Tech Boost in Fight Against Malnutrition: UP's Facial Recognition Integration

The Uttar Pradesh government is stepping up its battle against malnutrition with the integration of the Face Recognition System (FRS) into the Poshan Tracker. This new initiative aims to ensure the transparent delivery of Take-Home Ration (THR) to pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescents, and young children. An official statement underlines the state's commitment to achieving 100% FRS coverage by July 1.

FRS serves as a dual-authentication system, combining facial recognition with one-time password (OTP) verification. Beneficiaries' photographs are verified against Aadhaar-linked e-KYC data, with OTPs sent to registered mobile numbers, and confirmed at Anganwadi centers. This robust mechanism is designed to prevent fraud, ensuring that rations are delivered to the rightful recipients.

Since its pilot launch in Kanpur Nagar's Bidhanu and Sarsaul in 2024, the program has expanded statewide. As of June 13, e-KYC processing for over 1.18 crore beneficiaries is ongoing. Districts like Kanpur Nagar are leading in progress, while slower regions like Badaun and Bahraich will be prioritized with focused efforts. State funding for THR will be contingent on FRS registration status, with comprehensive oversight delegated to district authorities and chief development officers.

(With inputs from agencies.)