RAS question
The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to cover approximately what percentage of India's population for foodgrain entitlement?
Correct answer: (A) 67%.
The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to cover nearly two-thirds of India's population, or about 67%, for foodgrain entitlement.
Explanation
The National Food Security Act, 2013 bases coverage on broad legal entitlement rather than the earlier approach based on poverty estimates. Public Distribution System coverage is separated from those earlier poverty estimates and determined from Census 2011 population estimates. The Act covers nearly two-thirds of India's population, commonly rounded to about 67% in examinations. It covers 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population, whose eligible members receive highly subsidised foodgrains. Each Antyodaya Anna Yojana household receives 35 kg per month, while each eligible person in a Priority Household receives 5 kg per month. The central issue prices stated for coarse grains, wheat and rice are ₹1, ₹2 and ₹3 respectively.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) 75% is the share of the rural population covered under the Act, not the share of India's total population.
- (C) 50% is the share of the urban population covered under the Act, not the share of India's total population.
- (D) 80% exceeds the Act's overall coverage of nearly two-thirds, or about 67%, of the population; the rural and urban coverage figures are 75% and 50% respectively.
Concept
This question tests the legal right to food security and its coverage under Indian Economy, especially how foodgrain entitlement is delivered through the Public Distribution System. Such figures recur in RAS because they connect legislation, eligibility criteria and subsidy design.