Ration Card Income Limit Increased to ₹1.2 Lakh
Government raises income limit for ration card eligibility to ₹1.2 lakh.
Photo by Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County
Key Facts
Ration card income limit raised to ₹1.2 lakh
Aims to include more economically weaker sections
Ensures food security for a larger population
Benefits households struggling with rising costs
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
GS Paper III: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security.
Potential question types: Statement-based questions on PDS evolution, NFSA, One Nation One Ration Card, and income eligibility criteria.
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More Information
Background
The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India has its roots in the rationing system introduced during World War II in the 1940s. Initially, it was designed to ensure equitable distribution of essential commodities during times of scarcity. Post-independence, the PDS evolved into a crucial tool for poverty alleviation and food security.
The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was introduced in 1997, aiming to benefit the poor and vulnerable sections more effectively by providing subsidized food grains at different prices based on income levels. Over the years, the PDS has faced challenges related to leakages, inefficiencies, and inclusion/exclusion errors, leading to various reforms and technological interventions like digitization of ration cards and implementation of end-to-end computerization to improve its effectiveness and transparency.
Latest Developments
In recent years, the focus has been on strengthening the PDS through initiatives like the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013, which provides a legal framework for food security. The 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme, launched in 2019 and accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, allows beneficiaries to access subsidized food grains from any fair price shop across the country, enhancing portability and reducing dependence on a specific location.
The government has also been emphasizing the use of technology, such as Aadhaar seeding of ration cards and e-POS (electronic Point of Sale) devices, to improve transparency and reduce corruption. Future outlook includes further integration of technology, expansion of the 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme, and continuous review of income criteria for eligibility to ensure that the most vulnerable populations are included.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India: 1. The PDS was initially introduced during the Green Revolution to address food scarcity. 2. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) aims to provide subsidized food grains at uniform prices to all citizens. 3. The 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme facilitates access to subsidized food grains from any fair price shop across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect because PDS was introduced during World War II. Statement 2 is incorrect because TPDS provides subsidized food grains at different prices based on income levels. Statement 3 is correct as it describes the 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme.
2. With reference to the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.It provides a legal framework for food security in India.
- B.It aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the population.
- C.It mandates uniform income criteria for ration card eligibility across all states.
- D.It includes provisions for nutritional support to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Show Answer
Answer: C
NFSA does not mandate uniform income criteria for ration card eligibility across all states; states have the flexibility to determine their own criteria based on local conditions.
3. Assertion (A): Increasing the income limit for ration card eligibility is expected to improve food security for vulnerable populations. Reason (R): Higher income limits allow more families to access subsidized food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS). In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true, but R is false.
- D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why increasing the income limit improves food security.
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