General Studies 2022 GS Paper III 10 marks 150 words Compulsory What

Q3

What are the major challenges of Public Distribution System (PDS) in India? How can it be made effective and transparent? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

भारत में सार्वजनिक वितरण प्रणाली (पी.डी.एस.) की प्रमुख चुनौतियाँ क्या हैं? इसे किस प्रकार प्रभावी तथा पारदर्शी बनाया जा सकता है? (150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

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Directive word: What

This question asks you to what. 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 'what' requires a factual enumeration of challenges followed by prescriptive measures for effectiveness and transparency. Structure as: brief context (1 sentence) → bullet/paragraph on challenges (leakages, exclusion errors, Aadhaar issues, quality concerns) → reforms (digitization, DBT, One Nation One Ration Card, GPS tracking) → forward-looking conclusion.

Key points expected

Identification of supply-side challenges: leakages/diversion (estimated 40%+ pre-reform), ghost beneficiaries, quantity fraud
Identification of demand-side challenges: exclusion errors (Aadhaar authentication failures), intra-household inequity, preference for cash over grain
Structural/administrative issues: storage inadequacy, FCI inefficiency, inter-state portability barriers, lack of grievance redressal
Reform measures: end-to-end computerization, Aadhaar seeding, DBT in kind/cash (pilot in Chandigarh/Puduchery), ONORC scheme 2019
Transparency mechanisms: GPS-enabled vehicles, e-PoS devices at FPS, social audits, real-time monitoring via ANNAPURNA portal
Analytical linkage: shift from welfare to rights-based (NFSA 2013) and technology as enabler with digital divide caveat

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Clearly bifurcates answer into 'challenges' and 'effectiveness/transparency measures' with balanced coverage; recognizes dual directive demands equal treatment	Addresses both parts but with lopsided weightage (e.g., 80% challenges, 20% reforms) or merges them confusingly	Misses one part entirely or conflates challenges with solutions; treats as single descriptive question without structural separation
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Specific, accurate references: NFSA 2013 coverage, ONORC portability, e-PoS coverage (~5 lakh FPS), leakage reduction data (post-reform estimates); distinguishes between PDS, TPDS, and NFSA	Generic listing without specificity; mentions 'corruption' and 'computerization' without naming schemes or quantifying scale	Factually incorrect statements (e.g., PDS is Central subject, DBT fully implemented nationwide) or outdated pre-2013 understanding
Structure & flow	20%	2	Crisp 150-word discipline with clear visual separation (bullets/paragraphs); logical progression from problem to solution; no repetition	Paragraph form without clear demarcation; some repetition between challenges and solutions; slightly over/under word limit	Disorganized stream of consciousness; no discernible structure; grossly exceeds word limit or severely underwrites
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Cites specific evidence: Jharkhand Aadhaar exclusion deaths (2017), Chhattisgarh's CORE PDS success, Tamil Nadu's universal PDS model, or leakage reduction from 40% to ~10% in reform states	Vague references like 'some states' or 'recent reports' without naming; no quantitative anchoring	No examples whatsoever; purely theoretical treatment or irrelevant international comparisons without Indian application
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Forward-looking synthesis: acknowledges technology limits (digital divide, rural connectivity), suggests NFSA-Nutrition convergence, or posits PDS as shock absorber (COVID-19 lessons)	Generic summary restating points; platitude like 'government should work hard' without analytical insight	No conclusion; abrupt ending; or conclusion introducing entirely new unsubstantiated claims

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