Contents

1. Public Distribution System in India 118

1.1. Objectives 118

1.2. Evolution and Functioning of PDS 118

1.3. Limitations of PDS In India 119

1.4. Targeted Public Distribution System 119

1.4.1. Key Features of TPDS 119

1.4.2. Issues related with TPDS 120

1.5. Recent PDS Reforms 120

1.6. Revamping of PDS 120

1.7. Alternatives to PDS 121

1.8. Universal vs. Targeted Debate 121

1.9. Food Corporation of India (FCI) 122

1.9.1. Recommendations of High Level Committee on Restructuring of FCI 122

2. Buffer Stocks 123

2.1. Introduction 123

2.2. Buffer Stock Policy of India 124

2.3. Critical Evaluation of Buffer Stocks in India 124

3. Food Security 126

3.1. Introduction 126

3.2. Qualitative and Quantitative Dimensions of Food Security 127

3.2.1. Quantitative Dimension of Food Security in India 127

3.2.2. Qualitative Dimension of Food Security in India 127

3.3. Why Securing Food is a Challenge? 128

3.3.1. Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) 128

3.3.2. Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme 128

3.3.3. Critical Appraisal of ICDS and MDM 129

3.4. National Food Security Act, 2013 129

3.4.1. Key Features of the Act 129

3.4.2. Critical Evaluation of NFSA 130

3.5. WTO and Food Security 131

3.5.1. Recent debates in WTO meets over Food Security 131

4. GS Mains Test Series Questions 132

5. Previous Year UPSC Questions 141