Hungry India

The Statesman

1. Introduction and Context

This editorial examines India’s persistent crisis of hunger, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiency, despite being one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Using trends from the Global Hunger Index (GHI) and national nutrition data, the author highlights a paradox: economic expansion has not translated into nutritional well-being for millions.

The piece argues that India’s chronic hunger problem reflects deep structural flaws in governance, food systems, poverty, gender inequality, and public health, making it a crucial topic for UPSC aspirants.

2. Key Arguments Presented

a. India performs poorly on hunger indicators despite economic progress

Key GHI insights cited:

• Rank: 107th (2022) → 111th (2023) → 123rd (2025)
• India remains in the “Serious Hunger” category
• 18.7% child wasting — among the world’s highest
• High burden of stunting and underweight children

The author argues this reflects a systemic failure in ensuring basic nutritional security.

b. Hidden hunger: micronutrient deficiencies remain high

“Hidden hunger” persists despite adequate calories due to:

• Poor diet diversity
• Cereal-heavy consumption patterns
• Low intake of fruits, vegetables, pulses, proteins
• Anemia among women (over 57%)
• Poor maternal nutrition

This creates intergenerational malnutrition.

c. Poverty, gender inequality, and maternal health drive malnutrition

Key drivers:

• Poverty limits access to quality food
• Girls and women eat last in many households
• Anaemic mothers → low-birth-weight babies → lifelong disadvantages
• Social norms restrict women’s agency over food and healthcare

Nutrition is thus deeply gendered and cyclical.

d. Agriculture and food systems worsen nutrition outcomes

The article highlights structural issues:

• Climate change impacting yields
• Monocropping (rice–wheat system) reducing diversity
• Pulses, vegetables, fruits becoming costlier
• Market systems prioritizing profit over nutrition
• Low public investment in nutrition-rich crops

The author stresses shifting towards nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

e. Policy gaps and weak implementation

Despite flagship schemes like ICDS, PDS, MDM, and POSHAN Abhiyaan, problems persist due to:

• Weak implementation
• Leakages in supply chains
• Staff shortages
• Poor last-mile delivery
• Inadequate monitoring

Thus, policy intent ≠ outcomes.

3. Author’s Stance

The stance is strongly critical, rights-based, and advocacy-driven:

• Hunger is a governance failure, not just a health issue
• Rejecting GHI rankings does not solve the ground reality
• India’s progress narrative is incompatible with its nutrition crisis

Tone: impassioned, diagnostic, and reform-oriented.

4. Bias and Limitations

Bias

• Overly critical of government performance
• Heavy reliance on GHI, without examining methodology concerns
• Limited acknowledgment of positive reforms (fortified rice, PMGKAY, sanitation improvements)

Limitations

• Does not discuss improvements in maternal health in high-performing states
• Ignores recent reductions in multidimensional poverty
• No granular analysis of regional variation
• Limited focus on urban malnutrition (which is rising)

5. Pros and Cons of the Argument

Pros

• Strong emphasis on systemic malnutrition
• Highlights gendered dimensions of hunger
• Connects agriculture with nutrition
• Underscores intergenerational effects

Cons

• Overdependence on GHI rankings
• Does not analyse success stories (Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh)
• Oversimplifies complex nutrition transition
• Limited concrete policy prescriptions

6. Policy Implications

a. Strengthen ICDS, PDS, and POSHAN Abhiyaan

• Universal hot cooked meals
• Fortified staples (iron, folic acid, Vitamin A)
• Early childhood interventions
• Stronger monitoring and accountability

b. Promote diversified agriculture

• Incentives for pulses, millets, vegetables, fruits
• Kitchen gardens, community nutrition farms
• Linking agriculture to nutrition outcomes

c. Focus on women’s nutrition

• Anemia reduction programs
• Maternity entitlements
• Behavioural change campaigns against gendered food distribution

d. Improve sanitation and healthcare

• WASH interventions
• Strengthening PHCs and maternal care
• Preventing diarrheal diseases that worsen malnutrition

e. Build climate-resilient food systems

• Drought-resistant crops
• Water conservation practices
• Micro-irrigation and soil health programs

7. Real-World Impact

If hunger remains unaddressed:

• Lower productivity
• Reduced learning outcomes
• Increased healthcare burden
• Loss of demographic dividend
• Worsening poverty

If reforms strengthen nutrition delivery:

• Healthier mothers and children
• Better cognitive development
• Skilled workforce
• Increased economic productivity
• Improved HDI rank

8. Alignment with UPSC GS Papers

GS Paper I

• Poverty, hunger, inequality
• Social empowerment
• Vulnerable sections

GS Paper II

• Public distribution
• Social sector schemes
• Service delivery challenges

GS Paper III

• Food security
• Agriculture–nutrition linkages
• Climate impact on production

GS Paper IV

• Ethics: justice, equity, state responsibility

Essay

Highly relevant for themes like:

• Hunger as a moral and developmental crisis
• Human development
• Agriculture and food systems

9. Conclusion and Future Perspectives

The editorial underscores a stark reality: India’s economic growth has not eliminated hunger, and the country faces a long battle against malnutrition. The author argues for a paradigm shift from calorie-centric to nutrition-sensitive governance.

A balanced future approach must include:

• Strong institutions
• Community participation
• Diversified food systems
• Women-centric nutrition policies
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Better monitoring and evaluation

India’s hunger crisis is not simply a lack of food—it is a multidimensional development challenge requiring coordinated action across health, agriculture, gender, poverty eradication, and governance.