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Minimum Support Price (MSP) Policy ? Ensures farmers get a fair price for their produce, encouraging food production.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) ? Launched during COVID-19 to provide free food grains to the poor.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) ? Focuses on nutrition, immunization, and preschool education for children under six and pregnant/lactating mothers.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme ? Provides nutritious meals to school children to improve nutrition and school attendance.

Public Distribution System (PDS) ? Ration shops distribute wheat, rice, and other essentials at subsidized rates. The Targeted PDS (TPDS) aims to better identify poor households.

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 ? Provides subsidized food grains to about two-thirds of the population.

Several policy interventions have been undertaken to ensure food security:

Policy Measures for Food Security in India

Agricultural distress ? Farmers face low productivity, high input costs, and poor pricing mechanisms, affecting food production.

Price volatility ? Rising food prices can make essential items unaffordable for the poor.

Inadequate coverage ? The National Food Security Act (NFSA) covers around 67% of the population, but many vulnerable groups still face food insecurity.

Nutritional concerns ? Food security is often equated with calorie intake, ignoring protein and micronutrient deficiencies.

Storage and wastage ? Poor infrastructure leads to food grain spoilage in warehouses.

Exclusion errors ? Many deserving poor people are left out due to errors in the identification of beneficiaries.

Leakages and corruption in PDS ? Diversion of food grains, fake ration cards, and middlemen exploitation.

Despite various initiatives, the Indian food security system faces several challenges:

Flaws in the Indian Food Security Programme

In India, food security is mainly implemented through mechanisms like the Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

Utilization of food ? Ensuring proper nutrition and absorption of food in the body.

Access to food ? Enabling people to obtain food through affordability and distribution mechanisms.

Availability of food ? Ensuring adequate food production and supply.

The food security system ensures that all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead healthy lives. It is based on three key components:

Concept of Food Security System The food security system ensures that all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead healthy lives. It is based on three key components: Availability of food ? Ensuring adequate food production and supply. Access to food ? Enabling people to obtain food through affordability and distribution … Read more

Keywords: Inclusive growth, Government policies, India. Required Approach: Primarily analytical, with elements of factual description. Points to Remember: Definition of inclusive growth. Key dimensions of inclusive growth (economic, social, environmental). Government policies aimed at inclusive growth in India (with examples). Critical evaluation of these policies â?? successes, failures, and challenges. Suggestions for improvement and a … Read more

Keywords: Underdeveloped economy, characteristics, Indian economy, reasons. Required Approach: Primarily factual and analytical, with a touch of reasoned opinion in assessing the Indian economy’s status. Points to Remember: Defining characteristics of an underdeveloped economy. Key indicators used to classify economies. India’s performance across these indicators. Contrasting aspects of the Indian economy (development alongside underdevelopment). A … Read more

Keywords: Demographic dividend, India, demographic transition, challenges, risks. Required Approach: Primarily factual and analytical, with some elements of opinion-based discussion regarding potential solutions. Points to Remember: Definition and characteristics of a demographic dividend. India’s current demographic structure and its implications. Opportunities presented by the demographic dividend. Challenges and risks associated with harnessing the dividend. Policy … Read more

Keywords: Net Product Method, Factor Income Method, National Income Estimation, India. Required Approach: Factual and Analytical. Points to Remember: National income can be estimated using different methods, each with strengths and weaknesses. The Net Product Method focuses on the value added at each stage of production. The Factor Income Method focuses on the income earned … Read more

Points to Remember: Jharkhand’s fiscal deficit target for 2024-25. Understanding the concept of fiscal deficit and GSDP. Identifying the correct percentage target from the given options. Introduction: The fiscal deficit is a crucial indicator of a state’s financial health. It represents the difference between a government’s total expenditure and its total revenue, excluding borrowings. A … Read more

Points to Remember: Standard of living reflects the overall quality of life. Multiple indicators contribute to measuring standard of living. Per capita income is a key, but not sole, indicator. Introduction: The standard of living refers to the overall quality of life experienced by individuals or a population within a country. It encompasses various aspects, … Read more

Points to Remember: Indian Five-Year Plans and their objectives. The focus of each plan on economic growth and social justice. Introduction: India’s Five-Year Plans are a series of centrally-planned economic development programs that have guided the nation’s economic policy since 1951. Each plan has had a specific focus, evolving over time to reflect changing priorities … Read more

Points to Remember: Kharif crops are sown at the beginning of the monsoon season (June-July) and harvested in the autumn (September-October). The question requires factual knowledge about Kharif crops. Introduction: Kharif crops, also known as monsoon crops, are agricultural products cultivated in the rainy season. These crops depend heavily on monsoon rainfall for their growth … Read more

This question has two distinct parts. The first requires factual knowledge about irrigation sources in India, while the second demands factual recall of data from the Economic Survey of Jharkhand. The approach is primarily factual. Points to Remember: Irrigation source ranking by irrigated area. Jharkhand’s GSDP growth rate projections. Introduction: India’s agricultural sector heavily relies … Read more

Keywords: Pradhan Mantri Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN), aim, farmers, income support. Required Approach: Factual Points to Remember: PM-KISAN’s primary objective. Target beneficiaries. Key features of the scheme. Impact and criticisms (if any). Introduction: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana is a flagship central government scheme in India aimed at providing income support to … Read more

Keywords: Revamped Public Distribution System (PDS), benefits, self-help groups, cooperative societies, remote areas, backward areas, cities. Required Approach: Factual and Analytical. The question requires an analysis of the benefits of the revamped PDS, assessing its impact on different segments of society. While some aspects might touch upon opinion, the core answer needs to be grounded … Read more

Keywords: Jharkhand Government, employment schemes, sustainable development, new assets, Birsa Harit Gram Yojana (BHGY), Veer Sahid Poto Ho Khel Vikas Scheme (VSPHKVS), Nilamber Pitamber Jal Samridhi Yojana (NPJSY), Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY). Required Approach: Factual. This question requires identifying the correct set of schemes launched by the Jharkhand government. The approach is … Read more

Points to Remember: Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDM) Public Distribution System (PDS) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Poverty alleviation vs. growth-oriented vs. minimum basic needs approaches Introduction: The question asks to classify Mid-day Meal, Public Distribution System, and Integrated Child Development Schemes based on their primary approach to societal development. These three schemes are flagship government … Read more

Keywords: Tax, States, exclusively imposed, collected. Required Approach: Factual Points to Remember: The division of tax powers between the Union and States in India. The key characteristics of different taxes in India. The constitutional provisions related to taxation. Introduction: India operates a federal system of governance, where tax powers are divided between the Union (Central … Read more

Points to Remember: Tenancy reform aims to balance the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Key aspects include rent control, security of tenure, and potentially ownership rights. Successful reform requires a nuanced approach considering various stakeholders and economic factors. Introduction: Tenancy reform is a crucial aspect of housing policy, aiming to create a more … Read more

Points to Remember: Atmanirbhar Bharat: A self-reliant India initiative. Import Substitution: Reducing reliance on imported goods. Export Industrialization: Boosting domestic production for global markets. Introduction: The “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) scheme, launched by the Indian government, aims to make India economically self-sufficient and globally competitive. While the precise definition and scope have been subject to … Read more

Points to Remember: The Bretton Woods system was a post-World War II international monetary system. The system’s core was the US dollar’s convertibility to gold. The system faced several challenges leading to its eventual collapse. The collapse involved liquidity, adjustment, and confidence issues. Introduction: The Bretton Woods system, established in 1944, aimed to create a … Read more

Points to Remember: The Green Revolution in India was a period of significant agricultural advancements. Several individuals contributed to its success, but the term’s originator needs identification. The question requires factual knowledge about the history of the Green Revolution in India. Introduction: The Green Revolution, a period of intensified agricultural production in India beginning in … Read more

Points to Remember: The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act aims to improve India’s fiscal management. The FRBM Committee periodically reviews and recommends targets for the Centre’s debt-to-GDP ratio. The debt-to-GDP ratio is a crucial indicator of a country’s fiscal health. Introduction: The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, was enacted in … Read more

Points to Remember: Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) definition and calculation. Components of the labour force. Distinction between LFPR and employment rate. Importance of LFPR as an economic indicator. Introduction: The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is a crucial economic indicator reflecting the proportion of the working-age population actively involved in the labour market. It … Read more

Points to Remember: The question focuses on the minimum calorie intake required for a rural individual to surpass the poverty line. The answer requires factual knowledge about poverty measurement and nutritional requirements. The approach is factual, relying on established data and standards. Introduction: Poverty is a multifaceted issue, and its measurement often involves multiple indicators. … Read more

Points to Remember: The question requires identifying the author of the book “Planning Economy for India.” The approach is purely factual; it requires recalling the author’s name. Introduction: The question pertains to the authorship of the influential book “Planning Economy for India.” This book, likely published during or around the period of India’s five-year plans, … Read more

Points to Remember: Price Levels: Understanding the difference between inflation, deflation, disinflation, and stagflation is crucial. Economic Indicators: These terms represent key economic indicators reflecting the overall health of an economy. Economic Consequences: Each term has distinct consequences for consumers, businesses, and the government. Introduction: The question asks to identify the term for a persistent … Read more