Food Security and Management

Q1.With reference to the pillars of food security as defined by the World Food Summit (1996), consider the following statements: 1. The pillar of 'Stability' refers to the physical, economic, and ecological access to food for all people. 2. The pillar of 'Utilisation' implies that consumed food must have a positive nutritional impact on people. 3. The pillar of 'Availability' ensures that people have the purchasing power to acquire food in sufficient quantity and quality. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q2.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The initial concept of food security, as defined in the mid-1970s, was primarily focused on food supply and price stability at the national and international levels. Statement-II: The World Food Summit of 1996 expanded the definition of food security to include the multidimensional aspects of food access, availability, food use, and stability. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q3.With reference to the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), consider the following statements: 1. Target 2.3 aims to double the productivity and incomes of all food producers, including large-scale commercial farms. 2. Target 2.b seeks to promote agricultural trade restrictions and market distortions to protect domestic food producers. 3. Target 2.c is concerned with ensuring stable food commodity markets and timely access to market information. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q4.Consider the following statements regarding the responsibilities under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India: 1. The operational responsibility for the identification of Below Poverty Line (BPL) households and the issuance of ration cards lies with the Central Government. 2. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the nodal agency responsible for procurement, storage, and the final distribution of foodgrains to beneficiaries through Fair Price Shops. 3. The Central Government manages the transportation and bulk allocation of foodgrains to the various States. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q5.Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India: 1. The Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) was the first scheme to introduce the classification of the population into Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) categories. 2. Under the initial framework of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the Central Issue Price for Above Poverty Line (APL) families was fixed at 50 per cent of the economic cost. 3. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched to provide 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month to the 'poorest of the poor' from its inception in December 2000. How many of the above statements are incorrect?

Q6.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The initial implementation of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) resulted in a high build-up of excess foodgrains in Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns. Statement-II: The Central Issue Prices for Above Poverty Line (APL) households were originally fixed at 100 per cent of the economic cost, which led to many such households not purchasing foodgrains from the PDS. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q7.With reference to the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, consider the following statements: 1. The Act mandates coverage for 50 per cent of the rural population and 75 per cent of the urban population. 2. Under the Act, households under the 'Priority' category are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month. 3. Beneficiaries under the Act are entitled to receive rice at a subsidised price of ₹3 per kg. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q8.Consider the following statements regarding the major changes incorporated in the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, as compared to the earlier Act of 1986: 1. The definition of a 'consumer' has been expanded to include persons who buy goods for commercial purposes or resale. 2. The pecuniary jurisdiction of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions has been increased to hear complaints where the value of goods or services is up to ₹10 crore. 3. A new central regulator, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), was established to replace the previously existing regulatory body. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q9.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) was introduced as a new integrated food security programme that subsumed and replaced the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. Statement-II: PM-GKAY integrated the food subsidy schemes of the Department of Food and Public Distribution to streamline the delivery of free foodgrains to states. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q10.With reference to the Foodgrain Stocking Norms, consider the following statements: 1. The foodgrain stock in the central pool is classified into two distinct categories: Buffer Stock and Operational Stock. 2. Strategic Reserves are fixed by the Central Government at the beginning of each quarter and include the stock earmarked for the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). 3. The norms for foodgrain stocking apply exclusively to rice and wheat. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q11.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The economic cost of foodgrains for the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is substantially higher than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) at which they are procured. Statement-II: The economic cost of foodgrains includes procurement price (MSP) and distribution costs, but excludes procurement incidentals like statutory charges and labour charges. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q12.With reference to the recommendations of the High-Level Committee (HLC) on the restructuring of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), consider the following statements: 1. The committee recommended that FCI should hand over all procurement operations to states with sufficient infrastructure. 2. It suggested increasing the coverage of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) from 40% to 67% to widen the social safety net. 3. It proposed that farmers should be given a direct cash subsidy, followed by the deregulation of the fertiliser sector. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q13.Consider the following statements regarding recent reforms to improve the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India: 1. The 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme enables migratory beneficiaries to lift their entitled foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop in the country after biometric authentication. 2. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for food subsidy, where cash is transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts, has been made mandatory for all States and Union Territories to implement. 3. Automation of Fair Price Shops involves installing electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices to track the sale of foodgrains to actual cardholders in real-time. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q14.Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: A significant limitation of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is the leakage and diversion of foodgrains by Fair Price Shop owners before they reach the intended beneficiaries. Statement-II: The government has promoted the automation of Fair Price Shops through the installation of electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices and the seeding of ration cards with Aadhaar. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q15.With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY), consider the following statements: 1. Under the scheme, the identification of Priority Households (PHH) is carried out by the Central Government as per its prescribed criteria. 2. The scheme provides 5 kg of free food grain per family in addition to the 5 kg of subsidised food grain already available through the Public Distribution System. 3. All Below Poverty Line (BPL) families are eligible to avail the benefits under this scheme. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q16.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) incorporates a price assurance mechanism for farmers. Statement-II: The Viability Price (VP) under NMEO-OP is designed to insulate farmers from the volatility of domestic market prices for crude palm oil. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q17.Consider the following statements regarding the National Food Security Mission (NFSM): 1. The mission was initially launched with the objective to increase the production of rice, wheat, pulses, and coarse cereals. 2. NFSM-Commercial Crops is currently one of the sub-components under the mission. 3. The National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) was launched as a sub-mission within the broader framework of NFSM. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q18.Consider the following indicators: 1. Child Stunting 2. Child Mortality 3. Prevalence of Anaemia in Women How many of the above are used to calculate the composite score for the Global Hunger Index (GHI)?

Q19.Consider the following statements: 1. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) was established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 2. The standards set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission are legally binding on all member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for international food trade. 3. India was a founding member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q20.With reference to the Global Hunger Index (GHI), consider the following statements: Statement-I: India's performance in tackling hunger showed an improvement between the 2023 and 2024 reports. Statement-II: A lower rank in the Global Hunger Index indicates a better performance compared to a higher rank.

Q21.Consider the following statements regarding the threats posed by farm waste: 1. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from farm waste in surface waters increase the dissolved oxygen, thereby benefiting aquatic life. 2. The development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from farm waste is primarily due to the presence of pesticides and heavy metals in animal excreta. 3. Spray drift refers to the process where chemical droplets from farmland are carried into the air and transported by wind. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q22.Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The management of farm waste involves a differential approach where some materials like asbestos-based products are recommended for safe disposal rather than recycling. Statement-II: All components of farm waste, including biodegradable materials and tree waste, are considered hazardous and must be disposed of in designated landfills without any possibility of reuse or recycling to prevent environmental contamination. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q23.With reference to the challenges to food security, consider the following statements: 1. A lack of suitable infrastructure for farmers primarily leads to a decrease in soil fertility. 2. Overcultivation and excessive pesticide usage are identified as direct consequences of climate change affecting food security. 3. Climate change contributes to food shortages by increasing the frequency of severe weather events like floods and droughts. How many of the above statements are correct?

Q24.Consider the following statements regarding poverty estimation methodologies in India: Statement-I: The methodology adopted by the Rangarajan Committee generally results in a higher poverty estimation compared to the Tendulkar Committee. Statement-II: The Government of India has officially adopted the Rangarajan Committee's methodology for its poverty estimates and planning. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q25.With reference to the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, consider the following statements: 1. Priority Households are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month. 2. The identification of eligible households under the Act is done by the States/UTs. 3. The Act provides for a shift from a welfare-based to a rights-based approach to food security. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q26.Recent trends in household consumption have implications for India's food subsidy regime. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. An increase in real Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) strengthens the case for expanding the coverage of beneficiaries under food security schemes. 2. Rationalizing food subsidy beneficiaries could potentially increase fiscal space for expenditure in other key sectors. 3. The Shanta Kumar Committee recommended increasing the PDS coverage to better target subsidies across the population. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q27.With reference to the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO), consider the following statements: 1. The mission introduces a Viability Price (VP) mechanism to protect farmers cultivating primary oilseed crops like mustard and soybean from price fluctuations. 2. One of its key strategies is to expand cultivation area by utilizing rice fallow lands and promoting intercropping for oilseeds. 3. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that includes financial assistance for the rejuvenation of old oil palm gardens. How many of the statements given above are correct?