NFSA marks a paradigm shift in the approach to food security from welfare to rights based approach. It is the world’s largest food transfer programme and social safety net, accounting for around 50% of India’s overall social assistance budget.
Salient Features of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
Legal entitlement to food for 75% of rural and 50% of urban population81 crore people).
Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) supplies 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month at highly subsidized prices:
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households receive 35 kg per family per month.
Life-cycle approach:
Pregnant & lactating women: Free meals + (PMMVY).
Children: ICDS & Mid-Day Meal/PM-POSHAN.
State-wise coverage is determined by the NITI Aayog by using the NSS Household Consumption Survey data.
Identification of eligible households is done by States/UTs
Food security allowance: If foodgrains are not supplied, beneficiaries receive compensation.
Grievance redressal mechanisms at state and district levels including State Food Commissions.
Role of NFSA in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India
Reduced out-of-pocket spending on staple foods has improved dietary diversity by ‘crowding in’ the consumption of nutrient-dense foods
Fortified rice under NFSA covers 291 districts (Phase II) and over 65% of NFSA households
Malnourishment in children under 5 years has reduced (NHFS-5)
Stunting – from 38.4% to 35.5%,
Wasting – 21.0% to 19.3% and
Underweight – 35.8% to 32.1% .
Malnutrition among women aged 15-49 years has also reduced from 22.9% to 18.7%.
Food Security during COVID under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
Regular PDS supply has reduced seasonal hunger in tribal belts of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh
ICDS covers an 90 million children, 11 million pregnant women, and 2 million adolescent girls
However, despite these steps there are few challenges
As per study by Crisil using a ‘thali index’, up to 50% of rural and 20% of urban Indians cannot afford two balanced meals a day
Fiscal Burden – Food subsidy budget @ 2.1 lakh cr in 2025-26
Even with PDS support, food deprivation remained 40% in rural and 10% in urban areas
Diversion – Eg- 28% of allocated foodgrains fail to reach beneficiaries as per HCES 2022-23.
Inclusion and exclusion errors due to faulty beneficiary identification.
Corruption at Fair Price Shops (FPS) – Issues of under-weighing, overcharging etc
Persistent triple burden of malnutrition
Way Forward
Shanta Kumar Committee Recommendations on Revamping of PDS
Direct Procurement by States
Private Sector Involvement in procurement, storage, and distribution
Diversify the food basket – Include millets, pulses, edible oil and iodised salt
Nutrition Education and Behavior Change through nudge theory. Eg- POSHAN Abhiyaan’s Jan Andolan people’s movement approach
Involvement of Civil Society – Eg- Akshaya Patra Foundation’s centralized kitchens model
Strengthening Life-cycle Approach to Nutrition– Eg- Karnataka’s “Mathrupoorna” scheme provides one full meal to pregnant women.
To realise SDG 1,2,3,and 12, the focus needs to shift from Food Security to Nutritional Security