2019 · GS Paper 3 · Q13 · 15 marks
What are the reformative steps taken by the Government to make food grain distribution system more effective?
In short
The Government has reformed food grain distribution through targeting, the legal entitlements of the NFSA 2013, free grain, end-to-end computerisation, ration portability and better procurement and storage. NFSA grain has been free since January 2023, extended for five years from 2024 at ₹11.80 lakh crore.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 294 words
Legal entitlement
The NFSA, 2013 guarantees 5 kg of grain per person a month to up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban people, with the eldest woman as card head.
Free grain
NFSA grain became free from January 2023, extended for five years from 2024 at ₹11.80 lakh crore (PIB).
Nutrition focus
Fortified rice covered the whole PDS by March 2024, shifting the goal from calories to micronutrients.
Computerisation
Aadhaar-seeded ration cards and e-PoS in over 5.50 lakh fair price shops weed out bogus cards.
Portability and cash
One Nation One Ration Card, in all states and UTs by 2022, serves migrants, and food subsidy DBT began in Chandigarh and Puducherry in 2015.
Logistics
Decentralised procurement (1997-98), PPP steel silos, the cooperative grain storage plan (2023) and the Anna Chakra route tool (2024) cut losses.
Fix exclusion
Update coverage beyond Census 2011 and keep biometric fallbacks.
Shanta Kumar reforms
Adopt negotiable warehouse receipts and state-led procurement as the committee (2015) advised.
Diversify the basket
Add millets and pulses and activate social audits.
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Public Distribution System2 questions
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.