How India tries to guarantee food access to its population, and why malnutrition remains a challenge despite decades of policy effort.
The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 gives roughly two-thirds of India's population a legal entitlement to subsidised foodgrain through the Public Distribution System (PDS), delivered via Fair Price Shops. One Nation One Ration Card now lets beneficiaries access their entitlement from any Fair Price Shop nationwide, aiding migrant workers particularly.
India faces a 'triple burden' of malnutrition: undernutrition (stunting, wasting — tracked via NFHS surveys), micronutrient deficiencies ("hidden hunger" — iron, vitamin A, iodine deficiency), and rising obesity/overnutrition in urban and wealthier populations. Programs like POSHAN Abhiyaan (now Saksham Anganwadi & POSHAN 2.0) target the first 1,000 days of a child's life as the critical window for reducing stunting.
APPSC tests NFSA's coverage percentage, PDS mechanics, and the distinction between stunting/wasting/underweight as malnutrition indicators — this connects to the Poverty, Inequality & Demographic Metrics page already on this site.
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