Consider the following statements summarizing the food security scenario in India: 1. Food security is ensured if all citizens have enough nutritious food available and the capacity to buy it. 2. The worst affected groups are landless people in rural areas and casual labourers in urban areas. 3. The Public Distribution System (PDS) is the only programme ensuring food security in India. Which of the following statements are correct ?

Correct Option The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only. Explanation Food security is a multi-dimensional concept defined by the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food. It ensures that all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct. Food security is comprehensively ensured only when the following three dimensions are met: - Availability: Sufficient quantity of food production within the country, food imports, and stock stored in government granaries. - Accessibility: Food is within reach of every person without discrimination. - Affordability: Individuals have enough money to buy sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Therefore, the statement correctly summarizes the condition for food security. - Statement 2 is Correct. Food insecurity disproportionately affects economically vulnerable groups. In rural areas, the worst affected are landless agricultural labourers, marginal farmers, and traditional artisans. In urban areas, the food insecure families are primarily those of casual labourers and workers employed in ill-paid occupations with irregular income. - Statement 3 is Incorrect. While the Public Distribution System (PDS) is a central component of India's food security architecture, it is not the only programme. The Government of India has implemented several other interventions to ensure food security, including: - Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Focuses on nutrition for children and pregnant women. - PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme): Provides nutritional support to school children. - Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Targets the poorest of the poor. - National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: Provides a legal basis for these entitlements. Key Takeaway Food Security relies on the "3 As": Availability, Accessibility, and Affordability. While the PDS is the principal mechanism for distribution, it is supplemented by other welfare schemes like ICDS and PM POSHAN to cover specific vulnerable demographics.

NCERT Class 9 Economics — Chapter 4: Food Security in India

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements summarizing the food security scenario in India:

Food security is ensured if all citizens have enough nutritious food available and the capacity to buy it.
The worst affected groups are landless people in rural areas and casual labourers in urban areas.
The Public Distribution System (PDS) is the only programme ensuring food security in India.

Which of the following statements are correct ?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only.

Explanation

Food security is a multi-dimensional concept defined by the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food. It ensures that all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct.
Food security is comprehensively ensured only when the following three dimensions are met:
- Availability: Sufficient quantity of food production within the country, food imports, and stock stored in government granaries.
- Accessibility: Food is within reach of every person without discrimination.
- Affordability: Individuals have enough money to buy sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
Therefore, the statement correctly summarizes the condition for food security.
Statement 2 is Correct.
Food insecurity disproportionately affects economically vulnerable groups. In rural areas, the worst affected are landless agricultural labourers, marginal farmers, and traditional artisans. In urban areas, the food insecure families are primarily those of casual labourers and workers employed in ill-paid occupations with irregular income.
Statement 3 is Incorrect.
While the Public Distribution System (PDS) is a central component of India's food security architecture, it is not the only programme. The Government of India has implemented several other interventions to ensure food security, including:
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Focuses on nutrition for children and pregnant women.
- PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme): Provides nutritional support to school children.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Targets the poorest of the poor.
- National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: Provides a legal basis for these entitlements.

Key Takeaway

Food Security relies on the "3 As": Availability, Accessibility, and Affordability. While the PDS is the principal mechanism for distribution, it is supplemented by other welfare schemes like ICDS and PM POSHAN to cover specific vulnerable demographics.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Food Security in India

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I (Term) | List II (Definition) A. Buffer Stock | 1. Pre-announced price paid to farmers B. Minimum Support Price | 2. Payment to producer to supplement market price C. Issue Price | 3. Price lower than market price for distribution D. Subsidy | 4. Stock of foodgrains procured by government

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): 1. It was launched in December 2000. 2. It targeted all families living below the poverty line without any specific focus. 3. The scheme provided foodgrains at prevailing market rates. Which of the following statements are correct ?

easy

Which of the following statements correctly describes the role of cooperatives in food security in India? 1. In Tamil Nadu, around 94 % of fair price shops are run by cooperatives. 2. Mother Dairy provides milk and vegetables at controlled rates in Delhi. 3. The Academy of Development Science (ADS) has facilitated a network of NGOs for setting up Grain Banks in Maharashtra.

medium

Consider the following statements about the 'Annapurna Scheme' (APS): 1. It was launched in the year 2000. 2. Its target group is indigent senior citizens. 3. Under this scheme, 10 kg of foodgrains are provided free of cost. Which of the following statements are correct ?

medium

Which of the following factors has contributed to the decline of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in recent years? 1. Diverting grains to the open market by PDS dealers. 2. Selling poor quality grains at ration shops. 3. The small difference between the price of PDS items for APL families and the open market price. 4. Irregular opening of ration shops.

medium

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Correct Option

The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct.
Food security is comprehensively ensured only when the following three dimensions are met:
- Availability: Sufficient quantity of food production within the country, food imports, and stock stored in government granaries.
- Accessibility: Food is within reach of every person without discrimination.
- Affordability: Individuals have enough money to buy sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
Therefore, the statement correctly summarizes the condition for food security.
Statement 2 is Correct.
Food insecurity disproportionately affects economically vulnerable groups. In rural areas, the worst affected are landless agricultural labourers, marginal farmers, and traditional artisans. In urban areas, the food insecure families are primarily those of casual labourers and workers employed in ill-paid occupations with irregular income.
Statement 3 is Incorrect.
While the Public Distribution System (PDS) is a central component of India's food security architecture, it is not the only programme. The Government of India has implemented several other interventions to ensure food security, including:
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Focuses on nutrition for children and pregnant women.
- PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme): Provides nutritional support to school children.
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): Targets the poorest of the poor.
- National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: Provides a legal basis for these entitlements.