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 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 2 is correct: Section 13 of the NFSA makes the eldest woman aged 18 or above the head of household for ration-card purposes, to empower women.
• Statement 1 is wrong: the Act covers 'priority households' (up to 75% rural and 50% urban population) plus Antyodaya households, not just BPL families.
• Statement 3 is wrong: pregnant women and lactating mothers get a free meal and a maternity benefit of ₹6,000; Schedule II prescribes a take-home ration of 600 calories, not 1,600, for them.
• Hence 2 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is wrong: coverage is by priority households, not BPL only.
- (c) 1 and 3
- Statements 1 and 3 are wrong.
- (d) 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong: the ration norm is 600 calories.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.