Q.What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013? How has the Food Security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India?
How to approach: Identify every sub-question in the prompt, allocate dedicated sub-headings to each part, substantiate points with examples/data, and conclude with a forward-looking Way Forward.
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The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, is a paradigm-shifting legislation that transformed the concept of food security from a welfare-based approach to a legal, rights-based entitlement. It aims to ensure access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices, helping India combat the dual challenges of hunger and malnutrition.
Body Analysis
Salient Features of the NFSA, 2013
- Legal Coverage: Covers up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), encompassing nearly two-thirds of India's population.
- Subsidized Food Grains: Entitles beneficiaries to 5 kg of food grains per person per month at highly subsidized prices: Rice at Rs. 3/kg, Wheat at Rs. 2/kg, and Coarse Grains at Rs. 1/kg.
- Support for the Poorest (AAY): Households under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (the poorest of the poor) continue to receive 35 kg of food grains per household per month.
- Nutritional Support for Women and Children:
- Maternity Benefit: Pregnant women and lactating mothers receive nutritious take-home rations/meals and a cash transfer of at least Rs. 6,000.
- Children's Meals: Free, age-appropriate meals for children aged 6 months to 14 years through Anganwadis and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in schools.
- Women Empowerment: The eldest woman (18 years or older) is designated as the head of the household for issuing ration cards.
- Grievance Redressal: Mandates District Grievance Redressal Officers and State Food Commissions to address delivery lapses.
How NFSA Has Helped Eliminate Hunger and Malnutrition
1. Ensuring Food Access and Preventing Starvation
- The legally backed PDS has created a robust safety net, preventing starvation deaths during economic shocks.
- Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the integration of NFSA with the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provided free additional rations, preventing widespread hunger.
2. Improving Nutritional Intake for Vulnerable Groups
- Targeted nutritional interventions through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meals have improved maternal and child health.
- Example: Providing hot, cooked meals in schools has improved school enrollment and directly addressed classroom hunger and child wasting.
3. Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies
- The introduction of fortified staples (like fortified rice containing iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12) through the PDS has helped reduce anemia and hidden hunger.
4. Strengthening Rural Distribution Networks
- Doorstep delivery of food grains and digitized ration cards (One Nation One Ration Card) have reduced leakages, ensuring food reaches migrant workers and remote tribal communities.
Conclusion
While challenges like leakages, storage losses, and the need for dietary diversification (including pulses and millets) remain, the NFSA has successfully established a resilient food safety net. It has significantly reduced extreme hunger and laid a solid foundation for long-term nutritional security in India.
Question Specifications, Marking Rubric & Syllabus Mapping
| Examination & Year | UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2021 (Question 6) |
|---|---|
| Paper & Syllabus Topic | General Studies Paper III — Economy, Environment, S&T & Security → Governance, Social Justice & Welfare Schemes |
| Marks, Word Limit & Ideal Time | 10 Marks • 150 Words • Ideal Writing Time: 7–8 Minutes |
| Directive Word & Core Demand | Analytical / Multi-Dimensional: Address all explicit sub-parts of the question with balanced arguments, factual illustrations, and a solution-oriented conclusion. |
| Recommended Structure Split | Intro: ~20–25 Words • Body: ~100 Words (3–4 dimensions) • Conclusion: ~20–25 Words |
| AI Practice & Evaluation Tools | Upload Handwritten Answer for 3-Min Vision AI Evaluation | Generate Custom Answer & Mind Map |
Related & Repeated UPSC Mains PYQs (6)
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Food security bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO?
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Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?
What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyze and suggest measures for inclusive growth.
How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption?
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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Mains 2021 GS3 (Governance & Social Justice)
How should I structure the answer for this UPSC Mains 2021 GS Paper III question on Governance & Social Justice?
This 2021 GS Paper III question carries 10 marks with a 150-word limit and uses the "Analytical / Multi-Dimensional" directive. Identify every sub-question in the prompt, allocate dedicated sub-headings to each part, substantiate points with examples/data, and conclude with a forward-looking Way Forward. Follow the ideal word split (Intro: ~20–25 Words • Body: ~100 Words (3–4 dimensions) • Conclusion: ~20–25 Words) and aim to finish within 7–8 Minutes.
Which UPSC Mains syllabus topic does this 2021 question belong to?
This question is part of General Studies Paper III — Economy, Environment, S&T & Security under the syllabus module "Governance, Social Justice & Welfare Schemes". You can explore all repeated questions from Governance & Social Justice in Acme AI's 3D PYQ Realm or filter all Governance & Social Justice PYQs on the Mains PYQ Directory.
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