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 subsidies 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?
Contents17
- A1 and 2
- B2 only
- C1 and 3
- D3 only
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
- Statement 1 is WRONG: The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 does NOT limit coverage to only 'below poverty line (BPL)' families. It provides subsidized foodgrains to a much wider population:
- Up to 75% of the rural population
- Up to 50% of the urban population
This covers about two-thirds of India's total population, far more than just BPL families. The Act categorizes eligible households into Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households.
Statement 2 is CORRECT: The Act says the eldest woman of the household (aged 18 years or above) shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards. This was a progressive step to empower women.
Statement 3 is WRONG: Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a free meal (not 'take-home ration of 1600 calories'). They also get maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000. The specific calorie figure mentioned in the statement is misleading.
REMEMBER: NFSA covers ~67% of India's population (not just BPL). Eldest WOMAN (18+) = head of household for ration cards. Pregnant/lactating mothers get free meals + Rs. 6,000 maternity benefit.
The National Food Security Act covers about 67% of India's population, making it one of the world's largest food security programs by coverage.
The Act made the eldest woman aged 18+ the household head for ration cards, representing a significant shift toward women's empowerment in welfare delivery.
UPSC is testing whether students know the Act goes far beyond just BPL families and covers a much broader population through Priority Households and AAY categories.
National Food Security Act 2013
Indian Economy National Food Security Act 2013 subsidies food grains ration card
National Food Security Act 2013: Coverage, Benefits & UPSC Traps
Covers 75% rural and 50% urban population (not just BPL families)
Eldest woman aged 18+ is head of household for ration cards
Pregnant women get free meals + ₹6,000 maternity benefit
Enacted in 2013, operationalized from 2014
What NFSA Does
The National Food Security Act, 2013 legally guarantees subsidized food grains to about 67% of India's population. It replaced the earlier Targeted Public Distribution System with broader coverage and made food security a legal entitlement, not just a welfare scheme.
Coverage Categories
Category | Coverage | Allocation | Price per kg |
|---|---|---|---|
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) | Poorest of poor families | 35 kg per family per month | ₹2 (wheat), ₹3 (rice) |
Priority Households | Other eligible families | 5 kg per person per month | ₹2 (wheat), ₹3 (rice) |
General Category | Non-eligible families | No entitlement under NFSA | Market price |
Population Coverage
Area | Coverage | Total Population Covered |
|---|---|---|
Rural | Up to 75% | Includes both AAY and Priority households |
Urban | Up to 50% | Includes both AAY and Priority households |
Overall | ~67% of total population | Approximately 81 crore people |
Key Provisions
Women empowerment: Eldest woman (18+ years) is head of household for ration card issuance
Maternity benefits: Free meals during pregnancy and 6 months after delivery + ₹6,000 cash
Child nutrition: Free meals for children (6 months to 14 years) through ICDS and Mid-Day Meal schemes
Grievance redressal: District and State Food Commissions to address complaints
Food security allowance: Cash compensation if foodgrains not supplied
Question Analysis
This PYQ tested three specific provisions. Statement 1 was a trap - NFSA covers far more than just BPL families. Statement 2 correctly identified the women-centric approach. Statement 3 confused free meals with a specific calorie-based take-home ration.
Trap: Assuming NFSA covers only BPL families - it actually covers 67% of population
Trap: Confusing eldest male with eldest woman as household head
Trap: Mixing up free meals with 1600-calorie take-home ration for pregnant women
Trap: Forgetting the ₹6,000 maternity benefit - it's separate from food entitlements
BPL vs NFSA Coverage Categories
Indian Economy below poverty line BPL
BPL vs NFSA Coverage: Understanding the Shift
Old system: Only BPL families got subsidized grains
NFSA system: 67% population coverage beyond just BPL
AAY households: Poorest families, 35 kg per family
The Paradigm Shift
Before NFSA, the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) focused mainly on families below the poverty line (BPL). NFSA expanded this dramatically to cover nearly two-thirds of India's population, moving from poverty-based targeting to broader food security coverage.
Old vs New System
Aspect | Pre-NFSA (TPDS) | Post-NFSA (2013) |
|---|---|---|
Target | BPL families only | 75% rural + 50% urban population |
Legal status | Welfare scheme | Legal right under NFSA |
Categories | APL, BPL, AAY | AAY + Priority Households |
Coverage | Limited to poor families | ~67% of total population |
Major trap: Questions asking if NFSA covers only BPL families - answer is always NO
Confusion: Mixing old TPDS terminology with new NFSA categories
Women Empowerment in NFSA
Indian Economy eldest woman 18 years or above head of the household
Women as Household Heads: NFSA's Progressive Provision
Eldest woman aged 18+ = automatic head of household
Applies specifically for ration card issuance
Major departure from traditional male-headed household norms
The Provision
Section 14(1) of NFSA mandates that the eldest woman in the household, aged 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for ration card purposes. This ensures women's control over household food security and represents a significant step toward gender equality in social welfare.
Key Features
Automatic headship: No choice given - eldest eligible woman becomes head
Age criterion: Must be 18 years or above to qualify
Scope: Applies specifically to ration card issuance and food entitlements
Legal mandate: Not optional - states must implement this provision
Exception: If no eligible woman, then eldest male member becomes head
Impact & Rationale
Women's control: Direct access to household food resources
Reduced leakages: Studies show women prioritize family nutrition over other expenses
Economic empowerment: Women become decision-makers in food procurement
Social recognition: Legal acknowledgment of women's role in household management
Easy trap: Confusing eldest male with eldest woman - always remember it's woman-first
Age trap: Must be 18+ years - younger women don't qualify regardless of marital status
Maternity Benefits under NFSA
Indian Economy Pregnant women lactating mothers take-home ration
Maternity Benefits: What NFSA Actually Provides
Free meals during pregnancy and 6 months after delivery
₹6,000 maternity benefit (not calorie-based take-home ration)
Benefits through Anganwadi centers under ICDS
Actual Provisions
NFSA provides free meals (not specific calorie-based take-home rations) to pregnant and lactating mothers through Anganwadi centers. Additionally, they receive a maternity benefit of not less than ₹6,000 to support nutrition during this critical period.
Maternity Benefits Breakdown
Benefit Type | What is Provided | Duration | Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|
Nutritional support | Free cooked meals | During pregnancy + 6 months post-delivery | Through Anganwadi centers |
Cash benefit | ₹6,000 (minimum) | One-time payment | Direct benefit transfer |
Healthcare | Counseling on nutrition, breastfeeding | Throughout pregnancy and lactation | ICDS workers |
Common Misconceptions
No fixed calorie target: NFSA doesn't specify 1600 calories per day as take-home ration
Cooked meals: Focus is on providing hot, cooked food through Anganwadis, not packaged rations
Cash + food: Both monetary and nutritional support provided simultaneously
Universal coverage: All pregnant women entitled regardless of BPL/APL status
Major trap: Questions mentioning 1600-calorie take-home rations - NFSA provides free meals, not specific calorie-based packages
Amount confusion: Remember ₹6,000 maternity benefit, not other amounts from different schemes