Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on the topic “Food Security in India: Challenges and Opportunities” for the Civil Services Examination.
1. Which Indian act provides the legal framework for food security in India?
A. National Food Security Act, 2013
B. Food Security Act, 2000
C. Food and Nutrition Act, 2005
D. National Nutrition Security Act, 2010
Answer: A
2. The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to provide:
A. Free food to all citizens
B. Subsidized food to below-poverty-line families
C. Food security only in rural areas
D. Free healthcare for the poor
Answer: B
3. Which of the following schemes is part of the National Food Security Act?
A. Midday Meal Scheme
B. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
C. Swachh Bharat Mission
D. Ujjwala Yojana
Answer: A
4. The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India is primarily managed by:
A. Central Government
B. State Governments
C. Private Corporations
D. Non-Governmental Organizations
Answer: B
5. Which of the following is a major challenge to food security in India?
A. Overproduction of crops
B. Poor infrastructure and logistics
C. Excessive foreign aid
D. High levels of food imports
Answer: B
6. The Green Revolution in India was primarily focused on:
A. Improving agricultural technology and productivity
B. Promoting organic farming
C. Reducing food wastage
D. Increasing food exports
Answer: A
7. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme focuses on:
A. Providing food and nutrition to children under 6 years and pregnant women
B. Promoting large-scale industrial agriculture
C. Ensuring food security in urban areas
D. Developing agricultural infrastructure
Answer: A
8. Which Indian state launched the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to support food security through employment generation?
A. Punjab
B. Gujarat
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Bihar
Answer: D
9. The National Agricultural Policy, 2000 emphasized which of the following aspects to improve food security?
A. Increasing food imports
B. Enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability
C. Privatizing agricultural land
D. Promoting urban farming
Answer: B
10. Which of the following programs is aimed at reducing malnutrition among children in India?
A. National Rural Health Mission
B. National Nutrition Mission
C. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
D. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana
Answer: B
11. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was introduced to:
A. Provide free healthcare
B. Ensure food security during the COVID-19 pandemic
C. Promote agricultural exports
D. Support urban infrastructure
Answer: B
12. Which of the following is NOT a challenge faced by the Indian Public Distribution System (PDS)?
A. Leakage and pilferage of food grains
B. Inefficiency in targeting beneficiaries
C. High level of transparency
D. Inadequate infrastructure for storage and transportation
Answer: C
13. Which initiative aims to promote organic farming and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers in India?
A. Soil Health Management (SHM)
B. Green Revolution
C. National Food Security Mission
D. National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
Answer: A
14. The Food Security Index in India is used to measure:
A. The economic growth of the country
B. The overall food security status and access to food
C. The level of food exports
D. The quality of agricultural education
Answer: B
15. Which international organization provides support to India’s food security programs?
A. World Bank
B. International Monetary Fund
C. United Nations Development Programme
D. World Health Organization
Answer: A
16. Which program aims to provide subsidized food grains to the poor in India?
A. Midday Meal Scheme
B. Antyodaya Anna Yojana
C. National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
D. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
Answer: B
17. Which of the following strategies is essential for achieving sustainable food security in India?
A. Increasing the use of genetically modified crops
B. Enhancing agricultural productivity while conserving natural resources
C. Promoting food imports
D. Reducing government subsidies
Answer: B
18. The National Food Security Mission focuses on the production of which crops?
A. Wheat, Rice, Pulses, and Coarse Cereals
B. Sugarcane and Cotton
C. Fruits and Vegetables
D. Tea and Coffee
Answer: A
19. Which Indian program focuses on improving the food and nutrition status of children and pregnant women in rural areas?
A. Midday Meal Scheme
B. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
C. National Rural Health Mission
D. National Food Security Act
Answer: B
20. The Right to Food Campaign in India advocates for:
A. Reducing food subsidies
B. Ensuring legal entitlement to adequate food for all
C. Increasing food imports
D. Privatizing food distribution
Answer: B
21. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) is now known as:
A. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
B. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
C. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana
D. Swachh Bharat Mission
Answer: A
22. The National Agriculture Market (eNAM) platform aims to:
A. Facilitate online trading of agricultural produce
B. Promote agricultural subsidies
C. Provide free seeds to farmers
D. Regulate food prices
Answer: A
23. Which scheme aims to improve the nutritional status of school children by providing free meals?
A. National Food Security Mission
B. Midday Meal Scheme
C. Integrated Child Development Services
D. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
Answer: B
24. The Food Security Act provides for the provision of how many kilograms of food grains per month per person at subsidized rates?
A. 5 kg
B. 10 kg
C. 25 kg
D. 35 kg
Answer: D
25. Which of the following is a significant opportunity for improving food security in India?
A. Expanding urban agriculture
B. Promoting monoculture farming
C. Increasing land acquisition for industry
D. Reducing agricultural research funding
Answer: A
26. Which Indian state has implemented a unique food security scheme called Anna Bhagya Yojana?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Karnataka
C. Maharashtra
D. Punjab
Answer: B
27. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) aims to:
A. Provide health insurance to farmers
B. Offer crop insurance to protect farmers from losses
C. Promote organic farming
D. Support agro-processing industries
Answer: B
28. Which organization conducts the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), which includes data on school meal programs?
A. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
B. Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
C. Pratham Education Foundation
D. Ministry of Education
Answer: C
29. Which of the following is a major policy framework for enhancing food security in India?
A. National Policy on Farmers
B. National Food Security Mission
C. National Biodiversity Action Plan
D. National Skill Development Mission
Answer: B
30. The Soil Health Management (SHM) scheme aims to:
A. Improve soil health through organic farming practices
B. Increase soil erosion for better crop yields
C. Promote the use of chemical fertilizers
D. Restrict the use of irrigation
Answer: A
These MCQs cover various aspects of food security in India, including policies, challenges, opportunities, and specific programs related to food security and nutrition.
