The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and the Public Distribution System (PDS) are critical mechanisms for ensuring food security and reducing hunger, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Government efforts to fortify these systems can have significant impacts on hunger reduction and food security in several ways:

• Strengthening the TPDS and PDS involves expanding their reach to include more beneficiaries, particularly marginalized and vulnerable populations who may have been previously excluded. This expansion ensures that more households have access to essential food grains and other commodities at subsidized rates.
• Governments can enhance identification mechanisms to ensure that the right beneficiaries are targeted. Leveraging technology, such as biometric authentication and digital ration cards, helps minimize errors of inclusion and exclusion, ensuring that the intended recipients receive the benefits.
• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments increased the allocation of food grains under the TPDS and PDS. This ensured that households, particularly those impacted by job losses and economic downturns, had a steady supply of essential food items.
• Integrating technology into the TPDS and PDS, such as using GPS for tracking deliveries and digital payments, increases transparency and reduces corruption. These innovations ensure that food grains reach the intended beneficiaries without leakages.