UPSC Prelims Questions on Food Security & India’s Role in Global Hunger Reduction
1. The "One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)" scheme aims to:
A) Provide free ration to all citizens
B) Allow portability of food subsidies across India
C) Replace PDS with direct cash transfers
D) Distribute only fortified grains
Answer: B
Explanation: ONORC enables beneficiaries to access subsidized food grains from any Fair Price Shop in India, especially helping migrant workers.
2. Which of the following reports tracks global hunger and malnutrition?
A) Global Hunger Index (GHI)
B) State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI)
C) World Development Report
D) Both A and B
Answer: D
Explanation: Both GHI (by Welthungerhilfe & Concern Worldwide) and SOFI (by FAO, IFAD, WHO, WFP, UNICEF) track hunger trends.
3. The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, covers what percentage of India’s rural population?
A) 50%
B) 75%
C) 60%
D) 100%
Answer: B
Explanation: NFSA covers 75% rural and 50% urban populations under subsidized food grains.
4. Which technology has been used to reduce leakages in PDS?
Aadhaar biometric authentication
Electronic Point of Sale (e-PoS) devices
Blockchain-based tracking
Select the correct answer:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: Aadhaar and e-PoS are widely used; blockchain is still experimental in PDS.
5. The term "undernourishment" in UN reports refers to:
A) Lack of access to food for a healthy life
B) Only calorie deficiency
C) Obesity due to junk food
D) Seasonal hunger in rural areas
Answer: A
Explanation: Undernourishment means chronic calorie insufficiency, not just temporary hunger.
6. Which scheme replaced the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in 2021?
A) PM POSHAN
B) PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
C) National Nutrition Mission
D) ICDS
Answer: A
Explanation: The PM POSHAN (Poshan Shakti Nirman) scheme expanded the Mid-Day Meal Scheme with a focus on nutrition.
7. What percentage of food is lost between farm and market in India, as per UN estimates?
A) 5%
B) 13%
C) 20%
D) 25%
Answer: B
Explanation: Post-harvest losses due to poor storage and transport account for 13% of food wastage.
8. Which of the following is NOT a measure to improve food security?
A) Expanding cold storage infrastructure
B) Promoting cash transfers instead of PDS
C) Strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
D) Increasing MSP for pulses and millets
Answer: B
Explanation: While cash transfers exist (e.g., PM-KISAN), PDS remains critical for food security.
9. The "Shree Anna" initiative is related to:
A) Organic farming
B) Promotion of millets
C) Soil health cards
D) Aquaculture
Answer: B
Explanation: "Shree Anna" refers to millets, declared as Nutri-Cereals for their high nutritional value.
10. Which UN agency releases the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report?
A) WHO
B) FAO
C) UNDP
D) World Bank
Answer: B
Explanation: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads the SOFI report along with other UN bodies.
11. The PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was launched during:
A) 2014
B) 2016
C) 2020
D) 2022
Answer: C
Explanation: PMGKAY was launched in 2020 as a COVID relief measure, providing free food grains.
12. Which of the following is a focus area of PM POSHAN?
Dietary diversity
Fortified foods
Reducing sugar consumption
Select the correct answer:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: PM POSHAN focuses on dietary diversity and fortified foods, not sugar reduction.
13. The e-NAM platform is used for:
A) Online ration card registration
B) Digital trading of agricultural produce
C) Tracking food grain stocks
D) Monitoring malnutrition
Answer: B
Explanation: e-NAM (National Agricultural Market) is an online marketplace for farmers to sell produce.
14. Which of the following is a major cause of food inflation in India?
A) High MSP for wheat and rice
B) Low production of pulses and oilseeds
C) Excessive buffer stocks
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: All factors contribute—MSP skews production, low pulses/oilseeds increase imports, and excess stocks distort supply.
15. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 aims to:
A) Eliminate all forms of hunger by 2030
B) Double agricultural productivity
C) Ensure universal PDS coverage
D) Promote organic farming
Answer: A
Explanation: SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) targets ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Why These Questions Matter for UPSC?
Prelims 2023-24 had direct questions on PDS, NFSA, and malnutrition.
Interdisciplinary links: Connects economy, governance, and agriculture (GS Paper III).
Current relevance: India’s food security policies are frequently in news (e.g., PMGKAY extension).
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