Chapter 5 · Topic 5.3 · Prelims + Mains3 of 3
Human Resources, Poverty & Hunger Issues: Food security and the PDS
Key points
- NFSA, 2013: up to 75% rural and 50% urban population covered.
- Entitlement: 5 kg grain per person a month (priority households); 35 kg per Antyodaya household.
- Eldest woman aged 18+ is head of household for the ration card.
- Free grain since January 2023 (PMGKAY), extended for five years from January 2024.
2 PYQs 2014–2023
Prelims box: facts and traps
- Prelims 2018: answer (b): only the eldest-woman statement is right.
- Pregnant and lactating women get a meal and maternity benefit of at least ₹6,000, not a 1,600-calorie take-home ration.
Food security and the PDS
Like a canteen card: a fixed monthly quantity at a fixed (now zero) price.
| NFSA, 2013 feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban population |
| Entitlement | 5 kg grain per person a month (priority households); 35 kg per Antyodaya household |
| Women | Eldest woman aged 18+ is head of household for the ration card |
| Since January 2023 | Grain is free under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, extended for five years from January 2024 |
Source: National Food Security Act, 2013 and government notifications.
Prelims 2018:
- Statement 1 (wrong): not only BPL families; priority and Antyodaya (poorest) households are eligible.
- Statement 2 (right): the eldest woman aged 18 or above is head of household for the ration card.
- Statement 3 (wrong), so answer (b): pregnant and lactating women get a meal and maternity benefit of at least ₹6,000, not a 1,600-calorie take-home ration.
With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements : 1. The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains. 2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card. 3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- 1 and 2
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (b) · UPSC official key
- Reforms that cut leakages: One Nation One Ration Card (rations anywhere), Aadhaar-linked ePoS machines (fingerprint-checking machines), and fortified rice (rice with added vitamins and iron).
- Debates: exclusion when fingerprints fail; coverage based on stale Census 2011; a cereal-heavy, low-diversity basket.
What UPSC asks: Prelims: 75% rural, 50% urban; eldest woman as head. Mains: exclusion gaps. Next likely angle: free grain since 2023.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- Reforms: One Nation One Ration Card, Aadhaar-linked ePoS, fortified rice.
- Gaps: biometric exclusion, Census 2011 base, cereal-heavy basket.
Practice
Mains PYQs on this topic (2)
- UPSC Mains 2023 · GS Paper II · Q6The crucial aspect of development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this inadequacy.How to approach: Intro: demographic dividend; HDI rank. Body: (1) Gaps: learning outcomes, health spending, skills, nutrition, women's work; (2) Measures: foundational literacy…
- UPSC Mains 2023 · GS Paper II · Q18Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment.How to approach: Intro: Skill India (2015), PMKVY, NSDC. Body: (1) Successes: crores trained, ITIs, apprenticeships (NAPS), sector skill councils; (2) Linkages: education builds…
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Human Resources, Poverty & Hunger Issues with one recent example.
Flashcards (5)
NFSA rural coverage?
Up to 75%.
NFSA urban coverage?
Up to 50%.
Antyodaya entitlement?
35 kg per household a month.
Ration card head under NFSA?
Eldest woman aged 18+.
Free grain under PMGKAY since?
January 2023.
Read more: related explainers
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Next chapter · 6. Development Processes & the Development Industry →Development Processes & the Development Industry: NGOs and civil society