PDS and Food Security Act

The Public Distribution System (PDS) evolved from universal (pre-1997) to targeted (TPDS, 1997) to the National Food Security Act (NFSA, 2013) covering 67% population. NFSA entitles 5 kg/person/month (rice Rs 3, wheat Rs 2, coarse grains Rs 1). AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) for poorest: 35 kg/household. Key challenges: leakages (30-40% pre-NFSA, ~15% now), identification errors (inclusion/exclusion), and the cash transfer debate (DBT vs in-kind).[TOPIC CLASSIFICATION]

• Topic type: Economy - Food Security and PDS
• PYQ frequency: High
• Exam stage: Prelims + Mains
• Primary GS paper: GS 3

[EXAMINER REASONING]

1. Trap: Confusing TPDS (1997) with NFSA (2013). TPDS had BPL/APL categories; NFSA has priority households (PHH) and AAY, with legal entitlements. Many aspirants use TPDS and NFSA interchangeably.
2. Most confused: The coverage: NFSA covers 67% (75% rural, 50% urban). Priority households (PHH) get 5 kg/person; AAY gets 35 kg/household. The identification criteria (SECC 2011) and exclusion/inclusion errors are tested.
3. Key anchor: NFSA 2013: 5 kg/person/month (rice Rs 3, wheat Rs 2, coarse Rs 1), 67% coverage, AAY 35 kg/household. TPDS 1997: BPL/APL. Universal PDS pre-1997. Leakages: 30-40% (pre-NFSA) -> ~15% (post-NFSA, Shanta Kumar Committee). DBT pilot (Chandigarh, Puducherry, Dadra).
4. Current affairs hook: NFSA 10 years (2023). Shanta Kumar Committee (2015) recommended 40% coverage, DBT, private procurement. PMGKAY (COVID, 80 cr beneficiaries, 5 kg free, extended to Dec 2024). Smart PDS (Aadhaar seeding, PoS, DBT). Food subsidy Rs 2.1L cr (FY24). ONORC (One Nation One Ration Card) portable.
5. Mains hinge: Evaluate: Is NFSA a rights-based approach or a fiscal burden? The DBT vs in-kind debate (leakages vs food security), identification errors (exclusion of deserving, inclusion of non-deserving), and ONORC portability for migrants is the Mains frame.

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Core Concept

PDS evolution: Universal (pre-1997) -> TPDS (1997, BPL/APL) -> NFSA (2013, rights-based). NFSA: 67% coverage (75% rural, 50% urban). Priority Households (PHH): 5 kg/person/month (rice Rs 3, wheat Rs 2, coarse Rs 1). Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): poorest of poor, 35 kg/household. Identification: SECC 2011 (exclusion criteria: motorized vehicle, AC, govt job, etc.; inclusion: homeless, manual scavenger, etc.).

Leakages: 30-40% (pre-NFSA, NSSO) -> ~15% (post-NFSA, Shanta Kumar Committee 2015). Food subsidy: Rs 2.1L cr (FY24). FCI procurement (MSP), storage, distribution. Decentralized procurement (DCP) states (Punjab, Haryana, MP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, etc.).

Reforms: Aadhaar seeding, PoS devices (ePoS), DBT pilots (Chandigarh, Puducherry, Dadra & Nagar Haveli). ONORC (One Nation One Ration Card): portability for migrants, 35 states/UTs. PMGKAY (2020-2024): 5 kg free grain to 80 cr beneficiaries, extended to Dec 2024. Smart PDS: tech-enabled, real-time monitoring.