Abstract

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is a cornerstone of India’s social welfare framework designed to ensure food security stabilize commodity prices and provide subsidized essential goods to vulnerable populations. Assam with its unique geographic demographic and socioeconomic characteristics presents a complex environment for examining the effectiveness and reach of the PDS. This research explores the PDS in Assam from a socioeconomic perspective analyzing its accessibility coverage operational efficiency and impact on household welfare across different income caste and geographic categories. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach the study combines quantitative household survey data with qualitative interviews and secondary reports from government agencies civil society organizations and academic research. Key parameters examined include ration card distribution allocation and supply of essential commodities leakage and diversion in the system and overall beneficiary satisfaction. The s