GS3 · Topic
Food Security and PDS
The Public Distribution System, buffer stocks, the National Food Security Act, hunger and nutrition as a distribution problem.
72 UPSC Mains GS3 questions on Food Security and PDS that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Assess the potential of millet production in promoting sustainable agriculture and improving food security in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsFood Security and PDS
"With growing urbanization, peri-urban agriculture is emerging as a significant contributor to fresh farm produce needs". In this context, discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with promoting peri-urban agriculture in a sustainable manner.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Agricultural MarketingCrops and Cropping Patterns
What are the major challenges faced by India's agriculture sector to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and vegetable oils? Suggest measures to address these challenges.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
"The sole point of MSP is to protect farmers from sudden price shock". Do you think legalization of MSP can insure farmers from sudden price shocks? What are the other measures which can be taken to make MSP-led procurement effective?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Subsidies and MSPAgricultural Marketing
Highlighting the factors contributing to high fiscal deficit in India, discuss the potential consequences of such deficit and suggest measures to ensure fiscal consolidation.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Fiscal Policy and BudgetingMacroeconomic Indicators
Discuss the role of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure food security in India. Suggest necessary reforms in the functioning of FCI to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
Discuss the role of nanotechnology on enhancing agricultural productivity and food security in India. Highlight recent developments and potential benefits and risks of use of nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Agri-technologyEmerging Technologies
It is being argued that India is struggling with overflowing foodgrains in warehouses. Discuss the statement in view of the existing buffer stock policy of India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
The existing MSP procurement regime is neither economically nor agro-ecologically sustainable. Elaborate. Also, evaluate the alternative approaches that can be adopted to improve the existing MSP regime.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Subsidies and MSPCrops and Cropping Patterns
The objective of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to provide a long term and equitable solution to the dilemma between free trade and food security has remained unfulfilled. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
Despite the potential to check the triple whammy of nutritional deficiency, environmental degradation, and receding farm incomes, the adoption of Millets has been abysmally low. Analyse.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
How is the rapid growth of the food processing industry leading to food safety challenges in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Food ProcessingFood Security and PDS
Despite significant pressure from the developed countries to alter its food subsidy regime, there is merit in India trying to retain its policy support for the poor in the country. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
Under the Public Distribution System of India, the Fair Price Shop (FPS) transformation is an evolving process. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Food Security and PDS
The rising import of oilseeds and pulses has made their cultivation unremunerative. In the light of this statement, elucidate the steps needed to promote the production and consumption of oilseeds and pulses in India.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
Discuss several ways in which biotechnology can help in ensuring food security in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
BiotechnologyFood Security and PDS
What are the different dimensions of food security? Examine India's status in terms of ensuring food security with regard to these dimensions.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Food Security and PDSInclusive Growth
'Genome editing holds immense potential for crop improvement, but it also raises ethical and safety concerns'. How far do the new guidelines for the safety assessment of genome-edited plants in India, ensure the safety of genetically modified crops?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023
BiotechnologyAgricultural Marketing
India's food management system is marred with lack of pro-active liquidation policy with respect to buffer stocks resulting in problem with the food security ecosystem. Discuss.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
Explain the concept of a nutrition-sensitive food system and suggest strategies to achieve it in the country.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
Food Security and PDSInclusive Growth
"Genome-edited crops have the potential to strengthen food and nutritional security in the country." Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
BiotechnologyFood Security and PDS
Why is self-sufficiency in pulse production crucial for India? Discuss the policy and technological interventions needed to achieve Aatma Nirbharata in pulses.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
Despite a robust Public Distribution System (PDS), food security remains a challenge to the Indian population. What are the deficiencies in the current PDS system? Suggest reforms to improve the system.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Food Security and PDS
'Integrated development and management of fisheries' would not only ensure food and nutritional security but also would help transform the rural socio-economic landscape.' Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018–2021
Animal Rearing and FisheriesFood Security and PDS
"Legalizing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) would create more challenges than it resolves." Comment.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Subsidies and MSPAgricultural Marketing
India remains significantly dependent on imports to meet its pulses demand. Examine the key challenges in achieving self-reliance in pulses. Also, mention the major government initiatives taken in this regard.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSP
Assess the potential for millet production in India, in promoting sust. agri. and improving food security.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Crops and Cropping PatternsFood Security and PDS
Critically analyse the suitability of direct benefits transfer as an alternative to the existing Public Distribution System.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2017
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP
Examine how enhancing agrobiodiversity can address India's food security challenges while building climate-resilient agricultural systems.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Crops and Cropping PatternsClimate Change
How do reforms in the Food Corporation of India strengthen Public Distribution System (PDS) efficiency and improve food security for vulnerable populations in India?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSP