Current Status Of Public The Distribution System (PDS) – NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 4 Notes & PDF

Topics Covered

Topic covered: Current Status Of Public The Distribution System and MCQs Questions: Food Security in India (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 9th about the “Current Status Of Public The Distribution System“ from the NCERT Economics notes for class 9th chapter 4 Food Security in India.

Download the NCERT Economics for Class 9th Chapter 4 Food Security in India Notes PDF

Chapter 4: Food Security in India in Class 9 Economics highlights why access to food is essential for every citizen and how the government ensures it through systems like the Public Distribution System (PDS). The chapter also discusses the role of agriculture, buffer stocks, and rationing in preventing food shortages. Students often struggle to connect these policies with real-life examples, so these notes simplify the concepts in a straightforward way. Download the NCERT Economics for Class 9th Chapter 4 Food Security in India Notes PDF to quickly revise definitions, important terms, and exam-oriented points without feeling overwhelmed.

Current Status Of Public The Distribution System

1. Importance of PDS (Public The Distribution System):

PDS is the most important step by Government of India to ensure food security.
Initially, PDS coverage was universal (no discrimination between poor and non-poor).

2. Key Reforms in PDS:

(a) 1992 – RPDS

Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) introduced.
Implemented in 1,700 blocks of the country.
Aim: extend benefits of PDS to remote and backward areas.

(b) 1997 – TPDS:

Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) launched.
Adopted principle of targeting the poor in all areas.
Introduced differential price policy for poor and non-poor (first time).

(c) 2000 – AAY & APS:

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): aimed at poorest of the poor.
Annapurna Scheme (APS): targeted indigent senior citizens.
Both schemes linked with existing PDS network.

3. Effectiveness of PDS (Public The Distribution System):

Helped in stabilising food prices.
Supplied food from surplus to deficit regions.
Prevented widespread hunger and famine.
Prices revised in favour of poor households.

4. Support to Farmers:

MSP (Minimum Support Price) and procurement system encouraged foodgrain production.
Provided income security to farmers in certain regions.

5. Problems in PDS (Public The Distribution System):

FCI godowns overflowing with foodgrains.
Loss due to rotting grains and damage by rats.
Graph 4.2 shows mismatch between Central Pool stocks and stocking norms.

6. Buffer Stock Status (2022):

Central pool had 159 LMT of wheat and 104 LMT of rice.
Stocks were much higher than minimum buffer norms.
Distribution through government schemes helped improve the situation.

7. Issues with High Buffer Stocks:

High stocks are undesirable and wasteful.
Lead to high carrying costs, wastage, and deterioration in grain quality.
Freezing MSP for some years has been suggested to reduce procurement pressure.

8. Minimum Support Price (MSP) Impact:

Increased procurement at higher MSP due to pressure from Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh.
Concentrated in few prosperous regions: Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal.
Mainly focused on wheat and rice, causing diversion of land from coarse grains (staple food of the poor).
Intensive rice cultivation leads to environmental degradation and fall in water levels, threatening sustainable agriculture.
Rising MSP increases maintenance cost of foodgrain procurement, along with storage and transportation costs for FCI.

9. Decline in Per Capita Consumption:

Rural India rice consumption: 6.38 kg → 5.98 kg per person per month (2004-05 to 2011-12).
Urban India rice consumption: 4.71 kg → 4.49 kg per person per month.
PDS rice consumption: doubled in rural India, increased by 66% in urban India since 2004-05.
PDS wheat consumption: doubled in both rural and urban India.

10. Problems in PDS Implementation:

Malpractices by dealers:
- Diverting grains to open market.
- Selling poor-quality grains.
- Irregular opening of shops.
Unsold stock of poor-quality grains accumulates in FCI godowns.

11. Issues with TPDS and Ration Cards:

Earlier, every family had a ration card and fixed quota, sold at low price regardless of income.
Now, Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) has three types of cards:
- APL (Above Poverty Line) – gets little discount; price almost same as market.
- BPL (Below Poverty Line).
- Antyodaya – poorest of the poor.
Incentive to buy from ration shops has decreased for non-poor families.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Overview:

Launched in December 2000.
Targets poorest families among BPL households under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

2. Identification of Beneficiaries:

Poor families identified by state rural development departments through a BPL survey.
Initial coverage: 1 crore families.

3. Foodgrain Allocation and Subsidy:

Initially, 25 kg of foodgrains per eligible family.
Subsidised rate: ₹2 per kg for wheat, ₹3 per kg for rice.
Quantity increased to 35 kg per family from April 2002.

4. Expansion of the Scheme:

Expanded twice:
- June 2003 – additional 50 lakh families.
- August 2004 – additional 50 lakh families.
Total coverage after expansion: 2 crore BPL families.

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Economics Class 9 Chapter 4: Food Security in India

Topics No.	Topics Name
1	What is Food Security?
2	Why Food Security?
3	Who are Food-Insecure?
4	Food Security in India
5	What is Buffer Stock?
6	What is the Public Distribution System?
7	Current Status of Public the Distribution System
8	Role of Cooperatives in Food Security

MCQs on NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 4 Topic – Current Status Of Public The Distribution System

Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Current Status Of Public The Distribution System” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. Initially, the coverage of the PDS in India was:

a) Targeted only at poor families
b) Universal, with no discrimination between poor and non-poor
c) Limited to urban areas
d) Only in famine-affected regions

Answer: b) Universal, with no discrimination between poor and non-poor

Question 2. In 1992, which scheme was introduced to provide PDS benefits to remote and backward areas?

a) TPDS
b) RPDS
c) AAY
d) Annapurna Scheme

Answer: b) RPDS (Revamped Public Distribution System)

Question 3. From June 1997, which system was introduced to target the poor specifically?

a) RPDS
b) TPDS
c) APS
d) PDS

Answer: b) TPDS (Targeted Public Distribution System)

Question 4. Which two special schemes were launched in 2000 under the PDS network?

a) Mid-Day Meal and ICDS
b) Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Annapurna Scheme
c) Food-for-Work and TPDS
d) NFSA and FCI

Answer: b) Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Annapurna Scheme (APS)

Question 5. What is the main aim of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)?

a) To distribute food to all citizens equally
b) To adopt the principle of targeting the poor in all areas
c) To reduce food prices for everyone
d) To eliminate ration cards

Answer: b) To adopt the principle of targeting the poor in all areas

Question 6. The PDS has been effective in:

a) Increasing unemployment in rural areas
b) Stabilising prices and making food available at affordable prices
c) Reducing agricultural production
d) Eliminating the need for buffer stocks

Answer: b) Stabilising prices and making food available at affordable prices

Question 7. What problem arises due to FCI godowns being overflowing with grains?

a) Reduced food production
b) Wastage, deterioration, and rodents eating grains
c) Decline in MSP
d) Excessive export of grains

Answer: b) Wastage, deterioration, and rodents eating grains

Question 8. As per 2022, what was the stock of wheat and rice in the Central pool?

a) 159 LMT wheat and 104 LMT rice
b) 104 LMT wheat and 159 LMT rice
c) 100 LMT wheat and 100 LMT rice
d) 150 LMT wheat and 150 LMT rice

Answer: a) 159 LMT wheat and 104 LMT rice

Question 9. One negative effect of rising MSP and procurement concentrated in a few states is:

a) Diversion of land from wheat and rice
b) Increase in coarse grain production
c) Environmental degradation and fall in water level
d) Decrease in FCI storage

Answer: c) Environmental degradation and fall in water level

Question 10. What is the primary reason for high carrying costs of foodgrains in PDS?

a) Low MSP
b) Storage of massive food stocks, transportation, and rising MSP
c) Reduced procurement
d) Distribution to APL families

Answer: b) Storage of massive food stocks, transportation, and rising MSP

Question 11. Which state has NOT been mentioned as a major contributor to foodgrain procurement?

a) Punjab
b) Haryana
c) Andhra Pradesh
d) Kerala

Answer: d) Kerala

Question 12. According to NSSO report No. 558, per capita monthly consumption of rice in rural India declined from 2004-05 to 2011-12 by:

a) 6.38 kg to 5.98 kg
b) 5.98 kg to 6.38 kg
c) 4.71 kg to 4.49 kg
d) 5 kg to 4 kg

Answer: a) 6.38 kg to 5.98 kg

Question 13. Per capita consumption of PDS wheat since 2004-05 has:

a) Remained the same
b) Doubled in both rural and urban India
c) Declined in rural areas
d) Doubled only in urban India

Answer: b) Doubled in both rural and urban India

Question 14. Which of the following is a common malpractice by PDS dealers?

a) Selling grains at lower than issue price
b) Diverting grains to open market
c) Donating grains to NGOs
d) Providing free grains to schools

Answer: b) Diverting grains to open market

Question 15. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in:

a) 1997
b) 2000
c) 2002
d) 2005

Answer: b) 2000

Question 16. Under AAY, initially, how much foodgrain was supplied to each eligible family?

a) 10 kg
b) 25 kg
c) 35 kg
d) 50 kg

Answer: b) 25 kg

Question 17. Under AAY, the price of wheat and rice was:

a) ₹5 per kg wheat, ₹7 per kg rice
b) ₹2 per kg wheat, ₹3 per kg rice
c) ₹1 per kg wheat, ₹2 per kg rice
d) Free

Answer: b) ₹2 per kg wheat, ₹3 per kg rice

Question 18. The quantity of foodgrains under AAY was enhanced to 35 kg in which year?

a) 2000
b) 2002
c) 2003
d) 2004

Answer: b) 2002

Question 19. How many BPL families were covered under AAY after its expansion in 2003–04?

a) 1 crore
b) 2 crore
c) 1.5 crore
d) 3 crore

Answer: b) 2 crore

Question 20. One major environmental concern due to PDS-driven procurement is:

a) Decrease in wheat production
b) Intensive water use in rice cultivation
c) Decrease in farmer income
d) Reduction in urban consumption

Answer: b) Intensive water use in rice cultivation