For Prelims: Public Distribution System, Fair price shop, Reservation
For Mains: Governance: Public Distribution System; Society: Women's economic empowerment
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Haryana plans 2,651 new fair price shops statewide.
- Faridabad division has 312 planned ration depots across three districts.
- Nuh has the largest proposed divisional allocation, with 146 depots.
- Women have 33% reservation in ration depot allocation.
- The online application deadline for new ration depots in Faridabad division was extended to 25 November 2026.
The news
The Haryana Food and Supplies Department has announced plans to open 312 new fair price shops across three districts of the Faridabad division, with 33% of the allocations reserved for women. The department extended the online application deadline from 10 November to 25 November 2026 to allow more eligible applicants to participate, officials said.
The 312 shops are distributed as 146 in Nuh, 109 in Palwal and 57 in Faridabad. Statewide, the department plans to open 2,651 new fair price shops to strengthen the public distribution system and create local self-employment opportunities. District Food and Supplies Controller Kavita Parihar confirmed the revised deadline. The department has advised applicants to apply online within the extended period.
Why in the news?
The Haryana Food and Supplies Department extended the application deadline for 312 new ration depots in Faridabad division to 25 November 2026, with a 33% reservation for women, making it a current opportunity for eligible applicants and a policy move to expand the public distribution network.
How will the new depots be allocated?
The allocation of the 312 fair price shops will follow a district-wise distribution: Nuh gets the largest share with 146 shops, followed by Palwal with 109 and Faridabad with 57. The department has mandated 33% reservation for women in the allocation, which officials said is intended to enable women to become economically self-reliant through self-employment. Young applicants are also expected to benefit from the scheme.
What is the purpose of expanding the network?
The planned expansion of 2,651 fair price shops statewide aims to improve local access to the public distribution system, reducing the distance beneficiaries must travel to collect ration. The department also expects the new depots to generate self-employment opportunities at the local level, particularly for women and youth. The figures describe planned shops; their intended benefits depend on timely allocation and subsequent operation.
Planned ration depots by district
| District | Planned depots |
|---|---|
| Nuh | 146 |
| Palwal | 109 |
| Faridabad | 57 |
Haryana connection
Facts and terms for exams
- Public Distribution System:
- A system through which essential commodities are distributed to eligible beneficiaries through a network of fair price shops.
- Fair price shop:
- An outlet authorised to distribute commodities under the public distribution system.
- Reservation:
- The setting aside of a specified share of opportunities or allocations for an identified group.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: HPSC HCS, HSSC
Syllabus: Governance: Public Distribution System; Society: Women's economic empowerment
Common mistake: Examiners may swap the statewide total with the divisional total: 2,651 shops are planned across Haryana, while 312 are planned in Faridabad division. The shops are proposed, not already operational.
Mains question
Examine the role of fair price shops in strengthening the public distribution system in India, with reference to Haryana's recent expansion plan.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Haryana plans new ration depots to make distribution more accessible. A ration depot, also called a fair price shop, distributes commodities to eligible beneficiaries under the public distribution system. Women have a 33% reservation in the planned depot allocation, which can also provide self-employment.
- Haryana plans 2,651 new fair price shops statewide.
- Faridabad division has 312 planned ration depots across three districts.
- Nuh has the largest proposed divisional allocation, with 146 depots.
- Women have 33% reservation in ration depot allocation.
- The online application deadline for new ration depots in Faridabad division was extended to 25 November 2026.
- Governance: Public Distribution System
- Society: Women's economic empowerment
Related concepts: Public Distribution System, Fair price shop, Reservation
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which Haryana department is responsible for the planned allocation of new ration depots in 2026?
Explanation: The Haryana Food and Supplies Department is responsible for the planned ration depot allocation. The other departments deal with agriculture, education and health rather than this allocation.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about Haryana's planned ration depots in 2026:
- 1.The plan covers 2,651 new fair price shops statewide.
- 2.Palwal has a larger proposed allocation than Nuh.
- 3.Women have 33% reservation in depot allocation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: the statewide plan covers 2,651 shops and provides 33% reservation for women. Statement 2 is incorrect because Palwal has 109 proposed shops, compared with 146 in Nuh.
- Q3Medium
How many new ration depots are planned for Nuh district under Haryana's 2026 allocation?
Explanation: Nuh has an allocation of 146 planned depots. Palwal has 109, while 312 is the total for Faridabad division; 157 is not the Nuh allocation.
- Q4Medium
What is a principal objective of Haryana's plan for 2,651 new fair price shops in 2026?
Explanation: The planned shops aim to improve the public distribution system and expand local employment opportunities. Applications are online, the plan concerns new depots, and the women's reservation is 33%, not exclusive allocation.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many ration depots are planned in Faridabad division?
A total of 312 depots are planned: 146 in Nuh, 109 in Palwal and 57 in Faridabad.
2. What is the reservation for women in Haryana ration depot allocation?
Women have a 33% reservation in the allocation of the planned ration depots.
3. What is the application deadline for new ration depots in Faridabad division?
The online application deadline is 25 November 2026, extended from 10 November.
4. How many new fair price shops does Haryana plan statewide?
Haryana plans to open 2,651 new fair price shops across the state.
All sources
- Original13 November 2026 · Read story
