Consider the following statements regarding Decentralized procurement and its impact on MSP-based food security:
1. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) settles the difference between the economic cost incurred by the state government under the DCP mode and the central issue price through a subsidy reimbursement mechanism.
2. The National Food Security Act, 2013, provides for a legal entitlement to 5 kilograms of food grains per person per month at subsidized prices of Rs 3, Rs 2, and Rs 1 per kg for rice, wheat, and coarse grains respectively.
3. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices recommends MSP for 23 commodities, and its recommendations are implemented by the Ministry of Finance under the 1965 Essential Commodities Act.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the DCP scheme allows states to procure, store, and distribute grains, with the Centre reimbursing the difference between the state's economic cost and the Central Issue Price. Statement 2 is correct because the NFSA 2013 mandates a legal entitlement of 5 kg of food grains per person per month at fixed prices of Rs 3/2/1 for rice, wheat, and coarse grains. Statement 3 is incorrect because while CACP recommends MSP for 23 commodities, these are implemented by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), not the Ministry of Finance, and the MSP is not governed by the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Consider the following statements regarding Role of State Food Commissions in monitoring and advisory functions:
1. State Food Commissions are authorized to initiate criminal proceedings against District Grievance Redressal Officers for failure to resolve complaints within the prescribed 30-day window.
2. State Food Commissions function under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, which provides the annual budgetary allocation for their operations.
3. The appointment of the Chairperson of the State Food Commission is finalized by the Governor of the state based on the recommendations of a search committee headed by the Chief Justice of the High Court.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
All three statements are incorrect because State Food Commissions lack the authority to initiate criminal proceedings, as their role is limited to monitoring and recommending action to the state government. These Commissions are established by State Governments under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, and function under their respective state administrative control, not the Union Ministry. Furthermore, the Chairperson is appointed by the State Government, not the Governor, and the selection process does not involve a committee headed by the Chief Justice of the High Court.
Consider the following statements regarding Nutritional fortification and bio-fortification strategies in PDS commodities:
1. Bio-fortification strategies under the National Agricultural Research System have resulted in the development of iron-rich pearl millet variety 'Dhanashakti', which is currently being promoted for PDS inclusion.
2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India established the 2016 Fortification Regulations, which authorize the state governments to determine the specific mineral concentration levels for PDS commodities.
3. The Department of Food and Public Distribution provides financial assistance to rice millers for the installation of blending infrastructure required for the production of fortified rice kernels.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as 'Dhanashakti' is India's first bio-fortified pearl millet variety developed by the ICAR-All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project. Statement 3 is correct because the Department of Food and Public Distribution provides financial assistance to rice millers for installing blending infrastructure under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the supply of Fortified Rice. Statement 2 is incorrect because the FSSAI's Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018, mandate uniform standards for fortification across the country, and state governments do not have the authority to determine these mineral concentration levels independently.
Consider the following statements regarding Role of Gram Sabhas in identification and social audit of beneficiaries:
1. The 2013 Act empowers the Gram Sabha to conduct periodic social audits of the records of the Fair Price Shops and the list of eligible households identified under the Targeted Public Distribution System.
2. Section 12 of the National Food Security Act 2013 provides for the conduct of social audits by the local governance institutions to monitor the implementation of the schemes.
3. Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in 2017 specify that social audit reports are to be placed in the public domain within 15 days of completion.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as Section 28 of the NFSA 2013 mandates Gram Sabhas to conduct periodic social audits to ensure transparency in the identification of beneficiaries and the functioning of Fair Price Shops. Statement 2 is correct because Section 12 specifically empowers local authorities, including Gram Sabhas, to monitor the implementation of schemes through social audits to ensure accountability. Statement 3 is correct as the 'Social Audit Rules, 2017' framed under the NFSA mandate that social audit reports must be placed in the public domain and uploaded on the official website within 15 days of the audit's completion.
Consider the following statements regarding Decentralized procurement and its impact on MSP-based food security:
1. The 1997 Targeted Public Distribution System reform replaced the universal system, and it introduced the Antyodaya Anna Yojana to provide 35 kg of food grains to the poorest households.
2. Under the Decentralized Procurement (DCP) scheme introduced in 1997, state governments undertake the purchase, storage, and distribution of food grains for the Targeted Public Distribution System.
3. The DCP model allows states to procure grains above the central MSP, and the surplus is transferred to the FCI buffer stock under the 2002 National Policy on Handling, Storage, and Transportation of Food Grains.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as the DCP scheme, launched in 1997, empowers states to procure, store, and distribute grains locally to reduce transportation costs and better serve regional preferences. Statement 1 is incorrect because the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in 2000, not as part of the 1997 TPDS reform. Statement 3 is incorrect because, under the DCP model, states procure grains at the Centre's fixed MSP, and they are not permitted to set prices above it; furthermore, the 2002 policy cited is unrelated to the procurement pricing mechanism.
Consider the following statements regarding Nutritional standards and calorific requirements under Schedule II of NFSA:
1. The nutritional standards for the elderly population were introduced in the 2013 Act, specifying a daily intake of 700 calories and 15 grams of protein for those above the age of 65.
2. Under the provisions of the 2013 Act, the calorific requirement for children in the 6 months to 6 years category is supplemented by an additional 200 calories if they are enrolled in Anganwadi centers located in tribal districts.
3. The nutritional norm for adolescent girls aged 11 to 18 years, as per the 2013 Act, is 600 calories and 20 grams of protein, consistent with the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Schedule II of the NFSA 2013 does not specify nutritional standards for the elderly, nor does it provide additional calorific supplements for children in tribal districts. Furthermore, the nutritional norm for adolescent girls under the Act is 600 calories and 18-20 grams of protein, but it is not linked to the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA) in the manner described, and the specific age-based standards for the elderly mentioned do not exist in the Act.
Consider the following statements regarding Entitlement-based vs. Welfare-based approach in NFSA 2013:
1. The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for a legal entitlement to food grains for up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population.
2. The NFSA 2013 shifted the paradigm from a welfare-based approach, where food was provided as a government scheme, to an entitlement-based approach, where food is a justiciable right.
3. Under Section 3 of the NFSA 2013, eligible households are entitled to receive 5 kilograms of food grains per person per month at subsidized prices of Rs 3, 2, and 1 per kg for rice, wheat, and coarse grains respectively.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the NFSA 2013 covers approximately 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population, totaling about two-thirds of India's population. Statement 2 is correct because the Act marks a paradigm shift by transforming food security from a discretionary welfare scheme into a justiciable legal right, allowing citizens to seek judicial redress for non-compliance. Statement 3 is correct as it accurately reflects the provisions of Section 3, which mandates the supply of 5 kg of food grains per person per month at the specified subsidized prices of Rs 3 for rice, Rs 2 for wheat, and Rs 1 for coarse grains.
Consider the following statements regarding Integration of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) with interstate portability:
1. The ONORC initiative allows migrant beneficiaries to lift their entitled food grains from any Fair Price Shop in the country using their existing Ration Card issued by their home state.
2. By June 2022, the ONORC system achieved nationwide coverage, encompassing all 36 States and Union Territories across India.
3. Aadhaar-based biometric authentication at the Fair Price Shop (FPS) terminal is the primary mechanism used to verify the identity of beneficiaries during portable transactions.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
All three statements are correct. The ONORC scheme, launched under the NFSA, enables nation-wide portability of food security benefits by allowing beneficiaries to access their PDS entitlements from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) using their existing ration card. By June 2022, the system successfully achieved pan-India coverage, integrating all 36 States and Union Territories into the network. Furthermore, the system relies on Aadhaar-based biometric authentication at the FPS terminal to ensure transparency and prevent leakage by verifying the identity of the beneficiary in real-time.
Consider the following statements regarding Integration of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) with interstate portability:
1. The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme was launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in August 2019 to enable portability of food security benefits.
2. The Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS) portal serves as the central repository for recording inter-state and intra-state transactions under the ONORC framework.
3. The ONORC system operates under the legal framework of the Essential Commodities Act 1955, which provides for the establishment of a National Food Grid to facilitate the automatic transfer of food grain subsidies between state treasuries.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the ONORC scheme was launched in August 2019 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to ensure seamless portability of NFSA benefits across the country. Statement 2 is correct because the IM-PDS portal acts as the centralized IT infrastructure for tracking and authenticating both inter-state and intra-state transactions. Statement 3 is incorrect because ONORC operates under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, and there is no provision for a 'National Food Grid' or automatic transfer of subsidies between state treasuries under this scheme.
Consider the following statements regarding Entitlement-based vs. Welfare-based approach in NFSA 2013:
1. The Act designates the eldest woman in the household, who is not less than 18 years of age, as the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards.
2. The grievance redressal mechanism under the NFSA 2013 involves the appointment of a District Grievance Redressal Officer, and the state governments are responsible for establishing a State Food Commission to monitor the implementation of the Act.
3. Section 12 of the NFSA 2013 encourages the progressive reforms of the Public Distribution System, including the doorstep delivery of food grains and the application of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as Section 13 of the NFSA 2013 mandates the eldest woman (aged 18+) as the head of the household for ration cards to promote women's empowerment. Statement 3 is correct because Section 12 explicitly mandates PDS reforms, including doorstep delivery and Aadhaar-based authentication to ensure transparency. Statement 2 is incorrect because, while the Act mandates a District Grievance Redressal Officer, the establishment of a State Food Commission is a mandatory requirement for state governments under Section 16, not an optional responsibility.
Consider the following statements regarding Nutritional standards and calorific requirements under Schedule II of NFSA:
1. Schedule II of the National Food Security Act 2013 specifies that the nutritional standard for children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years is 500 calories and 12-15 grams of protein.
2. For pregnant women and lactating mothers, the nutritional standard prescribed under Schedule II is 600 calories and 18-20 grams of protein.
3. The nutritional standard for children aged 6 to 14 years under the Mid-Day Meal scheme is set at 700 calories and 20 grams of protein per child per day.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Schedule II of the NFSA 2013 mandates 500 calories and 12-15g of protein for children aged 6 months to 6 years, and 600 calories and 18-20g of protein for pregnant and lactating women to ensure maternal and child health. Additionally, the Act prescribes 700 calories and 20g of protein for children aged 6 to 14 years under the Mid-Day Meal scheme, aligning with the nutritional requirements to combat malnutrition. All three statements accurately reflect these statutory nutritional standards as defined in the Act.
Consider the following statements regarding Governance of PDS supply chain under the Essential Commodities Act:
1. The PDS (Control) Order 2001 allows for the direct procurement of foodgrains by private entities from farmers, a policy shift that was formalized under the 2013 Act to reduce the fiscal burden on the central exchequer.
2. The Essential Commodities Act 1955 includes provisions for the establishment of the Food Corporation of India, which serves as the primary regulatory body for interstate grain movement since its inception in 1964.
3. The National Food Security Act 2013 encompasses the integration of the Aadhar-based biometric authentication system, which was introduced by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs during the 2011 pilot phase in Chandigarh.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the PDS (Control) Order 2001 focuses on the distribution and licensing of fair price shops, not private procurement of foodgrains. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Food Corporation of India was established under the Food Corporations Act, 1964, not the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Statement 3 is incorrect because the National Food Security Act, 2013, does not mandate Aadhaar-based authentication; rather, the integration of Aadhaar in the PDS was implemented through subsequent administrative notifications under the Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2015.
Consider the following statements regarding Inter-linkages between NFSA and the Mid-Day Meal (PM POSHAN) scheme:
1. The PM POSHAN scheme follows the funding pattern established in the 2013 Act, which allocates 75 percent of the meal cost to the Union government and 25 percent to the states for all regions.
2. The NFSA 2013 includes provisions for the inclusion of millets in the mid-day meal menu, and the Ministry of Education initiated the mandatory procurement of these grains from the Food Corporation of India starting in 2018.
3. The grievance redressal mechanism for the PM POSHAN scheme is overseen by the District Grievance Redressal Officer appointed under Section 15 of the NFSA 2013, who handles appeals regarding school meal quality.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the funding pattern for PM POSHAN is 60:40 for general states, 90:10 for NE/Himalayan states, and 100% for UTs without legislatures, not a uniform 75:25. Statement 2 is incorrect because while the government encourages millet inclusion, there is no NFSA mandate for mandatory procurement from the FCI; states procure millets locally or through decentralized channels. Statement 3 is incorrect because the grievance redressal mechanism for PM POSHAN is handled by the state-level steering-cum-monitoring committees and designated nodal officers, not the District Grievance Redressal Officer appointed under Section 15 of the NFSA, which specifically pertains to PDS-related food security entitlements.
Consider the following statements regarding Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models in warehouse infrastructure and cold chain management:
1. Under the Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (NWR) system regulated by the WDRA, farmers can secure credit against their stored produce to avoid distress sales during peak harvest seasons.
2. The Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) scheme, launched in 2008, involves the construction of storage capacity by private investors for the exclusive use of the Food Corporation of India.
3. The Mega Food Park Scheme, operationalized under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, facilitates the development of cold chain infrastructure through a cluster-based approach.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the WDRA, established under the Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007, issues NWRs that act as negotiable instruments for bank credit, preventing distress sales. Statement 2 is correct because the PEG scheme, initiated in 2008, incentivizes private investors to build godowns which are then guaranteed for hiring by the FCI for a period of 10 years to ensure centralized storage. Statement 3 is correct as the Mega Food Park Scheme uses a cluster-based 'Hub and Spoke' model to integrate cold chain infrastructure, processing facilities, and supply chain logistics under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
Consider the following statements regarding Legal enforceability of food security and grievance redressal mechanisms:
1. Under the Targeted Public Distribution System, the identification of households is based on the socio-economic and caste census data, which serves as the primary reference for coverage under the Act.
2. The NFSA 2013 includes a provision for a food security allowance to be paid by the State Government to entitled beneficiaries in cases of non-supply of foodgrains or meals.
3. The Central Government provides assistance to States under the NFSA 2013 for the expenditure incurred on intra-state transportation and handling of foodgrains and margins licensed to fair price shop dealers.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the NFSA 2013 mandates that the coverage for TPDS is determined based on the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) data. Statement 2 is correct because Section 8 of the Act explicitly mandates that if foodgrains or meals are not provided, the concerned State Government must pay a food security allowance to the entitled beneficiaries. Statement 3 is correct as the Central Government, under the NFSA, provides financial assistance to States to cover the costs of intra-state transportation, handling of foodgrains, and the margins paid to Fair Price Shop dealers to ensure the effective implementation of the Act.
Consider the following statements regarding Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in food subsidy and its feasibility:
1. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) pilot for food subsidy was implemented in the Union Territories of Chandigarh and Puducherry, as well as Dadra and Nagar Haveli, starting in September 2015.
2. Section 12 of the NFSA 2013 includes provisions for the progressive introduction of schemes such as the transfer of food security allowance to bank accounts of beneficiaries.
3. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 provides for the legal entitlement of up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the DBT pilot for food subsidy was launched in Chandigarh, Puducherry, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli in September 2015 to test cash transfers instead of physical grain distribution. Statement 2 is correct because Section 12 of the NFSA 2013 explicitly empowers the government to introduce reforms, including the direct transfer of food security allowances to bank accounts. Statement 3 is correct as the NFSA 2013 mandates coverage for up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population, ensuring a legal entitlement to subsidized food grains for approximately two-thirds of the total population.
Consider the following statements regarding Role of Gram Sabhas in identification and social audit of beneficiaries:
1. The 2017 Social Audit Rules encompass the requirement for the Gram Sabha to submit audit findings to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, which then monitors the corrective actions taken by the state government.
2. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana, launched in December 2000, provides for the Gram Sabha to act as the sole appellate body for grievances related to the exclusion of households from the food security list.
3. Under the provisions of the National Food Security Act 2013, the Gram Panchayat is responsible for ensuring the display of the list of beneficiaries at the village level for public scrutiny.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is correct as Section 12 of the NFSA 2013 mandates local authorities, including Gram Panchayats, to ensure transparency by displaying beneficiary lists for public scrutiny. Statement 1 is incorrect because the 2017 Social Audit Rules under NFSA require audit findings to be placed before the Gram Sabha and submitted to the state government, not the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Statement 2 is incorrect because the NFSA 2013 and subsequent rules designate the District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) as the primary authority for addressing grievances, not the Gram Sabha as a sole appellate body.
Consider the following statements regarding Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models in warehouse infrastructure and cold chain management:
1. The cold chain infrastructure development under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana includes provisions for integrated pack houses and individual quick freezing facilities.
2. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution utilizes the Central Sector Scheme for the construction of godowns to provide viability gap funding for private sector participation.
3. The Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) was established in 2010 to oversee the accreditation of warehouses and the implementation of electronic negotiable warehouse receipts.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana provides capital subsidies for integrated cold chain projects, including pack houses and freezing facilities to reduce post-harvest losses. Statement 2 is correct because the Ministry utilizes the Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) scheme to incentivize private players to build godowns for the Food Corporation of India, often leveraging viability gap funding principles. Statement 3 is correct as the WDRA was established under the Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007, and became operational in 2010 to regulate warehouse accreditation and manage the e-NWR system.
Consider the following statements regarding Role of State Food Commissions in monitoring and advisory functions:
1. The tenure of the Chairperson and members of the State Food Commission is fixed at five years or until they attain the age of 70, whichever is earlier, according to the 2013 legislative framework.
2. State Food Commissions are required to submit their annual reports directly to the Union Parliament, where the reports are tabled alongside the performance audit of the Food Corporation of India.
3. The National Food Security Act 2013 replaced the earlier Public Distribution System (Control) Order 2001, which originally established the State Food Commissions to oversee fair price shop operations.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because Section 16(3) of the NFSA 2013 specifies the tenure of the Chairperson and members as five years or until the age of 65, not 70. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Commission is required to submit its annual report to the State Government, which must then be laid before the State Legislature, not the Union Parliament. Statement 3 is incorrect because the NFSA 2013 did not replace the 2001 PDS (Control) Order, nor did that order establish State Food Commissions; the Commissions were newly created under Section 16 of the NFSA 2013 itself to monitor the implementation of the Act.
Consider the following statements regarding Buffer stock norms and the role of Food Corporation of India (FCI):
1. Buffer stock norms are determined by the Government of India on a quarterly basis to ensure availability of food grains for the Targeted Public Distribution System.
2. The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for a legal entitlement to 5 kilograms of food grains per person per month for priority households.
3. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana was launched in December 2000 to provide 35 kilograms of food grains per household, and it is funded through the National Social Assistance Programme budget.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the Government of India periodically revises buffer stock norms to ensure food security through the TPDS. Statement 2 is correct because the NFSA 2013 mandates a legal entitlement of 5 kg of food grains per person per month for priority households. Statement 3 is incorrect because while Antyodaya Anna Yojana provides 35 kg per household, it is funded by the central government under the food subsidy budget rather than the National Social Assistance Programme.
Consider the following statements regarding Management of food grains storage and supply chain logistics:
1. The National Food Security Mission, launched in 2007, focuses on the enhancement of storage infrastructure at the farm gate level through the provision of subsidies for the construction of cold chain facilities for perishable food items.
2. Under the NFSA 2013, the central government bears the responsibility for the transportation of food grains from the designated Food Corporation of India depots to the doorsteps of the Fair Price Shops.
3. The 'One Nation, One Ration Card' system, launched in 2019, leverages the Integrated Management of Public Distribution System portal to facilitate the inter-state portability of food security benefits for migrant beneficiaries.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), launched in 2007, focuses on increasing the production of rice, wheat, pulses, and coarse cereals through area expansion and productivity enhancement, not on cold chain infrastructure. Statement 2 is correct as the NFSA 2013 mandates that the Central Government is responsible for the allocation and transportation of food grains up to the designated depots, while the State Governments are responsible for the intra-state movement and delivery to the doorsteps of Fair Price Shops. Statement 3 is correct because the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' (ONORC) scheme, implemented via the Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS) portal, enables beneficiaries to lift their entitled food grains from any e-POS enabled Fair Price Shop across the country.
Consider the following statements regarding Role of Gram Sabhas in identification and social audit of beneficiaries:
1. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act provides for the direct election of the Vigilance Committee members, who are tasked with overseeing the distribution of food grains under the 2013 Act.
2. The Targeted Public Distribution System Control Order of 2001 includes provisions for the Gram Sabha to issue licenses to Fair Price Shop owners, subject to the approval of the District Collector.
3. The National Food Security Act 2013 refers to the Gram Sabha as the primary authority for the final determination of the poverty line, which is used to calculate the annual state-wise allocation of food grains.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
All three statements are incorrect because the NFSA 2013 and related orders do not grant these specific powers to Gram Sabhas. Statement 1 is false as the 73rd Amendment does not mandate direct elections for Vigilance Committees, which are instead constituted by the government to monitor PDS functioning. Statement 2 is incorrect because the licensing of Fair Price Shops is a state-level administrative function governed by the TPDS Control Order, not a power vested in the Gram Sabha. Statement 3 is false because the determination of the poverty line and food grain allocation is a central government responsibility based on NSSO data and Planning Commission/NITI Aayog estimates, not a decision made by the Gram Sabha.
Consider the following statements regarding Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models in warehouse infrastructure and cold chain management:
1. The 2013 National Food Security Act provides for the decentralization of procurement and storage operations to state governments to minimize transit losses in the public distribution system.
2. The Silo Project under the PPP model aims to create a capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes through the design-build-finance-operate-transfer mode for long-term food grain storage.
3. The 2013 National Food Security Act incorporates the 2005 Warehousing Development and Regulation Act as its primary legal framework for the mandatory privatization of all state-owned food grain storage facilities.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the NFSA 2013 encourages decentralized procurement to reduce transit losses and improve PDS efficiency. Statement 2 is correct because the Silo Project, initiated by the FCI, utilizes the DBFOT model to develop modern storage infrastructure with a target capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes. Statement 3 is incorrect because the NFSA does not mandate the privatization of state-owned storage facilities; the Warehousing Development and Regulation Act, 2005, primarily focuses on the regulation and registration of warehouses through a negotiable warehouse receipt system rather than privatization.
Consider the following statements regarding Management of food grains storage and supply chain logistics:
1. The Food Corporation of India utilizes the Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme, introduced in 2008, to augment storage capacity through the construction of godowns by private parties for a guaranteed hiring period.
2. The Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority, established under the 2007 Act, oversees the issuance of Negotiable Warehouse Receipts which allow farmers to pledge food grains stored in FCI godowns for bank credit.
3. The Targeted Public Distribution System currently operates on a direct benefit transfer model in all union territories, where the cash equivalent of the food subsidy is credited to the bank accounts of the head of the household.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the PEG Scheme (2008) incentivizes private sector investment in storage by guaranteeing a 10-year lease to the FCI. Statement 2 is incorrect because Negotiable Warehouse Receipts are issued only by warehouses registered with the WDRA, and these receipts cannot be issued for stocks held in FCI godowns. Statement 3 is incorrect because while DBT is implemented in Chandigarh, Puducherry, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, it is not universal across all Union Territories, as most still rely on the traditional PDS distribution of food grains.
Consider the following statements regarding Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in food subsidy and its feasibility:
1. The Cash Transfer of Food Subsidy Rules 2015, notified under Section 39 of the NFSA, allows states to bypass the PDS network and transfer the entire subsidy amount directly to the Gram Panchayat accounts.
2. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is responsible for the direct digital disbursement of food subsidies to beneficiaries, utilizing the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for real-time reconciliation.
3. The DBT in Kerosene scheme, launched in 2016, serves as the primary administrative template for the national rollout of food subsidy transfers across all states under the NFSA 2013 framework.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Cash Transfer of Food Subsidy Rules, 2015, allows for the transfer of subsidy directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries, not Gram Panchayat accounts. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Department of Food and Public Distribution handles the policy, while the disbursement is managed through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) portal and Aadhaar-enabled systems, not by the FCI via PFMS. Statement 3 is incorrect because while the DBT in Kerosene scheme was a pilot project, it has not been adopted as the mandatory national template for food subsidy, as the NFSA primarily relies on the physical distribution of food grains through the PDS network.
Consider the following statements regarding Legal enforceability of food security and grievance redressal mechanisms:
1. The National Food Security Act, 2013, provides a legal entitlement to 5 kilograms of foodgrains per person per month to priority households at subsidized prices.
2. The State Food Commission, as per Section 16 of the NFSA 2013, consists of a Chairperson, five other members, and a Member-Secretary, including at least two women.
3. Section 14 of the NFSA 2013 provides for the establishment of a District Grievance Redressal Officer in each district to address complaints regarding the non-distribution of entitled foodgrains.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the NFSA 2013 mandates 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month for priority households at subsidized rates of Rs 3/2/1 per kg for rice, wheat, and coarse grains respectively. Statement 2 is correct because Section 16 explicitly stipulates that the State Food Commission must comprise a Chairperson, five members, and a Member-Secretary, with a mandatory inclusion of at least two women and one person with a disability or from the SC/ST category. Statement 3 is correct as Section 14 mandates the State Government to designate a District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) in every district to ensure the effective implementation of the Act and provide a mechanism for citizens to register complaints regarding foodgrain distribution.
Consider the following statements regarding Nutritional fortification and bio-fortification strategies in PDS commodities:
1. The 2013 National Food Security Act includes provisions for the compulsory inclusion of bio-fortified wheat varieties in the PDS, following the 2018 recommendations of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee.
2. Under the National Food Security Act 2013, the nutritional standards for fortified rice include the addition of iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 as per FSSAI guidelines.
3. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution initiated the nationwide rollout of fortified rice distribution through the Public Distribution System in April 2022.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the NFSA 2013 does not mandate bio-fortified wheat, and no such M.S. Swaminathan Committee recommendation exists for compulsory PDS inclusion. Statement 2 is correct as FSSAI standards for fortified rice specifically mandate the inclusion of iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 to combat anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. Statement 3 is correct because the Union Cabinet approved the nationwide phased implementation of rice fortification in April 2022 to ensure nutritional security through the PDS.
Consider the following statements regarding Financial implications of food subsidy and the National Food Security Fund:
1. Under the NFSA 2013, the central government bears the responsibility for the procurement, storage, and transportation of foodgrains to designated depots in each state.
2. The Food Corporation of India maintains the buffer stock norms, which are reviewed periodically by the government to ensure availability during periods of production shortfall.
3. Section 12 of the NFSA 2013 includes provisions for the reform of the Targeted Public Distribution System, such as the doorstep delivery of foodgrains to the ration shops.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the NFSA 2013 mandates the Centre to handle procurement, storage, and transport to designated depots, while states manage last-mile delivery. Statement 2 is correct because the FCI, under government directives, maintains buffer stocks to ensure food security, with norms periodically revised by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. Statement 3 is correct as Section 12 explicitly mandates TPDS reforms, including doorstep delivery of foodgrains to PDS outlets and the use of Aadhaar-based authentication to plug leakages.
Consider the following statements regarding Operational challenges in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) digitization:
1. The digitisation of ration cards, completed by 2017, resulted in the removal of 50 million duplicate entries, which led to a permanent reduction in the national food subsidy budget by 20 percent.
2. The 2015 Shanta Kumar Committee report suggested the decentralization of procurement operations and recommended that the Food Corporation of India handle only the distribution of foodgrains in deficit states.
3. State Food Commissions, established under Section 16 of the NFSA 2013, possess the authority to conduct independent audits of the Public Distribution System and issue binding judicial orders to state transport departments.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because while digitisation led to the removal of millions of fake/duplicate ration cards, it did not result in a permanent 20 percent reduction in the national food subsidy budget. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Shanta Kumar Committee recommended that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) should outsource the procurement operations to state governments in surplus states, rather than limiting its role to distribution in deficit states. Statement 3 is incorrect because while State Food Commissions monitor the implementation of the NFSA, they do not possess the authority to issue binding judicial orders to state transport departments, as their powers are primarily advisory and oversight-oriented.
Consider the following statements regarding Financial implications of food subsidy and the National Food Security Fund:
1. The National Food Security Act 2013 provides for a legal entitlement to 5 kilograms of foodgrains per person per month for priority households.
2. The 2013 Act integrates the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, which was launched in 2000, and provides for a uniform issue price of three rupees per kilogram for all foodgrains across India.
3. The National Food Security Fund was established under Section 22 of the Act to provide direct cash transfers to farmers for the procurement of wheat and rice.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the NFSA 2013 mandates 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month for priority households. Statement 2 is incorrect because while the Act integrates Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the issue prices are differentiated as Rs 3/kg for rice, Rs 2/kg for wheat, and Rs 1/kg for coarse grains, rather than a uniform Rs 3 for all. Statement 3 is incorrect because the National Food Security Fund, envisioned under Section 22, was intended to assist states in meeting expenditure on intra-state transportation and handling of foodgrains and margins for fair price shop dealers, not for direct cash transfers to farmers.
Consider the following statements regarding Operational challenges in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) digitization:
1. The End-to-End Computerization of TPDS scheme, launched in 2012, involves the digitization of beneficiary databases and the automation of supply chain management across all states.
2. The Fair Price Shop Automation scheme, initiated under the 2014 guidelines, involves the installation of biometric Point of Sale devices that link directly to the Aadhaar database maintained by the Ministry of Finance.
3. The 2013 Act introduced the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism for foodgrains in all districts, which replaced the physical distribution of wheat and rice in urban areas by 2015.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the End-to-End Computerization scheme, launched in 2012, aimed to digitize beneficiary databases and automate supply chain management to enhance transparency. Statement 2 is incorrect because Point of Sale (PoS) devices are linked to the Aadhaar database maintained by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, not the Ministry of Finance. Statement 3 is incorrect because the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, mandates the physical distribution of foodgrains, while DBT for foodgrains is an optional, state-specific alternative implemented only in select pilot regions rather than a mandatory replacement for physical distribution in all urban areas.
Consider the following statements regarding Inter-linkages between NFSA and the Mid-Day Meal (PM POSHAN) scheme:
1. The 2021 renaming of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to PM POSHAN expanded the coverage to include students studying in pre-primary classes or Bal Vatika in government and government-aided primary schools.
2. The NFSA 2013 provides for a food security allowance to be paid by the state government to the entitled beneficiaries in case of non-supply of the entitled meal or food grains.
3. The nutritional standards for the mid-day meal are defined in Schedule II of the NFSA 2013, which specifies 450 calories and 12 grams of protein for children in primary classes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
All three statements are correct. Statement 1 is accurate as the PM POSHAN scheme, launched in 2021, extended coverage to pre-primary students (Bal Vatika) to align with the National Education Policy 2020. Statement 2 is correct under Section 8 of the NFSA 2013, which mandates that states provide a food security allowance if entitled meals or grains are not supplied. Statement 3 is correct because Schedule II of the NFSA 2013 explicitly prescribes the nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 grams of protein for children in primary classes (I-V).
Consider the following statements regarding Decentralized procurement and its impact on MSP-based food security:
1. The 2013 Act encompasses provisions for the inclusion of millets in the central pool, and the government raised the MSP for Ragi to Rs 3,846 per quintal during the 2023-24 marketing season.
2. The National Food Security Act includes a provision for the creation of a State Food Commission to monitor implementation, and the first such commission was established in Bihar in 2014.
3. Decentralized procurement operations are governed by the 1964 Food Corporations Act, which established the Price Support Scheme to facilitate the direct transfer of funds to farmers' bank accounts.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the NFSA 2013 focuses on coarse grains (millets) as part of the PDS, but the MSP for Ragi in 2023-24 was fixed at Rs 3,846 per quintal, which is factually correct, yet the statement implies a direct legislative inclusion of millets in the central pool by the 2013 Act, which is inaccurate. Statement 2 is incorrect because while the NFSA mandates State Food Commissions, the first was established in Haryana in 2014, not Bihar. Statement 3 is incorrect because decentralized procurement is a policy framework under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, not governed by the 1964 Food Corporations Act, and the Price Support Scheme is a distinct intervention separate from the core decentralized procurement operations.
Consider the following statements regarding Role of Aadhaar-based Biometric Authentication in PDS leakages:
1. The 'One Nation One Ration Card' initiative, launched in August 2019, utilizes Aadhaar authentication to enable migrant beneficiaries to access their food entitlements from any Fair Price Shop in the country.
2. The Supreme Court in the K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India (2018) judgment clarified that the use of Aadhaar for welfare benefits under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act is permissible as it serves a legitimate state interest.
3. As of 2022, the Department of Food and Public Distribution reported that the digitisation of ration cards has covered approximately 99.8 percent of the total 19.4 crore ration cards across the country.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the ONORC scheme, launched in August 2019, leverages Aadhaar-based biometric authentication to ensure portability of PDS benefits for migrant workers nationwide. Statement 2 is correct because the Supreme Court's 2018 Puttaswamy judgment upheld the constitutionality of Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, ruling that mandating Aadhaar for welfare subsidies is a legitimate state interest to prevent leakages. Statement 3 is correct as official data from the Department of Food and Public Distribution confirmed that by 2022, nearly 99.8% of the 19.4 crore ration cards had been digitized, significantly enhancing transparency and reducing ghost beneficiaries in the PDS system.
Consider the following statements regarding Role of State Food Commissions in monitoring and advisory functions:
1. Section 16 of the National Food Security Act 2013 provides for the constitution of a State Food Commission in every state to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Act.
2. The State Food Commission is empowered under the National Food Security Act 2013 to inquire into violations of entitlements, either suo motu or on receipt of a complaint.
3. The State Food Commission consists of a Chairperson, five other members, and a Member-Secretary, with at least two women and one person belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes as per the 2013 Act.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 and 2 are correct as Section 16 of the NFSA 2013 mandates the establishment of State Food Commissions to monitor, evaluate, and inquire into violations of food entitlements, either suo motu or via complaints. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the Commission does include a Chairperson, five members, and a Member-Secretary, the Act mandates the inclusion of at least two women and one person each from SC and ST categories, not a combined SC/ST quota.
Consider the following statements regarding Women empowerment through the eldest woman as head of household in ration cards:
1. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution implemented the digitisation of ration cards in 2015, which allows the eldest woman head of the household to transfer her food entitlement to any other family member through the PDS portal.
2. Under Section 13 of the National Food Security Act 2013, the eldest woman of the household, aged 18 years or above, is designated as the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards.
3. The National Food Security Act 2013 was notified on 10 September 2013, and it provides for the eldest woman head of the household to be the sole signatory for all financial transactions related to the Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct because Section 13 of the NFSA 2013 explicitly mandates that the eldest woman of the household, aged 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards. Statement 1 is incorrect as the NFSA does not provide for the transfer of food entitlements to other family members via a PDS portal, and the digitisation process is primarily for transparency and de-duplication. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the Act was notified on 10 September 2013, it does not designate the eldest woman as the sole signatory for financial transactions under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana; her role is specifically limited to being the head of the household for the issuance of the ration card.
Consider the following statements regarding Impact of NFSA on agricultural cropping patterns and MSP dependency:
1. The 2013 Act includes provisions for the nutritional support of pregnant women, and it introduced the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to incentivize farmers to shift from paddy to oilseed cultivation.
2. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 provides for the coverage of up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains.
3. The NFSA framework encompasses the decentralization of procurement operations, and the 2014 Shanta Kumar Committee report suggested increasing the MSP for coarse grains to reduce the fiscal burden on the Food Corporation of India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as the NFSA 2013 legally entitles up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized foodgrains. Statement 1 is incorrect because the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was launched in 2016, not as part of the 2013 Act, and it is a crop insurance scheme rather than a cropping pattern incentive. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Shanta Kumar Committee (2015) actually recommended reducing the number of beneficiaries covered under NFSA and rationalizing procurement to reduce the fiscal burden, rather than increasing MSP for coarse grains.
Consider the following statements regarding Buffer stock norms and the role of Food Corporation of India (FCI):
1. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices recommends the Minimum Support Price for 23 commodities, and these prices are linked to the international parity price index for global trade compliance.
2. The Open Market Sale Scheme allows the Food Corporation of India to sell surplus wheat and rice in the domestic market, with the reserve price determined by the World Trade Organization guidelines.
3. The Food Corporation of India was established under the Food Corporations Act of 1964 to implement the price support operations for food grains.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is correct as the Food Corporation of India (FCI) was established under the Food Corporations Act, 1964, to ensure food security through price support and distribution. Statement 1 is incorrect because while CACP recommends MSP for 23 commodities, these are based on factors like production costs and demand-supply, not international parity prices. Statement 2 is incorrect because the reserve price for the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) is determined by the Government of India to stabilize domestic prices, not by WTO guidelines.
Consider the following statements regarding Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in food subsidy and its feasibility:
1. The 2013 Act provides for the creation of a National Food Security Fund, which manages the transition from physical grain distribution to direct cash transfers in all identified APL and BPL households.
2. The Public Distribution System (Control) Order 2001 was amended in 2015 to facilitate the use of Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication for the distribution of food grains.
3. Under the NFSA 2013, the central government provides food grains at prices of Rs 3, Rs 2, and Rs 1 per kg for rice, wheat, and coarse grains respectively.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the NFSA 2013 does not mandate a National Food Security Fund for universal cash transfers; instead, it provides for food security allowance in case of non-supply of grains. Statement 2 is correct as the PDS (Control) Order 2001 was amended in 2015 to introduce Aadhaar-based biometric authentication to plug leakages. Statement 3 is correct because the Act legally entitles priority households to receive rice, wheat, and coarse grains at subsidized rates of Rs 3, Rs 2, and Rs 1 per kg, respectively.
Consider the following statements regarding Impact of NFSA on agricultural cropping patterns and MSP dependency:
1. Public Distribution System reforms under the NFSA allow for the use of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, and the 2016 NITI Aayog report recommended that states procure pulses at MSP to diversify cropping patterns.
2. Under the NFSA 2013, the central issue price for rice is fixed at Rs 3 per kg, wheat at Rs 2 per kg, and coarse grains at Rs 1 per kg.
3. The National Food Security Act provides for the implementation of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, which was launched in 2000 to provide food security to the poorest households and is currently funded through the National Rural Employment Guarantee Fund.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as the NFSA 2013 mandates subsidized prices of Rs 3, Rs 2, and Rs 1 per kg for rice, wheat, and coarse grains, respectively. Statement 1 is incorrect because, while Aadhaar authentication is used, the NITI Aayog's recommendation to include pulses in the PDS was aimed at nutritional security rather than being a core provision of the NFSA itself. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Antyodaya Anna Yojana is funded through the Food Subsidy budget under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, not the National Rural Employment Guarantee Fund (MGNREGA).
Consider the following statements regarding Inter-linkages between NFSA and the Mid-Day Meal (PM POSHAN) scheme:
1. Under the NFSA 2013, children up to class VIII or within the age group of six to fourteen years are entitled to one mid-day meal, free of charge, on every day except on school holidays.
2. The PM POSHAN scheme, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, serves as the operational vehicle for fulfilling the nutritional support obligations specified under Section 5 of the NFSA 2013.
3. Section 4 of the National Food Security Act 2013 provides for the entitlement of nutritional support to children in the age group of six months to six years through the local anganwadi.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
All three statements are correct as they accurately reflect the legal provisions of the NFSA 2013. Statement 1 aligns with Section 5, which mandates free mid-day meals for children aged 6-14 years in government and government-aided schools. Statement 2 is accurate because the PM POSHAN scheme serves as the primary implementation mechanism for the nutritional obligations mandated by Section 5 of the Act. Statement 3 is correct because Section 4 of the NFSA specifically guarantees nutritional support to children aged 6 months to 6 years through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and local Anganwadis.
Consider the following statements regarding Integration of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) with interstate portability:
1. The Annavitran portal provides a dashboard for monitoring the distribution of food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to beneficiaries who access services outside their home districts.
2. The implementation of the ONORC system relies on the digitization of beneficiary data and the seeding of Aadhaar numbers with ration cards in the Annavitran database.
3. Under the ONORC guidelines, beneficiaries are entitled to receive their monthly food grain quota at NFSA prices, which are set at 3 rupees per kg for rice and 2 rupees per kg for wheat.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the Annavitran portal enables real-time monitoring of intra-state and inter-state portability transactions under the NFSA. Statement 2 is correct because the ONORC system is built upon the technological backbone of the Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS), which mandates Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and digitized ration card data. Statement 3 is correct because the NFSA, 2013, legally mandates subsidized prices of Rs 3/kg for rice, Rs 2/kg for wheat, and Rs 1/kg for coarse grains, which remain applicable even when a beneficiary exercises portability under ONORC.
Consider the following statements regarding Women empowerment through the eldest woman as head of household in ration cards:
1. As per the operational guidelines of the Targeted Public Distribution System, the eldest woman head of the household is the primary recipient for the receipt of food grains at the Fair Price Shop.
2. In cases where a household does not have a woman aged 18 years or above, the eldest male member of the household is recognized as the head for the issuance of the ration card.
3. The provision regarding the eldest woman as the head of the household was introduced to promote gender equality and ensure that food security benefits reach the primary caregiver in the family unit.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Under Section 13 of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, the eldest woman (18 years or above) is mandated as the head of the household for the issuance of ration cards to ensure gender-sensitive governance. Statement 2 is correct as the Act explicitly provides that if no woman aged 18 or above is present, the eldest male member shall be the head for the purpose of the ration card. Statement 3 is correct because this provision is a deliberate policy intervention designed to empower women within the domestic sphere and prioritize the primary caregiver in the distribution of food security benefits.
Consider the following statements regarding Criteria for identification of priority households under Antyodaya Anna Yojana:
1. Identification of Antyodaya households involves the Gram Sabha process, which follows the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Rural Development under the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census for urban poverty alleviation.
2. The 2013 National Food Security Act integrates the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, which provides 35 kilograms of food grains per household per month to families identified by the Ministry of Finance using the 2001 Census data.
3. Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana framework, the central government allocates food grains at a subsidized price of rupees three per kilogram for rice and rupees two per kilogram for wheat to the state governments.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because identification is based on state-specific criteria and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, not the Ministry of Rural Development. Statement 2 is incorrect because AAY households are identified by State Governments based on criteria like landless laborers and destitute persons, not by the Ministry of Finance using 2001 Census data. Statement 3 is incorrect because, under the NFSA, the subsidized prices for AAY households are fixed at Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 per kg for wheat, and Rs 1 per kg for coarse grains, but these are issued to beneficiaries, not merely to state governments as a general allocation.
Consider the following statements regarding Criteria for identification of priority households under Antyodaya Anna Yojana:
1. The identification criteria for Antyodaya beneficiaries include households headed by widows or terminally ill persons, a provision introduced during the 2003 expansion of the scheme to include urban homeless populations.
2. States utilize the list of households identified under the 1997 Targeted Public Distribution System to determine Antyodaya eligibility, ensuring that the total number of beneficiaries does not exceed the 2005 poverty estimates.
3. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana provides for the inclusion of households headed by persons aged 60 years or more with no assured means of subsistence, as per the guidelines established by the Planning Commission in 2002.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the inclusion of urban homeless and specific vulnerable groups occurred in 2003, but the criteria for AAY are based on the poorest of the poor identified by states, not specifically tied to the urban homeless definition. Statement 2 is incorrect as AAY eligibility is determined by states based on the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) data under NFSA 2013, not the 1997 TPDS list or 2005 poverty estimates. Statement 3 is incorrect because while the elderly are a priority, the specific 2002 Planning Commission guidelines were superseded by the criteria defined under the NFSA 2013, which mandates the identification of the poorest households based on state-specific lists derived from central government guidelines.
Consider the following statements regarding Entitlement-based vs. Welfare-based approach in NFSA 2013:
1. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana, which was launched in December 2000, provides for 35 kilograms of food grains per household per month and was integrated into the NFSA 2013 as a component of the Targeted Public Distribution System.
2. The NFSA 2013 replaced the erstwhile BPL and APL categorization of households with a single priority category, and the identification of these households is determined by the Socio-Economic Caste Census of 2011.
3. Schedule II of the NFSA 2013 specifies the nutritional standards for meals provided to children under the Mid-Day Meal scheme, including 450 calories and 12 grams of protein for primary classes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is correct as Schedule II of the NFSA 2013 mandates 450 calories and 12 grams of protein for primary school children. Statement 1 is incorrect because while AAY was integrated into NFSA, it was launched in December 2000 but the entitlement is 35 kg per household, not 35 kg per person. Statement 2 is incorrect because the NFSA did not replace BPL/APL with a single category; it established two distinct categories: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH), and the identification criteria are determined by State Governments based on guidelines, not solely the SECC 2011.
Consider the following statements regarding Nutritional fortification and bio-fortification strategies in PDS commodities:
1. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research launched the National Bio-fortification Project in 2005, which provides the legal framework for the mandatory procurement of zinc-enriched pulses by the Food Corporation of India.
2. The 2021 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approval for rice fortification encompasses the distribution of fortified grains to all ICDS centers and schools under the 1995 Mid-Day Meal Rules.
3. The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman scheme incorporates the distribution of fortified oil and salt, which were identified as priority commodities in the 2011 NFSA draft framework.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because there is no such 'National Bio-fortification Project' launched in 2005 with a legal mandate for FCI to procure zinc-enriched pulses. Statement 2 is incorrect because the 2021 Cabinet approval specifically focused on the phased implementation of rice fortification through the PDS and PM POSHAN, but it does not mandate the distribution of fortified grains to 'all' ICDS centers and schools under the 1995 Mid-Day Meal Rules as a blanket rule. Statement 3 is incorrect because the NFSA was enacted in 2013, not 2011, and the PM POSHAN scheme primarily focuses on rice fortification rather than a mandatory distribution of fortified oil and salt as defined by the NFSA framework.
Consider the following statements regarding Role of Aadhaar-based Biometric Authentication in PDS leakages:
1. Section 12 of the National Food Security Act 2013 encourages the introduction of schemes such as the doorstep delivery of foodgrains to improve the transparency of the Public Distribution System.
2. The Targeted Public Distribution System was restructured under the 2013 Act to include the Direct Benefit Transfer of food subsidies, which became the primary method for grain distribution in all Union Territories by 2015.
3. The Aadhaar-based Biometric Authentication system was introduced in the Public Distribution System to reduce the diversion of foodgrains by verifying the identity of beneficiaries at the point of sale.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as Section 12 of the NFSA 2013 explicitly mandates reforms like doorstep delivery and automation of supply chains to enhance PDS transparency. Statement 3 is correct because Aadhaar-based Biometric Authentication (ABBA) was implemented at Point of Sale (PoS) devices to eliminate 'ghost' beneficiaries and prevent the diversion of foodgrains. Statement 2 is incorrect because, while the NFSA enables Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) as an alternative, it is not the primary method for grain distribution nationwide, and it was not mandated as the primary method for all Union Territories by 2015.
Consider the following statements regarding Women empowerment through the eldest woman as head of household in ration cards:
1. The Public Distribution System Control Order 2001, which preceded the 2013 Act, includes provisions for the eldest woman of the household to be the head, and it links this status to the direct benefit transfer of LPG subsidies.
2. Under the provisions of the National Food Security Act 2013, the eldest woman head of the household is responsible for the quality testing of food grains at the district level, and she receives a monthly honorarium for this oversight role.
3. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act provides for the reservation of seats for women in local governance, and this legal framework serves as the primary basis for the eldest woman head of the household clause in the 2013 Food Security Act.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because while the NFSA 2013 mandates the eldest woman (18 years or older) as the head of the household for ration cards, it does not link this to LPG subsidy transfers. Statement 2 is incorrect as the NFSA does not assign food quality testing responsibilities or monthly honorariums to the eldest woman head of the household. Statement 3 is incorrect because the eldest woman clause in the NFSA is a standalone gender-empowerment provision under the Act, not a derivative of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which pertains specifically to Panchayati Raj institutions.
Consider the following statements regarding Nutritional standards and calorific requirements under Schedule II of NFSA:
1. The nutritional standards for children aged 6 to 14 years were revised in 2018 to include a mandatory inclusion of millets, providing 700 calories and 25 grams of protein.
2. Schedule II of the Act aligns with the 2010 Supreme Court guidelines on the Right to Food, setting the calorific requirement for destitute persons at 500 calories per day.
3. The Act provides that the nutritional standards for children suffering from malnutrition are fixed at 800 calories and 20-25 grams of protein.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is correct as Schedule II of the NFSA 2013 mandates 800 calories and 20-25 grams of protein for children suffering from malnutrition. Statement 1 is incorrect because the Act does not mandate millets for children aged 6-14 years, and the prescribed standards remain 450 calories and 12 grams of protein for primary school children. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Act does not specify a 500-calorie requirement for destitute persons; instead, it focuses on nutritional support for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children.
Consider the following statements regarding Governance of PDS supply chain under the Essential Commodities Act:
1. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Control Order 2001 specifies that the responsibility for the distribution of foodgrains to the end consumers rests with the state governments.
2. The Buffer Norms for foodgrains are determined by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, which updates the storage requirements every three years to align with the recommendations of the Shanta Kumar Committee report of 2015.
3. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana, launched in December 2000, provides 35 kilograms of foodgrains per month to the poorest of the poor households identified under the TPDS framework.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the TPDS Control Order 2001 mandates that State Governments are responsible for the identification of eligible families and the distribution of foodgrains through Fair Price Shops. Statement 3 is correct because the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in December 2000 to provide 35 kg of foodgrains per month to the poorest of the poor households. Statement 2 is incorrect because while the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves buffer norms, they are not updated every three years based on the Shanta Kumar Committee; instead, the government periodically revises these norms based on operational requirements and stock positions.
Consider the following statements regarding Role of Aadhaar-based Biometric Authentication in PDS leakages:
1. The National Food Security Act 2013 includes provisions for the establishment of State Food Commissions, which serve as the final appellate authority for grievances related to biometric authentication failures in the PDS.
2. Data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs indicates that the implementation of e-PoS devices in Fair Price Shops has facilitated the removal of over 4.7 crore duplicate or ineligible ration cards since 2013.
3. The Aadhaar Act 2016 provides for the establishment of the Unique Identification Authority of India, which operates under the Ministry of Finance to oversee the authentication logs for food security transactions.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has confirmed the deletion of over 4.7 crore fake or duplicate ration cards through the digitization of beneficiary databases and e-PoS implementation. Statement 1 is incorrect because the State Food Commissions are mandated to monitor the implementation of the NFSA but are not the final appellate authority for technical biometric failures, which are typically addressed through grievance redressal mechanisms like toll-free helplines and district-level officers. Statement 3 is incorrect because the UIDAI operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), not the Ministry of Finance.
Consider the following statements regarding Impact of NFSA on agricultural cropping patterns and MSP dependency:
1. The NFSA 2013 refers to the legal entitlement of beneficiaries to receive foodgrains, and the 2015 recommendations by the High Level Committee on PDS suggested that the MSP for wheat be linked to the international market price to stabilize domestic supply.
2. Provisions within the NFSA allow for the inclusion of millets in the public distribution basket, and the 2018 National Policy on Agriculture encouraged the expansion of the MSP regime to include horticultural crops to improve farmer income.
3. Data from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) indicates that the procurement of wheat and rice under NFSA has contributed to a higher concentration of these crops in the cropping patterns of Punjab and Haryana.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is correct as the CACP data confirms that the assured procurement of wheat and rice under NFSA has incentivized farmers in Punjab and Haryana to focus on these water-intensive crops, leading to regional cropping imbalances. Statement 1 is incorrect because the Shanta Kumar Committee (2015) recommended rationalizing MSP and procurement, but it did not suggest linking wheat MSP to international prices, which would expose domestic farmers to extreme global volatility. Statement 2 is incorrect because while millets are included in the NFSA, there is no '2018 National Policy on Agriculture' that mandates the expansion of the MSP regime to include horticultural crops; MSP is primarily focused on cereals, pulses, and oilseeds.
Consider the following statements regarding Criteria for identification of priority households under Antyodaya Anna Yojana:
1. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana, launched in December 2000, covers the poorest of the poor households identified by the states based on the criteria of landless agricultural laborers, marginal farmers, and rural artisans.
2. Food grain distribution under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana is managed by the Food Corporation of India, which coordinates with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to verify the income certificates of households earning below rupees 15,000 annually.
3. The scheme allows for the inclusion of primitive tribal households, a category defined by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which were added to the Antyodaya beneficiary list following the 2004 Supreme Court directive on food security.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as AAY was launched in December 2000 to target the poorest of the poor, including landless agricultural laborers, marginal farmers, and rural artisans. Statement 2 is incorrect because the identification of beneficiaries is based on state-specific criteria rather than a central income certificate threshold of Rs 15,000. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while primitive tribal groups are prioritized, they were included through specific government expansions rather than a 2004 Supreme Court directive specifically mandating their inclusion under AAY.
Consider the following statements regarding Management of food grains storage and supply chain logistics:
1. The Gram Panchayat is empowered under the 2013 Act to conduct social audits of the Fair Price Shops and has the legal authority to cancel the licenses of dealers found in violation of storage protocols.
2. The Buffer Norms for food grains, revised by the Department of Food and Public Distribution in 2015, include the requirement for maintaining a strategic reserve of pulses to stabilize retail prices in the open market.
3. The National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for the decentralization of procurement operations, allowing state governments to procure, store, and distribute food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is correct because the NFSA 2013 encourages Decentralized Procurement (DCP) schemes, empowering states to procure and distribute food grains to reduce transportation costs and improve local availability. Statement 1 is incorrect because, while the NFSA mandates social audits by local bodies, the power to cancel licenses rests with the designated state government authority, not the Gram Panchayat itself. Statement 2 is incorrect because the buffer norms for food grains managed by the Department of Food and Public Distribution specifically pertain to wheat and rice, whereas the strategic reserve of pulses is maintained by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Price Stabilization Fund.
Consider the following statements regarding Financial implications of food subsidy and the National Food Security Fund:
1. The state governments are responsible for the identification of households under the NFSA 2013, and the Act provides for a fixed central assistance of five hundred rupees per household for administrative expenses.
2. The implementation of the NFSA 2013 is monitored by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, which provides for the quarterly adjustment of issue prices based on the global food price index.
3. The Ministry of Finance allocates the food subsidy budget annually, and the Food Corporation of India is permitted to utilize the National Food Security Fund for infrastructure development in rural warehouses.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because while states identify households, the Act provides for 'handling and transportation' assistance and 'dealers' margin' to states, not a fixed five-hundred-rupee administrative grant. Statement 2 is incorrect as the NFSA is monitored by State Food Commissions and grievance redressal mechanisms, while issue prices are fixed by the Central Government under the Act, not adjusted by the CACP based on global indices. Statement 3 is incorrect because the National Food Security Fund is not a statutory provision under the NFSA 2013 for infrastructure development, and food subsidies are managed by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, not directly through such a fund.
Consider the following statements regarding Governance of PDS supply chain under the Essential Commodities Act:
1. The National Food Security Act 2013 provides for the coverage of up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains.
2. Under the Essential Commodities Act 1955, the central government maintains the authority to regulate the production, supply, and distribution of essential commodities to ensure their availability at fair prices.
3. The Price Support Scheme, managed by the Department of Agriculture, functions under the Essential Commodities Act to fix the Minimum Support Price for 22 crops before the commencement of the sowing season.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as NFSA 2013 legally entitles up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System. Statement 2 is correct because the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 empowers the Central Government to control the production, supply, and distribution of essential goods to maintain fair pricing and availability. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, not the Department of Agriculture under the Essential Commodities Act.
Consider the following statements regarding Buffer stock norms and the role of Food Corporation of India (FCI):
1. The decentralised procurement scheme allows state governments to procure, store, and distribute food grains within their own state boundaries under the central pool framework.
2. The economic cost of food grains procured by the Food Corporation of India includes the Minimum Support Price paid to farmers and the procurement incidental charges.
3. The buffer stock norms for the first quarter of the financial year include a strategic reserve of 3 million tonnes, which is maintained by the Ministry of Finance to manage fiscal deficit fluctuations.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the Decentralized Procurement (DCP) scheme empowers states to procure and distribute food grains locally to reduce transportation costs and improve regional food security. Statement 2 is correct because the economic cost includes the MSP paid to farmers, procurement incidentals (taxes, labor, transport), and distribution costs incurred by the FCI. Statement 3 is incorrect because the strategic reserve of 3 million tonnes of wheat and 2 million tonnes of rice is maintained by the FCI under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, not the Ministry of Finance, to ensure food security during emergencies rather than fiscal management.
Consider the following statements regarding Legal enforceability of food security and grievance redressal mechanisms:
1. The Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001, provides for the monitoring of fair price shops through vigilance committees and grants the Union Ministry of Finance the power to audit state-level procurement data.
2. The NFSA 2013 provides for the social audit of the functioning of fair price shops, and the responsibility for conducting these audits rests with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India at the panchayat level.
3. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana, launched in December 2000, provides 35 kilograms of foodgrains per household per month and functions under the direct supervision of the National Human Rights Commission.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the PDS (Control) Order, 2001, empowers State Governments to constitute vigilance committees, not the Union Ministry of Finance to audit procurement data. Statement 2 is incorrect as the NFSA 2013 mandates social audits to be conducted by the local bodies (Gram Panchayats/Municipalities), not the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Statement 3 is incorrect because while AAY provides 35 kg of foodgrains, it is administered by the Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, not the National Human Rights Commission.
Consider the following statements regarding Operational challenges in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) digitization:
1. As of 2023, the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) initiative enables portability of food security benefits across 36 states and union territories, covering over 800 million beneficiaries.
2. Under the NFSA 2013, the grievance redressal mechanism includes the appointment of a District Grievance Redressal Officer in every block, who reports directly to the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
3. Section 12 of the National Food Security Act 2013 provides for the doorstep delivery of foodgrains to the Targeted Public Distribution System outlets as part of the reforms in the delivery system.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the ONORC initiative has achieved national portability across all 36 States/UTs, benefiting over 800 million NFSA beneficiaries. Statement 3 is correct because Section 12 of the NFSA 2013 mandates reforms including the doorstep delivery of foodgrains to TPDS outlets to improve supply chain efficiency. Statement 2 is incorrect because the NFSA mandates the appointment of a District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO) at the district level, not the block level, and they report to the State Government, not the Union Ministry.