raises Questions Over Planning Behind Turkman Gate Clashes During Midnight DriveMinor Shooter Accuses National Coach Of Sexual Assault, NRAI Suspends Him Pending Police Inquiry123PhotostoriesBirthday Special: Farhan Akhtar’s movies to watch on OTTFarhan Akhtar’s social media moments with wife and kids10 smart and comforting sooji dishes to enjoy for breakfastExclusive: Viraj Bahl on the public admiration he’s been getting due to Shark Tank India; says ‘I still feel embarrassed when people ask me for selfies’‘Toxic’: Kiara Advani, Nayanthara to Rukmini Vasanth: Meet the leading ladies of Yash’s highly anticipated comeback filmHow to make comforting Gajar Matar Ki Sabzi at home10 most democratic countries in the world12 banana desserts enjoyed around the world’The Office’ to ‘Modern Family’: Best sitcoms to watch on PeacockCute Indian pet names for babies born in January 2026123Hot PicksMinneapolis Woman ShootMaharashtra civic pollsGold rate todayUAE citizenshipCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingCandace OwensTommy Fleetwood and Clare Fleetwood Net WorthTravis KelceBrandon TatumQuinn HutsonRic Flair Net Worth in 2025Rashee RiceMarshon Lattimore ArrestAnthony EdwardsStefon Diggs


Govt gearing up to 'universalise' facial authentication for supplementary nutrition

NEW DELHI: After introducing biometric verification through Facial Recognition System (FRS) for beneficiaries registered with anganwadis who receive ‘take home rations’ (THR), the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is working on a module to “universalise” FRS by extending it to ‘hot cooked meals’ served to children who visit these centres.Under FRS, photo capturing of beneficiaries and e-KYC based on Aadhaar system during registration is done. For children, a parent or any guardian undergoes the process and not the child since Bal-Aadhaar (age 0-5 years) does not have biometrics. A fresh photo at THR distribution stage is matched with the already stored verified image of the beneficiary.According to a statement from the ministry, as of Dec 31, 2025, out of 4.73 crore beneficiaries eligible for THR, a total of 4.51 crore (91.38%) have completed their eKYC and face matching. In Dec, 2.79 crore (52.68%) eligible beneficiaries received THR using FRS.FRS-based verification to ensure last-mile tracking of THR delivery in anganwadis was made mandatory for existing beneficiaries from July 1 last year. The ministry, in a communication to states, had also said that FRS would be introduced at the stage of registration of all new beneficiaries under the supplementary nutrition programme from Aug 1 last year.WCD minister Annapurna Devi on Thursday said that overall Aadhaar verification of around 99% beneficiaries registered on the Poshan Tracker has been done. Mandatory biometric verification through facial authentication was also introduced from May last year for all new enrolments under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.“To ensure that actual genuine beneficiaries get the benefits, we are planning to universalise Facial Recognition System-based verification and will extend it to hot cooked meals at anganwadis. We have collected data and are working on implementing FRS in the entire supplementary nutrition programme (THR and HCM),” WCD secretary Anil Malik said.Under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) that aims to fill the gap in nutrition amongst children under six years of age as well as pregnant, lactating women and adolescent girls, the supplementary diet is delivered through two modalities – ‘Hot-Cooked Meal’ and ‘Take-Home Ration’ (THR), delivered in the form of raw ingredients or pre-cooked packets.The FRS-based verification being made mandatory has been criticised by anganwadi unions and civil society organisations who have raised fears of many genuine beneficiaries getting excluded.



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