Q. Consider the following statements regarding Food Security:
1. Food security ensures availability, accessibility, and affordability of food.
2. Food security is needed only for rural households.
3. Natural disasters can increase the risk of food insecurity.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A). 1 and 3 only
B). 2 and 3 only
C). 1 only
D). 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A). 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Food security is needed for all people, not just rural ones; disasters worsen food insecurity.
Q. Consider the following statements about Public distribution (PDS):
1. PDS supplies food grains at subsidised prices to poor households.
2. PDS is operated through ration shops or fair-price shops.
3. PDS ensures a minimum support price for farmers.
Which statements are correct?
A). 1 only
B). 2 and 3 only
C). 1 and 2 only
D). 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C). 1 and 2 only
Explanation: MSP is provided by the government, not PDS; PDS is for distribution only.
Q. Approximately how many people died in the Bengal Famine of 1943?
A). 1 lakh
B). 10 lakh
C). Around 30 lakh
D). 5 thousand
Answer: C). Around 30 lakh
Explanation: Around 3 million (30 lakh) people died due to starvation and disease.
Q. Buffer stock of food grains is maintained to:
A). Stabilize prices and ensure food availability during shortages
B). Sell food abroad
C). Promote urbanization
D). Export technology
Answer: A). Stabilize prices and ensure food availability during shortages
Explanation: Buffer stock prevents shortages and price fluctuations.
Q. Consider the following statements about Buffer Stock:
1. It helps to overcome food shortages during bad agricultural years.
2. It helps stabilize food prices by releasing grains during scarcity.
3. It is maintained only for export purposes.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
A). 1 only
B). 2 and 3 only
C). 1 and 2 only
D). 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C). 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Buffer stock is for domestic food security, not exports.
Q. Minimum Support Price (MSP) ensures:
A). Farmers sell at market price only
B). Farmers get guaranteed price for crops
C). Food is exported
D). Urban employment
Answer: B). Farmers get guaranteed price for crops
Explanation: MSP guarantees farmers’ income, encouraging production and food security.
Q. Consider the following statements:
1. High agricultural productivity ensures availability of food.
2. MSP ensures income security for farmers.
3. Lack of irrigation facilities increases food security.
Which of the above are correct?
A). 2 only
B). 2 and 3 only
C). 1 and 2 only
D). 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C). 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Lack of irrigation decreases food security.
Q. Chronic hunger is mainly caused by —.
A). Very high agricultural output
B). Persistent poverty
C). Sudden rainfall shortage
D). Surplus food production
Answer: B). Persistent poverty
Explanation: Persistent poverty limits access to food, leading to chronic hunger.
Q. Seasonal hunger is different from chronic hunger because —.
A). It affects only children
B). It is temporary and occurs during specific periods
C). It lasts throughout the year
D). It is caused by obesity
Answer: B). It is temporary and occurs during specific periods
Explanation: Seasonal hunger is mainly seen in agriculture, where work depends on crop cycles.
Q. Food Corporation of India (FCI) plays a role in:
A). Procuring crops at MSP and distributing through PDS
B). Urban development
C). Exporting crops only
D). Education
Answer: A). Procuring crops at MSP and distributing through PDS
Explanation: FCI helps maintain buffer stock and ensures food security
Q. The main purpose of buffer stock is to:
A). Stabilize prices
B). Prevent famine
C). Ensure continuous supply
D). All of the above
Answer: D). All of the above
Explanation: Buffer stock maintains supply stability, price control, and food availability.
Q. Malnutrition affects:
A). Children and women the most
B). Only adult men
C). Only farmers
D). Urban youth
Answer: A). Children and women the most
Explanation: Children and women are most vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies
Q. Which of the following statements is correct about food security in India today?
A). India is self-sufficient in food grain production.
B). India still faces massive famine-like situations every year.
C). PDS has been completely abolished.
D). Buffer stock is not used anymore.
Answer: A). India is self-sufficient in food grain production.
Explanation: India produces enough food grains to meet domestic needs.
Q. Which crop showed the most significant improvement due to the Green Revolution?
A). Cotton
B). Sugarcane
C). Wheat
D). Tea
Answer: C). Wheat
Explanation: With the success of Wheat Revolution, Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi released a special stamp entitled ‘Wheat Revolution’ in July 1968.
Q. Rationing in India was first introduced in
A). 1940s
B). 1950s
C). 1960s
D). 1970s
Answer: A). 1940s
Explanation: The introduction of Rationing in India dates back to the 1940s against the backdrop of the Bengal famine.
Q. The Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) was launched in —.
A). 1987
B). 1992
C). 1997
D). 2001
Answer: B). 1992
Explanation: Unlike traditional PDS, RPDS was region-specific, focusing on backward and inaccessible areas.
Q. Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) replaced which earlier system?
A). Universal PDS
B). RPDS
C). Jan Dhan Yojana
D). Antyodaya Yojana
Answer: B). RPDS
Explanation: RPDS (Revamped PDS) was replaced by TPDS in 1997 to improve targeting of subsidised food, targeting the ‘poor in all areas’.
Q. Consider the following statements about Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY):
1. It was launched in 2000 to provide highly subsidised food grains to the poorest of the poor.
2. Under AAY, eligible households receive 35 kg of food grains per month at highly subsidised rates.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A). 1 only
B). 2 only
C). 1 and 2 only
D). Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C). 1 and 2 only
Explanation: AAY was designed for the poorest Below Poverty Line (BPL) families
Q. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) was enacted in which year?
A). 2005
B). 2009
C). 2013
D). 2016
Answer: C). 2013
Explanation: Under NFSA act 2013, 75% of rural population and 50% of urban population have been categorised as eligible households for food security.