Content

1. Securing Every Plate

Securing Every Plate

CONTEXT & BACKGROUND

• Constitutional Basis:
  • Article 47 (Directive Principles): Duty of the State to raise nutrition level and standard of living.
  • Right to Food interpreted as part of Article 21 (Right to Life) — PUCL vs Union of India (2001).
• Economic & Social Context:
  • India produces over 330 million tonnes of foodgrains (2023-24) yet faces persistent undernutrition — NFHS-5 (2019–21) shows 35.5% children stunted, 32.1% underweight.
  • Balancing production, distribution, and nutrition equity is the core policy challenge.
• Objective of the Mission (2025):
  To ensure food and nutritional security for 81 crore citizens through a production–distribution–nutrition continuum, combining agricultural, welfare, and technological reforms.

Relevance :

• GS 2 – Governance & Social Justice: Welfare schemes, food security, rights-based entitlements, delivery mechanisms (NFSA, TPDS, PMGKAY).
• GS 3 – Agriculture & Economy: Foodgrain production, procurement, storage, and technology-driven supply chains.
• GS 3 – Science & Technology: Use of digital platforms (ONORC, SMART-PDS, Mera Ration) in welfare governance.
• GS 2 – Polity: Constitutional linkage — Article 21 (Right to Life) and Article 47 (Directive Principles).
• GS 1 – Society: Issues of hunger, malnutrition, and nutrition equity.

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION

DUAL FRAMEWORK OF FOOD SECURITY

A. Production Pillar — NFSNM (National Food Security & Nutrition Mission)

• Origin: Began as NFSM in 2007–08; renamed NFSNM in 2024–25.
• Aim: Boost productivity & integrate nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
• Components:
  • Expansion to rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals.
  • Soil fertility restoration, integrated pest/nutrient management.
  • Distribution of certified seeds, crop demonstrations.
  • Capacity building of farmers through seasonal trainings.
• Institutional Coverage: Implemented across all States/UTs; monitored by DAC&FW (MoA&FW).
• Outcome: Sustained record foodgrain production — 330.5 MMT (2023–24).

B. Distribution Pillar — NFSA 2013 & TPDS

• Coverage: Up to 75% rural, 50% urban population (≈81.35 crore persons).
• Entitlements:
  • AAY households: 35 kg/household/month.
  • Priority households: 5 kg/person/month.
• Free foodgrains since Jan 2023; extended till Dec 2028 under PMGKAY with ₹11.80 lakh crore outlay.
• Current beneficiaries (Oct 2025): 78.9 crore.
• Special Entitlements:
  • Pregnant/lactating women & children (6 months–14 years):
    • Meals under ICDS & PM-POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal).
    • ₹6,000 maternity benefit under PMMVY.
  • Revised nutritional norms (2023) — improved caloric & micronutrient content.

DELIVERY SYSTEM — TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System)

Administrative Responsibility

•  
• Procurement System:
  • Decentralized Procurement (DCP): States like Punjab, MP, Chhattisgarh procure directly.
  • Centralized Procurement (Non-DCP): FCI-led procurement.

Procurement Data (2025)

• Paddy (KMS 2024–25): 813.88 LMT, valued ₹1.9 lakh crore (1.15 crore farmers).
• Wheat (RMS 2025–26): 300.35 LMT, valued ₹72,834 crore (25.13 lakh farmers).
• Central Pool Stock (July 2025): Rice – 377.83 LMT; Wheat – 358.78 LMT (well above buffer norms).

SUPPLEMENTARY & INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

• Launched 2020 (COVID-19 emergency); now merged with NFSA free grain supply.
• Universal free grain entitlement till 2028.
• ₹11.80 lakh crore fully borne by Centre.

Rice Fortification Initiative

• Launched: 2019 pilot; scaled to all districts by March 2024.
• Micronutrients: Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12.
• Phased implementation:
  • Phase I – ICDS & PM POSHAN (2021–22)
  • Phase II – +TPDS (269 districts, 2022–23)
  • Phase III – All India coverage (2023–24)
• Cabinet approval (2025): Continue till Dec 2028, ₹17,082 crore.
• Covers 65% of population dependent on rice as staple.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for Food Subsidy

• Rules notified (2015); optional for States/UTs.
• Implemented in: Chandigarh, Puducherry, and parts of DNH&DD.
• Mechanism: Subsidy cash credited directly → beneficiaries buy foodgrains from open market.
• Advantages: Reduced leakage, dietary choice, financial inclusion.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) & PM POSHAN

• ICDS Coverage: up-to 6 years children, pregnant & lactating women, adolescent girls (14–18 yrs).
• FY 2024–25 Allocation: 26.46 LMT grains.
• PM POSHAN Coverage: Govt & aided schools up to age 14.
• FY 2024–25 Allocation: 22.96 LMT grains.
• Impact: Improved attendance, learning outcomes, and nutrition.

One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC)

• Implemented in all 36 States/UTs.
• Enables portability across FPSs via Aadhaar-authenticated ePoS.
• 191 crore portability transactions (till Oct 2025).
• Major relief for migrant workers.

Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)]

• Disposal of surplus rice/wheat to:
  • Stabilize prices
  • Boost availability
  • Prevent inflation
• Bharat Atta & Bharat Rice (2025): Affordable staples for general consumers.

TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN GOVERNANCE REFORMS

Key Digital Innovations

1. Mera Ration 2.0 (2024)

• Real-time entitlements, nearest FPS locator, transaction details.
• 1 crore+ downloads.

2. Anna Mitra App (2024)

• Field monitoring & stock management for FPS dealers/officers.
• Operational in 15 States/UTs.

3. SMART-PDS (2025 rollout)

• Integrated tech architecture covering:
  • Procurement
  • Supply Chain
  • Ration Card/FPS mgmt
  • Biometric Distribution (e-KYC)
• Aim: Real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and zero-leakage regime.

FINANCIAL & INSTITUTIONAL DIMENSIONS

CHALLENGES & WAY FORWARD

Challenges

• Nutritional Diversification: Overreliance on cereals; limited pulses, millets.
• Leakages & Exclusion Errors: Though reduced, still prevalent in few States.
• Climate Variability: Threatens MSP procurement regions.
• Fiscal Burden: ₹2.5–3 lakh crore annually on food subsidy.
• Storage & Logistics: FCI faces high carrying cost and wastage risk.

Way Forward

• Diversify procurement basket: Include millets, pulses, oilseeds (align with IYOM 2023 momentum).
• Nutrition-sensitive agriculture: Integrate horticulture & animal protein programs.
• Smart logistics: Warehouse digitalization, AI-based buffer forecasting.
• DBT scale-up: Empower consumer choice and reduce subsidy distortion.
• Strengthen local food systems: Leverage SHGs & cooperatives (e.g., Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana linkage).

CONCLUSION

• India’s food security architecture now combines:
  • NFSNM – Ensures production & nutritional yield.
  • NFSA + TPDS/PMGKAY – Ensures equitable access.
  • Tech-driven governance (SMART-PDS, ONORC) – Ensures efficiency & transparency.
• This multi-layered framework ensures that no citizen sleeps hungry, that farmers are supported, and that nutrition equity becomes a national guarantee.
• India’s journey from “ship-to-mouth” (1960s) to “food surplus and fortified” (2025) exemplifies a transformation anchored in production strength, welfare expansion, and digital transparency.