Mod 1: Food Security — Concept, NFSA 2013 and the Food Security Mission
4B.1.1 What food security means — entitlements, access and the PDS
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- School
- Class 10+2
- BPSC
- UPSC
- Define food security and its dimensions.
- Explain Amartya Sen’s entitlement idea.
- Separate national from household food security.
- Track the food subsidy and why PDS prices are raised.
Godowns are full of grain, yet a family in the same district skips meals. Is India food-secure?
Show answer
At the national level, yes — there is enough grain. At the household level, no — that family lacks access (income, ration card, distance). Food security needs both.
NCERT Class 9 gives three (availability, accessibility, affordability). FAO adds two more.
📌 Solves: Q57, Q129
CheckQuick check: Is “accountability” a dimension of food security?
No.
Sen asked: why do people starve when food exists?
📌 Solves: Q128, Q130
From ₹2,800 crore to over ₹2 lakh crore.
📌 Solves: Q59, Q131
Since 1 January 2023 grain for NFSA beneficiaries is free under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, extended for five years from 1 January 2024.
1 markName three dimensions of food security (NCERT).
Availability, accessibility, affordability.
3 marksExplain “national food security without household food security”.
Enough stocks nationally; but low incomes, poor PDS reach and distance keep some households hungry.
PYQ patternWho introduced the entitlement concept? (a) Swaminathan (b) Amartya Sen (c) Kurien (d) Borlaug
(b).
MainsWhy can hunger coexist with surplus grain? (150 words)
Sen’s entitlement failure; low wages, high prices, poor distribution, exclusion errors in PDS, nutrition gaps; remedies: NFSA, ONORC, nutrition schemes, employment.
Q131 · Q59 · Q57 · Q128 · Q129 · Q130
Arranged in chronological order of exam year in the Questions panel →
- Visit a ration shop: what is given, to whom, and at what price?
- I can name the five dimensions.
- I can explain Sen’s entitlement idea.
- I can explain why PDS prices are raised.
- Dimensions: availability, access, affordability, utilisation, stability.
- Sen: famine = entitlement failure.
- National ≠ household food security.
- Food subsidy: ₹2,800 cr (1992-93) → ₹8,700 cr (1998-99) = 3.1×.
- 2026-27 BE: ₹2,27,629 cr.
- NCERT Class 9 Economics Ch 4.
- Amartya Sen, Poverty and Famines (1981).
- Union Budget 2026-27; CAG report on PDS (2000).
- Food security dimensions: availability, access, affordability, utilisation, stability.
- Entitlement approach: Amartya Sen.
- Food subsidy rose 3.1× (1992-93 to 1998-99).
- Food subsidy BE 2026-27: ₹2,27,629 crore.
- Question: Who gave the entitlement approach to famine? Answer: Amartya Sen.
- Question: Why are PDS issue prices raised? Answer: To lessen the subsidy burden.
- Question: Food subsidy BE 2026-27? Answer: ₹2,27,629 crore.
MCQs — previous-year questions in exam-year order
Answer this question, then use Next.
PYQ · Q131 · U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995
The reason for increase in price of foodgrains distributed through public distribution system is to:
PYQ · Q59 · U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2001, 2003; U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002
According to the report of CAG published in the year 2000 on PDS, the government subsidy on foodgrains increased from 1992-93 to 1998-99 by:
Food subsidy Rs 2800 cr (1992-93) to Rs 8700 cr (1998-99) = 3.1 times. BE 2026-27 Rs 227629 cr; 2025-26 BE 203420 cr, RE 228153 cr (12.16% above BE).
PYQ · Q57 · U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Mains) 2008
What do we mean by the statement "India has achieved national food security but has not secured household food security"?
Adequate stocks but weaker sections lack purchasing power/access.
PYQ · Q128 · U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2025
Who among the following introduced the concept of entitlements in food security? 1. M. S. Swaminathan 2. Atul Pranay 3. Samali Srikant 4. Amartya Sen
Amartya Sen: famine = failure of entitlements (production, exchange/wage, transfers).
PYQ · Q129 · U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2025
Which of the following is/are NOT a dimension of food security? 1. Availability 2. Accessibility 3. Affordability 4. Accountability
Dimensions: availability, access, affordability, utilisation, stability.
PYQ · Q130 · U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2025
Assertion (A): Food security is necessary even in surplus food production years. Reason (R): Starvation can still occur due to unequal distribution and lack of accessibility.
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Who gave the entitlement approach to famine?
Amartya Sen.Why are PDS issue prices raised?
To lessen the subsidy burden.Food subsidy BE 2026-27?
₹2,27,629 crore.4B.1.2 National Food Security Act, 2013 — rights, rations and food safety
🏫 School → 🇮🇳 UPSC · NCERT-linked · latest official data
- School
- Class 10+2
- BPSC
- UPSC
- State NFSA’s coverage and entitlements.
- Know the four schedules.
- Recall the women and children provisions.
- Know the State Food Commission and FSSAI.
Before 2013, ration was a welfare scheme. After 2013 it became something else. What?
Show answer
A legal right. NFSA turned subsidised grain from welfare into an entitlement you can claim.
Learn three numbers: 75, 50 and two-thirds.
| Category | Quantity | Price under the Act |
|---|---|---|
| Priority households | 5 kg per person per month | ₹3 rice, ₹2 wheat, ₹1 coarse grain |
| Antyodaya Anna Yojana (poorest) | 35 kg per household per month | Same prices |
Free since 1 Jan 2023 under PMGKAY (extended for 5 years from 1 Jan 2024).
📌 Solves: Q112, Q113, Q114, Q118
CheckQuick check: Is ≈50 crore people covered under NFSA?
No — about 80 crore (max 81.34 crore).
NFSA is the only food law that names the eldest woman as head of the household.
- Eldest woman (18+) is head of household for the ration card.
- Pregnant women & lactating mothers: free meal / take-home ration of 600 kcal and 18–20 g protein during pregnancy and 6 months after birth (not 1,600 kcal) + maternity benefit of at least ₹6,000.
- Children 6 months–14 years: meals through ICDS (anganwadi) and mid-day meals.
- Beneficiaries are identified with SECC data — not only “BPL” families.
📌 Solves: Q112, Q115
JPSC 2016 said the Act has “only two schedules”. It has four.
| Schedule | Content |
|---|---|
| I | Subsidised prices under TPDS |
| II | Nutritional standards |
| III | Provisions for advancing food security |
| IV | State-wise allocation of foodgrains |
| Body | Section | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| State Food Commission | 16 | Every State, by notification; Chairperson + 5 members + Member-Secretary |
| Joint State Food Commission | 19 | Two or more States, with Centre’s approval |
📌 Solves: Q111, Q116, Q117
Food security = enough food. Food safety = safe food.
| Point | Fact |
|---|---|
| Replaced | Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954, Fruit Products Order 1955, Meat Food Products Order 1973, Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order 1947 and others |
| Regulator | FSSAI, under the administrative control of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
| Head | Independent Chairperson (rank of Secretary) — not the Director General of Health Services |
📌 Solves: Q119
Portability: an NFSA card-holder can draw grain from any ration shop in India using Aadhaar-based authentication.
1 markHow much grain per person per month under NFSA?
5 kg.
3 marksList three provisions of NFSA for women.
Eldest woman head of household; THR 600 kcal; maternity benefit ≥ ₹6,000.
PYQ patternThe State Food Commission is set up under (a) NFSA 2013 (b) NFSA 2019 (c) NFSA 2020 (d) none
(a).
Prelims1. NFSA covers up to 75% rural and 50% urban. 2. Only BPL families are eligible. Which is correct?
1 only.
Q111 · Q115 · Q119 · Q112 · Q116 · Q118 · Q117 · Q113 · Q114
Arranged in chronological order of exam year in the Questions panel →
- Write the four schedules from memory.
- I know NFSA coverage and entitlements.
- I know the provisions for women.
- I know the four schedules.
- I know FSSAI is a separate law.
- NFSA in force 5 July 2013 (notified 10 Sept 2013).
- 75% rural, 50% urban; ≈80 crore covered (max 81.34 crore).
- 5 kg/person; AAY 35 kg/household; ₹3/2/1 (free since 2023).
- Eldest woman = head; THR 600 kcal; ≥ ₹6,000 maternity benefit.
- State Food Commission (Sec 16); FSSAI under FSS Act 2006.
- National Food Security Act, 2013 (bare Act).
- Department of Food & Public Distribution; PIB releases on PMGKAY.
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- NFSA: 75% rural, 50% urban; ≈ two-thirds of population; ≈80 crore covered.
- 5 kg/person/month; AAY 35 kg/household.
- Four schedules: prices, nutrition, advancing food security, state allocation.
- Delhi first e-ration card (March 2015).
- Question: Date NFSA came into force? Answer: 5 July 2013.
- Question: Head of household for ration card under NFSA? Answer: Eldest woman aged 18 or above.
- Question: First State to launch e-ration card? Answer: Delhi.
MCQs — previous-year questions in exam-year order
Answer this question, then use Next.
PYQ · Q111 · J.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016
Which of the followings is not true for National Food Security Act?
Four schedules: I subsidised prices TPDS; II nutritional standards; III provisions for advancing food security; IV state-wise allocation.
PYQ · Q115 · I.A.S. (Pre) 2018
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 BPL only are eligible to receive subsidised foodgrains. 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.
Beneficiaries via SECC; THR 600 kcal and 18-20 g protein; maternity benefit not less than Rs 6000.
PYQ · Q119 · I.A.S. (Pre) 2018
Consider the following statements: 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
FSS Act 2006 repealed PFA 1954, Fruit Products Order 1955, Meat Food Products Order 1973, Veg Oil Products Order 1947. FSSAI under MoHFW with independent Chairperson (Secretary rank).
PYQ · Q112 · U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019
With reference to the National Food Security Act, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It will cover upto 75 percent rural and 50 percent urban population. II. Special focus on nutritional support to women and children. III. Eldest woman of above 18 years age will be head of household.
Enacted 5 July 2013 (notified 10 Sept 2013, retrospective). 5 kg/person/month at Rs 3/2/1 (rice/wheat/coarse); AAY 35 kg/household.
PYQ · Q116 · M.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020
Under which law, the State Food Commission is established?
Sec 16 NFSA: State Food Commission (chairperson, 5 members, member-secretary); Sec 19 joint commission.
PYQ · Q118 · U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021
Which of the following States started E-ration Card Service in first time?
Delhi, March 2015.
PYQ · Q117 · M.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023
The Food Preservation Commission is a statutory body established under which of the following Acts?
Act uses 'State Food Commission'.
PYQ · Q113 · U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2024
With reference to 'National Food Security Act', which of the following statements are correct? 1. It will cover up to 75% rural and 50% urban population. 2. It has special focus on nutritional support to women and children. 3. It was enforced on July 5, 2010.
Enforced 5 July 2013, not 2010.
PYQ · Q114 · R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2024
Consider the following statements regarding "National Food Security Act" (NFSA) in India: A. It was enacted on July 5, 2013. B. Around 50 crore persons have been covered under NFSA at present. C. The Act legally entitles upto 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized foodgrains.
Max coverage 81.34 crore; ~80 crore covered now.
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Date NFSA came into force?
5 July 2013.Head of household for ration card under NFSA?
Eldest woman aged 18 or above.First State to launch e-ration card?
Delhi.4B.1.3 National Food Security Mission — raising rice, wheat, pulses and more
🏫 School → 🇮🇳 UPSC · NCERT-linked · latest official data
- School
- Class 10+2
- BPSC
- UPSC
- Know when and why NFSM began.
- Recall the crop list then and now.
- State its targets across Plans.
- Separate what is and is not an NFSM objective.
NFSA and NFSM sound alike. What is the difference?
Show answer
NFSA (Act, 2013) gives people the right to cheap grain — consumption. NFSM (Mission, 2007) helps farmers grow more grain — production.
A National Development Council resolution started it.
📌 Solves: Q122, Q123
Notice the crops growing in the list.
| Period | Rice | Wheat | Pulses | Coarse cereals | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th Plan (by 2011-12) | 10 | 8 | 2 | — | 20 |
| 12th Plan (by 2016-17) | 10 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 25 |
| Beyond 12th Plan (by 2019-20) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 |
| # | Component |
|---|---|
| 1 | NFSM-Rice |
| 2 | NFSM-Wheat |
| 3 | NFSM-Pulses |
| 4 | NFSM-Coarse cereals (maize, barley) |
| 5 | NFSM-Sub-mission on nutri-cereals |
| 6 | NFSM-Commercial crops (cotton, jute, sugarcane) |
| 7 | NFSM-Oilseeds & oil palm |
| 8 | NFSM-Seed village programme |
📌 Solves: Q121, Q124, Q125, Q126, Q127
Three objectives; some strategies; one distractor.
| Item | Yes / No |
|---|---|
| Raise rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereal output via area + productivity in target districts | ✔ objective |
| Restore soil fertility and productivity | ✔ objective |
| Raise farm-level economy (profits) | ✔ objective |
| HYV seed distribution, demonstrations, popularising new varieties | ✔ strategy |
| Strengthening credit facilities | ✘ not an NFSM objective |
📌 Solves: Q120
Because the crop list grew. Write the then-answer and add “now covered” in your notes.
1 markWhen was NFSM launched?
October 2007 (2007-08).
2 marksGive the 11th Plan NFSM targets.
Rice 10, wheat 8, pulses 2 = 20 MT.
PYQ patternNFSM became effective from: (a) Rabi 2007-08 (b) Kharif 2007-08 (c) Rabi 2005-06 (d) Kharif 2006-07
(a).
PrelimsIs strengthening credit an NFSM objective?
No.
Q123 · Q127 · Q121 · Q125 · Q126 · Q120 · Q124 · Q122
Arranged in chronological order of exam year in the Questions panel →
- Make a two-column card NFSA vs NFSM (year, ministry, aim).
- I can date NFSM.
- I know crops then and now.
- I know the 20/25/13 MT targets.
- NDC 53rd meeting, 29 May 2007 → NFSM Oct 2007 (Rabi 2007-08).
- Started with rice, wheat, pulses.
- Coarse cereals 2014-15; oilseeds from 2018-19.
- Targets 20 → 25 → 13 MT.
- Credit is not an NFSM objective.
- NFSM Operational Guidelines; Department of Agriculture & FW.
- Planning Commission — NDC 53rd meeting record.
- NFSM launched Oct 2007 after NDC (29 May 2007).
- 11th Plan target 20 MT (rice 10, wheat 8, pulses 2).
- Eight components now including nutri-cereals, commercial crops, oilseeds.
- Strengthening credit is not an objective.
- Question: NFSM launched in? Answer: 2007-08 (October 2007).
- Question: Crops in NFSM at launch? Answer: Rice, wheat and pulses.
- Question: 12th Plan NFSM target? Answer: 25 million tonnes.
MCQs — previous-year questions in exam-year order
Answer this question, then use Next.
PYQ · Q123 · U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008
National Food Security Mission in India has become effective with effect from:
PYQ · Q127 · U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.)(Mains) 2008; U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2010; U.P.P.C.S. (Pre)(Re. Exam) 2015; 56th-59th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015
Which one of the followings is not included in the National Food Security Mission?
The book marks this (*): oilseeds (b) were outside NFSM at the time. From 2018-19 the oilseeds and oil palm mission was brought under NFSM, so today all four are covered. Then oilseeds (b); NMOOP merged into NFSM from 2018-19.
PYQ · Q121 · U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010
Which of the following crops is not covered under the National Food Security Mission?
The book marks this (*): in 2010 NFSM covered rice, wheat and pulses only, so coarse cereals (d) was the answer then. Coarse cereals were added from 2014-15, so today none of these is excluded. Then (d): coarse cereals added 2014-15. 11th Plan targets: rice 10, wheat 8, pulses 2 MT (20 MT). 12th Plan 25 MT (rice 10, wheat 8, pulses 4, coarse 3). Beyond 12th Plan 13 MT by 2019-20 (rice 5, wheat 3, pulses 3, coarse 2). From 2018-19/2019-20 NMOOP & seed village in NFSM: 8 components.
PYQ · Q125 · Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2013
Which of the following crops are covered under the National Food Security Mission?
The book marks this (*): in 2013 NFSM covered wheat, rice and pulses (d). Coarse cereals, commercial crops, nutri-cereals and oilseeds were added later. In 2013: rice, wheat, pulses (d). Coarse cereals added 2014-15, commercial crops too.
PYQ · Q126 · U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013
Which one of the following crops is not included in the National Food Security Mission (NFSM)?
The book marks this (*): coarse cereals (d) were outside NFSM in 2013; they were added in 2014-15. Then coarse cereals; now all included.
PYQ · Q120 · U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016
Which of the followings is not an objective of National Food Security Mission (NFSM)?
Launched Oct 2007: raise rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals; restore soil fertility; farm-level economy.
PYQ · Q124 · Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021
'National Food Security Mission' was launched to increase the production of which commodity/commodities?
PYQ · Q122 · Uttrakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2024
National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was launched in:
NDC 53rd meeting 29 May 2007; launched Oct 2007.
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
NFSM launched in?
2007-08 (October 2007).Crops in NFSM at launch?
Rice, wheat and pulses.12th Plan NFSM target?
25 million tonnes.