What is The Public Distribution System? – NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 4 Notes & PDF
Topic covered: What is The Public 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 “What is The Public 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.
What is The Public Distribution System?
1. Public Distribution System (PDS) – Definition:
- Food procured by FCI (Food Corporation of India) is distributed through ration shops.
- This system is called the Public Distribution System (PDS).
2. Ration Shops (Fair Price Shops):
- Located in villages, towns, and cities across India.
- About 5.5 lakh ration shops in the country.
- Items available: foodgrains, sugar, kerosene.
- Sold at a price lower than the market price.
- Families with ration cards can buy a fixed quantity monthly (e.g., 35 kg grains, 5 litres kerosene, 5 kg sugar).
3. Types of Ration Cards:
- Antyodaya Cards – for the poorest of the poor.
- BPL Cards – for families below poverty line.
- APL Cards – for families above poverty line.
4. Historical Background of PDS:
- Introduced in 1940s during the Bengal famine.
- Revived in 1960s due to acute food shortage, before the Green Revolution.
5. Food Intervention Programmes (1970s):
- Public Distribution System (PDS) – strengthened further.
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) – started in 1975 (experimental basis).
- Food-for-Work (FFW) – started in 1977–78.
6. Poverty Alleviation Programmes (PAPs):
- Many PAPs launched in rural areas with a food security component.
- Some programmes (like PDS, mid-day meals) are direct food security programmes.
- Employment programmes also enhance food security by raising income of the poor.
7. National Food Security Act, 2013:
- Provides food and nutritional security at affordable prices.
- Covers 75% of rural population and 50% of urban population as eligible households.
- Aims to ensure food security and dignity of life.
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Economics Class 9 Chapter 4: Food Security in India
MCQs on NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 4 Topic – What is The Public Distribution System?
Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “What is The Public Distribution System?” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:
Question 1. The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India distributes food procured by:
a) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
b) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
c) Food Corporation of India (FCI)
d) Ministry of External Affairs
Answer: c) Food Corporation of India (FCI)
Question 2. Through which outlets is food distributed under the PDS?
a) Shopping malls
b) Cooperative banks
c) Ration shops/Fair Price Shops
d) Supermarkets
Answer: c) Ration shops/Fair Price Shops
Question 3. Approximately how many ration shops are there in India?
a) 1.5 lakh
b) 3.5 lakh
c) 5.5 lakh
d) 7.5 lakh
Answer: c) 5.5 lakh
Question 4. Which of the following items are commonly available at ration shops?
a) Pulses, vegetables, cooking oil
b) Foodgrains, sugar, kerosene
c) Fruits, milk, bread
d) Tea, coffee, biscuits
Answer: b) Foodgrains, sugar, kerosene
Question 5. At what kind of price are items sold through ration shops?
a) Higher than market price
b) Lower than market price
c) Equal to market price
d) Export price
Answer: b) Lower than market price
Question 6. A ration card allows a family to purchase how much foodgrains per month (as given in the content)?
a) 25 kg
b) 35 kg
c) 50 kg
d) 15 kg
Answer: b) 35 kg
Question 7. Which type of ration card is issued to the poorest of the poor?
a) APL card
b) BPL card
c) Antyodaya card
d) White card
Answer: c) Antyodaya card
Question 8. Which type of ration card is given to households below poverty line?
a) Antyodaya card
b) BPL card
c) APL card
d) Special ration card
Answer: b) BPL card
Question 9. Which type of ration card is given to families above poverty line?
a) Antyodaya card
b) APL card
c) Priority card
d) None of these
Answer: b) APL card
Question 10. The rationing system in India was introduced in which decade?
a) 1930s
b) 1940s
c) 1950s
d) 1960s
Answer: b) 1940s
Question 11. Against which backdrop was rationing first introduced in India?
a) Green Revolution
b) Bengal famine
c) Industrial Revolution
d) Covid-19 pandemic
Answer: b) Bengal famine
Question 12. In which decade was the rationing system revived due to acute food shortage?
a) 1950s
b) 1960s
c) 1970s
d) 1980s
Answer: b) 1960s
Question 13. Which report in the mid-1970s highlighted high poverty levels in India?
a) CAG report
b) NSSO report
c) RBI report
d) Census report
Answer: b) NSSO report
Question 14. Which programme was introduced in 1975 on an experimental basis?
a) Food-for-Work (FFW)
b) Mid-Day Meal Scheme
c) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
d) National Food Security Act
Answer: c) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Question 15. In which year was the Food-for-Work (FFW) programme introduced?
a) 1975
b) 1976
c) 1977–78
d) 1980
Answer: c) 1977–78
Question 16. Which of the following is exclusively a food security programme?
a) Employment Guarantee Programme
b) Mid-Day Meals
c) Rural Housing Scheme
d) Self-Employment Programme
Answer: b) Mid-Day Meals
Question 17. How do employment programmes contribute to food security?
a) By distributing free meals
b) By providing cooking facilities
c) By increasing income of the poor
d) By supplying ration cards
Answer: c) By increasing income of the poor
Question 18. Which Act provides food and nutritional security to people at affordable prices?
a) National Food Act, 2005
b) Public Distribution Act, 2010
c) National Food Security Act, 2013
d) Food and Agriculture Act, 2015
Answer: c) National Food Security Act, 2013
Question 19. Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, what percentage of the rural population is eligible for food security?
a) 25%
b) 50%
c) 60%
d) 75%
Answer: d) 75%
Question 20. Under the same Act, what percentage of the urban population is eligible for food security?
a) 25%
b) 35%
c) 50%
d) 75%
Answer: c) 50%