UPSC Prelims 2018 Q25: Indian Economy – Human Development, Poverty & Employment Schemes

UPSC Prelims 2018, General Studies Paper I · Indian Economy

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements: 1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains. 2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card. 3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a 'take - home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

Statement	Claim	Verdict	Detail
1	Only BPL families are eligible for subsidised foodgrains	FALSE	NFSA covers up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population - reaching ~67% of India's population (roughly 82 crore people). This includes both Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) categories, NOT just BPL.
2	The eldest woman aged 18+ shall be the head of household for the ration card	TRUE	Section 13 of NFSA 2013 explicitly says: 'The eldest woman who is not less than eighteen years of age, in every eligible household, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of the issue of ration cards.'
3	Pregnant/lactating women get 1600 calories/day take-home ration	FALSE	Under Section 4 of NFSA, pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a free meal during pregnancy and six months after childbirth (not specifically 1600 calories/day) PLUS maternity benefit of not less than Rs 6,000 (paid in instalments). The '1600 calories' figure is fictitious.

Answer: (b) 2 only.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong - NFSA covers up to 67% of population, not just BPL.
(b) CORRECT. Only Statement 2 is right - Section 13 mandates the eldest woman as head of household for ration card.
(c) Incorrect. Statement 3 misstates the entitlement (there is no 1600-calorie mandate).
(d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is the correct one; 3 is wrong.

Key point

NFSA 2013 headline: Covers ~67% of population (75% rural + 50% urban). Categories: AAY (35 kg/family/month) + PHH (5 kg/person/month) at Rs 3/2/1 for rice/wheat/coarse grains. Eldest woman 18+ = head of household (Section 13). Maternity benefit Rs 6,000.

Remember

The National Food Security Act, 2013 covers up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban population - not just BPL families - through AAY and Priority Households. Section 13 mandates that the eldest woman aged 18 or above in each eligible household shall be the head of household for issuing ration cards. Pregnant and lactating women are entitled to free meals and a Rs 6,000 maternity benefit, not a specific 1600-calorie ration.

Common mistakes

Assuming NFSA is only for BPL - it covers up to 67% including AAY and Priority households.
Confusing NFSA's maternity entitlement with fictitious calorie thresholds - the Act specifies Rs 6,000 maternity benefit plus free meals.
Missing that Section 13's woman-headed-household rule is a major gender-empowerment provision.

Exam tip

NFSA numbers to remember: 67% coverage (75+50). 5 kg/person/month at Rs 3/2/1. AAY 35 kg/family. Maternity Rs 6,000. Eldest woman 18+ heads the ration card.

Sources

National Food Security Act, 2013 - Sections 3, 4 and 13
National Food Security Rules, 2014

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