Food Security in India is one of the most important topics for NABARD Grade A preparation, especially under the Economic and Social Issues (ESI) and Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) sections. Questions from food security, nutrition, hunger, government schemes, and global reports are frequently asked in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 exam.
A strong understanding of this topic not only helps in answering objective questions but also improves descriptive answer-writing and interview performance. To help aspirants prepare effectively, this Food Security in India eBook covers all major concepts, government initiatives, and important reports, along with a free practice quiz for the upcoming exam.
What is food security in India?
Food security means that every individual has access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, and affordable food at all times. It goes beyond food production and includes accessibility, affordability, nutritional quality, and stability of food supply. In a country as large and diverse as India, ensuring food security remains a major developmental objective.
| Component of Food Security | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Availability | Adequate supply of food through production and imports |
| Accessibility | Ability of people to obtain food |
| Affordability | Food should be economically accessible |
| Utilization | Proper nutrition and food consumption |
| Stability | Continuous food availability over time |
Download Food Security in India eBook PDF for NABARD Grade A
Food Security in India is an important topic for the NABARD Grade A Exam under both the ARD and ESI sections. Questions related to food security, government schemes, nutrition, and hunger indices are frequently asked, making it essential for aspirants to understand the topic thoroughly.
Attempt Food Security in India Practice Quiz
The Food Security in India Practice Quiz helps candidates revise important concepts related to food availability, nutrition, food distribution, hunger indicators, and government initiatives.
1. Which Article of the Indian Constitution is interpreted to include the right to food as part of the right to live with human dignity?
2. Food security, as defined globally, is characterized by which of the following dimensions?
3. As per the United Nations report, what was the number of undernourished persons in India during 2019-21?
4. What percentage of children aged 6-23 months received an adequate diet in India during 2019-20?
5. What percentage of rural women workers are engaged in farming and agriculture, according to the passage?
6. What is India’s rank out of 113 major countries in terms of the food security index in 2022?
7. As per the Global Hunger Index 2022, what was India’s rank out of 121 countries?
8. According to the UN report, stunting among under-5 children in India declined from 48 percent to what level between 2005 and 2019?
9. Which group is NOT specifically mentioned among the worst affected by food insecurity in the passage?
10. Who is credited as the main figure behind the Green Revolution in India?
11. In which decade did the Green Revolution commence in India?
12. Which of the following is NOT listed as a method/practice associated with the Green Revolution?
13. Who purchases wheat and rice from farmers in surplus states to create the Buffer Stock?
14. What is the pre-announced price paid to farmers for their crops by the government called?
15. At what price is food distributed to the poorer sections under the Public Distribution System, relative to the market price?
16. Approximately how many ration shops (Fair Price Shops) exist across India, as per the passage?
17. On which date was the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE), the precursor to the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, launched?
18. By which year was the NP-NSPE introduced in all blocks of the country?
19. In September 2004, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme was revised to provide a cooked meal with how many calories and protein content?
20. In October 2007, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme was extended to cover children studying in which classes, and the scheme was renamed accordingly?
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Why is food security important for India?
Food security is directly linked with poverty reduction, health improvement, economic growth, and social development. A food-secure nation can ensure better productivity, lower malnutrition rates, and improved living standards for its population.
- Reduces hunger and malnutrition
- Improves public health outcomes
- Supports economic development
- Enhances workforce productivity
- Strengthens social stability
- Contributes to sustainable development
What are the four pillars of food security?
Food security is based on four fundamental pillars that collectively ensure people receive adequate nutrition and food throughout their lives.
| Pillar | Description |
| Availability | Sufficient food production and supply |
| Access | Physical and economic access to food |
| Utilization | Proper use of food for nutrition |
| Stability | Consistent access to food over time |
These pillars are often used in NABARD Grade A descriptive questions and are important from an examination perspective.
What are the major challenges to food security in India?
Despite being one of the world’s largest agricultural producers, India faces several challenges in ensuring food security for all sections of society. These challenges affect food production, distribution, and consumption.
- Poverty and income inequality
- Climate change and extreme weather events
- Declining agricultural productivity
- Food wastage and storage losses
- Population growth
- Regional disparities in food access
- Malnutrition among children and women
- Rising food prices
How does climate change affect food security?
Climate change has emerged as a significant threat to agriculture and food systems. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, droughts, floods, and extreme weather events directly impact crop production and food availability.
| Climate Factor | Impact on Food Security |
| Drought | Reduced crop production |
| Floods | Damage to agricultural land |
| Heatwaves | Lower crop yields |
| Water Scarcity | Reduced irrigation availability |
| Pest Attacks | Increased crop losses |
What is the role of agriculture in food security?
Agriculture is the backbone of food security in India. It provides food, employment, and income to a large section of the population. Higher agricultural productivity helps maintain food availability and price stability.
- Ensures food grain production
- Generates rural employment
- Supports allied activities like dairy and fisheries
- Improves rural livelihoods
- Contributes to national food reserves
What is the Public Distribution System (PDS)?
The Public Distribution System is one of India’s largest food security programmes. It distributes essential food grains at subsidized rates to eligible households through a network of fair price shops.
| Objective | Benefit |
| Food Access | Affordable food grains |
| Poverty Reduction | Support to vulnerable households |
| Nutrition Security | Regular food supply |
| Price Stability | Protection from market fluctuations |
What is the National Food Security Act (NFSA)?
The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to provide food and nutritional security to a large section of India’s population. It legally entitles eligible households to receive subsidized food grains through the Public Distribution System.
- Legal right to food security
- Coverage of nearly two-thirds of the population
- Subsidized food grains
- Nutritional support for women and children
- Focus on vulnerable groups
What is the Global Hunger Index?
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is an international report that measures hunger levels across countries. It is widely used by policymakers, researchers, and competitive exam aspirants to understand global food security challenges.
- Measure hunger levels worldwide
- Monitor progress against hunger
- Compare countries based on nutrition indicators
- Raise awareness about food insecurity
What indicators are used in the Global Hunger Index?
The Global Hunger Index evaluates hunger using four major indicators that reflect both food availability and nutritional outcomes.
| Indicator | Meaning |
| Undernourishment | Inadequate calorie intake |
| Child Stunting | Low height for age |
| Child Wasting | Low weight for height |
| Child Mortality | Deaths of children under five years |
How are GHI scores interpreted?
The GHI score helps classify the severity of hunger in different countries. A higher score indicates a more serious hunger situation.
| GHI Score | Hunger Level |
| 9.9 or less | Low |
| 10–19.9 | Moderate |
| 20–34.9 | Serious |
| 35–49.9 | Alarming |
| 50 or more | Extremely Alarming |
Which government schemes support food security in India?
The Government of India has launched several programmes to strengthen food security, improve nutrition, and support vulnerable sections of society.
| Scheme | Objective |
| National Food Security Act | Food security through legal entitlement |
| Public Distribution System | Distribution of subsidized food grains |
| PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana | Additional food support |
| Integrated Child Development Services | Child nutrition and development |
| Mid-Day Meal Scheme | Nutrition support for school children |
| POSHAN Abhiyaan | Reduction of malnutrition |
FAQs
Food Security means ensuring that all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food at all times.
The four pillars are availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability of food.
NFSA is a government law that provides subsidized food grains to eligible beneficiaries.
PDS distributes essential food grains to eligible households at subsidized rates.
The Global Hunger Index is an international report that measures hunger and undernutrition across countries.
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