Q8
(a) How has food production, including horticultural crops, changed in India during the last one decade ? Write down its impact on food and nutritional security. 20 (b) Write down the various programmes run by State and Central Governments for ensuring food security in our country. Briefly discuss the strategies for sustainable agricultural production. 20 (c) Classify foods on the basis of their functions. Write down a balanced diet for a sedentary man and woman in India. 10
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a) पिछले एक दशक में भारत में खाद्य उत्पादन, औद्यानिकी (बागवानी) फसलों सहित, कैसे बदला है ? खाद्य एवं पोषण सुरक्षा पर इसके प्रभाव को लिखिए । 20 (b) हमारे देश में खाद्य सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने के लिए राज्य एवं केन्द्र सरकार द्वारा चलाए जा रहे विभिन्न कार्यक्रमों को लिखिए । संधारणीय कृषि उत्पादन के लिए रणनीतियों की संक्षेप में चर्चा कीजिए । 20 (c) खाद्यों को उनके कार्यों के आधार पर वर्गीकृत कीजिए । भारत में निश्क्रिय पुरुष एवं महिला के लिए संतुलित आहार लिखिए । 10
Directive word: Describe
This question asks you to describe. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.
See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.
How this answer will be evaluated
Approach
The directive 'describe' demands factual narration with analytical depth across all three parts. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks and data-intensive nature; 35% to part (b) covering programmes and sustainability; and 25% to part (c) for functional classification and diet composition. Structure with a brief composite introduction linking production-security-nutrition, followed by three clearly demarcated sections, and a concluding synthesis on India's food security trajectory.
Key points expected
- Part (a): Quantify trends in foodgrain production (2014-2024) showing record highs, plateauing yields, and horticultural output surpassing foodgrains; explain the 'diversification dividend' and its nutritional implications including reduced cereal dependency and micronutrient access
- Part (a): Analyze the production-security paradox—how higher aggregate production coexists with persistent undernutrition, regional disparities (eastern vs northwestern India), and climate-induced volatility affecting nutritional outcomes
- Part (b): Enumerate Central schemes (NFSA, PMGKAY, POSHAN Abhiyaan, PM-KISAN) and State initiatives (Anna Bhagya, Amma Canteens) with their target populations and delivery mechanisms; distinguish entitlement-based from input-support programmes
- Part (b): Outline sustainable strategies: natural farming promotion, millets revival (International Year of Millets 2023), precision agriculture, water-use efficiency (Per Drop More Crop), and climate-resilient varieties
- Part (c): Classify foods by function—energy-giving (cereals, fats), body-building (proteins, minerals), protective (vitamins, antioxidants); specify balanced diet composition using ICMR-NIN Recommended Dietary Allowances for sedentary adults
- Part (c): Differentiate male (2320 kcal) and female (1900 kcal) requirements with appropriate food group proportions and typical Indian dietary patterns
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 20% | 10 | Precisely defines food security dimensions (availability, access, utilization, stability) per FAO; correctly distinguishes between food security and nutritional security; accurately applies ICMR-NIN RDA values for sedentary adults in part (c); understands horticulture-led diversification as distinct from Green Revolution cereal focus | Basic understanding of food security concepts but conflates availability with access; generic mention of 'balanced diet' without specific caloric values; limited grasp of nutritional security as broader than calorie adequacy | Confuses food security with self-sufficiency or food sovereignty; incorrect RDA values or no gender differentiation; fundamental misunderstanding of food classification by function |
| Quantitative reasoning | 20% | 10 | Cites specific production data: foodgrain output rising from ~265 million tonnes (2013-14) to record 330+ million tonnes (2020-21 onward); horticulture production exceeding 340 million tonnes; yield trends showing wheat/rice plateau vs horticulture growth; imports/exports balance; precise caloric and protein calculations for diet planning | Round-figure estimates without specific years; mentions 'record production' without quantitative backing; approximate caloric values without source attribution | No numerical data or significantly outdated/incorrect figures; purely qualitative description of trends; missing quantitative dimension entirely in part (c) |
| Indian context examples | 20% | 10 | References specific state experiences: Tamil Nadu's horticulture growth, Maharashtra's onion economy, Karnataka's precision farming; cites Odisha's millet mission, Kerala's community kitchens; mentions regional production disparities (eastern India's untapped potential); uses Indian food equivalents (dal, roti, sabzi) in diet planning | Generic mention of 'some states' without naming; standard examples like Punjab wheat or Kerala coconut without analytical depth; Indian foods listed without regional specificity | No Indian examples or inappropriate foreign comparisons; diet plan uses Western food items; ignores regional diversity in dietary patterns |
| Diagram / process | 15% | 7.5 | Includes well-labeled diagram showing food security-nutrition pathway (production → availability → access → utilization); or flowchart of NFSA delivery mechanism; or food pyramid/plate diagram for balanced diet with Indian food groups; process description of sustainable agriculture transition steps | Simple unlabeled diagram or table format for programmes; basic list structure for food classification without visual hierarchy; no diagram but clear tabular presentation | No visual element where clearly beneficial; messy or irrelevant diagram; purely narrative response without any structured presentation |
| Policy / extension angle | 25% | 12.5 | Critically evaluates policy coherence: NFSA's legal entitlement vs implementation gaps; PMGKAY's pandemic response; critiques input subsidies vs investment in R&D; suggests extension strategies for natural farming adoption (Andhra Pradesh model); links sustainable production to nutritional outcomes through biofortification and crop diversification policies | Lists programmes without critical evaluation; mentions sustainability in generic terms; no explicit extension mechanism discussion; descriptive rather than analytical policy treatment | Outdated or incorrect programme names; no mention of recent initiatives (post-2014); purely populist description without critical assessment; missing sustainability-nutrition linkage |
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