UPSC Mains 2013 · GS II · Q9 · 10 marks · 200 words

The concept of Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme is almost a century old in India with early beginnings in Madras Presidency in pre-independent India. The scheme has again been given impetus in most states in the last two decades. Critically examine its twin objectives, latest mandates and success.

हिन्दी में

मध्याह्न भोजन योजना की संकल्पना भारत में लगभग एक शताब्दी पुरानी है जिसका आरम्भ स्वतंत्रता-पूर्व भारत के मद्रास महाप्रान्त (प्रेसीडेंसी) में किया गया था । पिछले दो दशकों से अधिकांश राज्यों में इस योजना को पुनः प्रोत्साहित किया जा रहा है । इसके दोहरे उद्देश्यों, नवीनतम आदेशों और सफलता का समालोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए ।

Welfare SchemesChildrenEducation

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Despite the implementation of numerous policies and schemes aimed at combating hunger and malnutrition in the country, their effectiveness remains limited. Analyse.”

Mudita BansalAIR 44 · CSE 2024 · 205 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a figure

India ranked 111/124 in FAO's Hunger Index, despite significant efforts in 2023.

Body · points

Diagram
Implementation of numerous schemes 1. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PDS) for 80 crore beneficiaries 2. Food fortification under PM POSHAN / golden Rice 3. POSHAN Abhiyan through Mid day Meals and Saksham Anganwadi

Hunger and Malnutrition persists

  1. 59% women continue to be anaemic (NFHS-05)
  2. 31% children stunted (25% of global) (NFHS-05)
  3. Wasting in 7% children (NFHS-05)
  4. 56% Indians don't have access to quality food (FAO)
  5. 'Hidden hunger' in absence of a diversified diet → paddy-wheat heavy
  6. 21% diseases caused by contaminated, inadequate water (WHO) in India.

Reasons for such Malnutrition and Hunger

  1. Adulteration of food, with some preservatives
  2. Rising population (20% decadal) reduces availability
  3. Patriarchy in society → Restricts food for women and girls
  4. Water stress in India → worst in top 17 countries
Diagram
Bar chart depicting water availability per person - Y-axis: m3/person - X-axis: 2011 and 2021 - 2011 bar labeled 5000 - 2021 bar labeled 1700 - Arrow pointing downwards indicating decrease - Legend: water
  1. Limited Millets / Pulses production and consumption amidst inflation / culture
  2. Climate change impacting food supply → 20% lower paddy yield (ES24)
  3. 40% of food wasted (FAO) in transportation

Way Forward

  1. Increasing availability of nutritious food through affordable PDS such as Bharat Atta, millets in PDS/MDM
  2. Increasing awareness through ASHA and ANGANWADIS
  3. Behavioural change through Swachh Bharat Mission Mitrs and NGOs.
  4. Bio-fortification across food items through Robust Food Processing Industry and efficient supply chain.

Close · a way forward

Malnutrition and Hunger demands "Mass Movement against Malnutrition" - PM Modi

1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper II, Q9. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.