India’s welfare delivery system is increasingly relying on digital automation. The latest development is the mandatory use of Facial Recognition Software (FRS) in Anganwadi centres. These centres, set up in 1975, provide crucial nutrition and early childhood care under the Integrated Child Development Scheme. The introduction of FRS aims to verify beneficiaries but has raised concerns among frontline workers and communities.
Background of Anganwadi Centres
Anganwadis serve as grassroots nutrition and childcare hubs. There are over 14 lakh centres across India. Each centre is staffed by an Anganwadi worker (AWW) and a helper, both women from the local community. They provide preschool education, health services, and legally mandated Take Home Rations (THR) for children under three and pregnant or lactating women.
Introduction of Digital Monitoring Tools
In 2021, the government launched the Poshan Tracker app to monitor nutrition programs. AWWs must update data on children’s nutritional status regularly. Since July 2025, THR distribution requires beneficiaries to authenticate their identity using FRS integrated into the app. This involves prior e-KYC using Aadhaar and biometric verification.
Purpose and Assumptions Behind FRS
The FRS aims to prevent fraud by ensuring that only genuine beneficiaries receive food. It also seeks to stop ration theft by workers or others. However, this presupposes guilt rather than innocence, conflicting with natural justice principles. It implies suspicion towards both beneficiaries and frontline workers.
Operational Challenges Faced by Anganwadi Workers
AWWs report multiple difficulties. Many beneficiaries change phone numbers or lack access to phones for OTP verification. Network issues and low phone capacity cause frequent app crashes. Face matching errors require repeated attempts, frustrating both workers and beneficiaries. Despite personal knowledge of beneficiaries, AWWs cannot override app failures, blocking food distribution.
Core Problems in Take Home Rations Delivery
The main issues in THR are poor quality rations, irregular supply, outdated budget allocations, and corruption in contract awarding. Supreme Court orders for decentralised production through self-help groups remain unimplemented. Fraudulent claims by fake beneficiaries are not problem, yet FRS focuses on this minor issue.
Concerns Over Technological Imposition
FRS use in vulnerable communities risks treating citizens as criminals. It is introduced without consultation with frontline workers. Transparency on fraud data is lacking. Community monitoring is a more effective verification method. Globally, FRS is banned in some tech hubs like San Francisco due to privacy concerns.
Wider Implications for Welfare and Technology
The move towards automation in welfare delivery raises ethical questions. It risks dehumanising beneficiaries and workers alike. Early childhood care should not depend on the reliability of software. The balance between technological efficiency and human dignity remains critical.
Questions for UPSC:
- Point out the challenges faced by frontline workers in implementing digital welfare schemes in India.
- Critically analyse the impact of biometric technologies on privacy and rights of vulnerable populations with suitable examples.
- Estimate the role of decentralisation in improving the delivery of social welfare schemes in India and how technology can support or hinder this process.
- What is the significance of community monitoring in social welfare programmes? How does it compare with technological interventions in terms of effectiveness and inclusivity?
