National Food Security Act, 2013
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Current affairsGlobal Hunger Index 2026: India Ranks 100th, Remains in 'Serious' CategoryThe Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026, released on October 14, 2026, by Welthungerhilfe, the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), and Helvetas, ranked India 100th among 122 countries with a GHI score of 24.1 — still in the 'serious' category despite significant improvement from a score of 37 in 2006. The 2026 report's theme is "No Security Without Food Security." Current affairsNSAP Renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana: Cabinet Approves ₹53,428 Crore Social Assistance Extension for 2026–31The Union Cabinet on 14 October 2026 approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) under the new name Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY) with a ₹53,428 crore outlay for five years (FY2026–27 to FY2030–31). All four Indira Gandhi-branded sub-schemes were renamed with Pradhan Mantri prefix, and the disability pension eligibility threshold was reduced from 80% to 40%, extending coverage to approximately 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all states and UTs. Current affairsIndia's WPI Inflation Surges to 11.39% in September 2026: Fuel and Food Prices Drive Broad-Based Price PressureIndia's Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation rose sharply to 11.39% in September 2026 from 9.92% in August 2026, driven primarily by a 25.85% surge in fuel and power prices alongside elevated food and manufactured-goods inflation. The data, released by the Office of Economic Adviser under DPIIT on October 14, 2026, signals broad-based upstream price pressure with implications for monetary policy and cost-of-living trends. Current affairsCabinet Approves Rabi MSP 2027-28: Safflower Gets Highest Hike of ₹675/quintal, Wheat at ₹2,610The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all six mandated Rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season on September 30, 2026. Safflower received the highest absolute increase of ₹675/quintal, followed by mustard/rapeseed at ₹413/quintal. Wheat MSP was set at ₹2,610/quintal, up by ₹25. All MSPs are fixed at a minimum of 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production, as announced in Union Budget 2018-19. Current affairsUIDAI Aadhaar Samvaad 2026: Five New Initiatives Launched on 17th Aadhaar Day in KolkataThe Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) held its annual 'Aadhaar Samvaad' stakeholder conference in Kolkata on September 29, 2026, marking the 17th Aadhaar Day. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Jitin Prasada was the chief guest at the event, which saw over 600 stakeholders participate. Five new initiatives were unveiled: Face Authentication for the electronic Public Distribution System (ePDS), SWIK Portal 2.0, Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA LITE Framework, a New Token Management System, and a revamped UIDAI website. Current affairsEl Niño 2026 OND Forecast: India's Rabi Crops, Wheat, and Winter Agriculture at RiskThe World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) have confirmed that El Niño conditions are intensifying and forecast to peak during the October–December (OND) 2026 quarter, with sea surface temperature anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region reaching approximately +3.6°C. This raises significant risks for India's Rabi crop season — particularly wheat, chickpea, mustard, and lentils — through reduced winter rainfall in northwest India and above-normal temperatures. Current affairsGlobal Dryland Congress 2026 and Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D): Transforming Dryland AgricultureThe Global Dryland Congress 2026 concluded on September 12, 2026, at the NASC Complex, New Delhi, with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D). Co-organised by ICRISAT and ICAR on the UN Day for South-South Cooperation, the Congress brought together 800+ experts from global institutions and adopted a shared agenda to transform dryland agriculture through South-South collaboration. Current affairsIndia Lifts Wheat and Wheat-Flour Export Ban After 3+ Years: DGFT Notifications 34 and 35 of 2026-27The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued two notifications on 24 August 2026, moving wheat (durum and standard) and all major wheat-derived products (flour/atta, maida, semolina/rava, wholemeal atta, resultant atta) from "Prohibited" to "Free" export status with immediate effect. The ban had been in force since May 2022. India cites record domestic production and adequate buffer stocks as the rationale for lifting restrictions after over three years. Current affairsDelhi Lakshmi Yojana 2026: ₹2,500 Monthly Cash Transfer for Women and the Unconditional Cash Transfer Policy DebateThe Delhi Government approved the Lakshmi Yojana on 28 July 2026, providing ₹2,500 per month to women aged 21–60 from households with annual income up to ₹2.5 lakh. With a budget of ₹5,110 crore in 2026-27, the scheme is expected to benefit over 17 lakh women. It has reignited India's national debate on the fiscal sustainability, design, and empowerment effectiveness of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) schemes for women.
In previous-year questions
- India is the world's second-largest wheat producer. The National Food Security Act, 2013 mandates the central government to provide foodgrain at subsidised rates. What is the entitlement under NFSA for priority household beneficiaries?UPSC · Current Affairs
- With reference to the Rabi MSP 2027-28 approved on September 30, 2026, which of the following statements is correct about the wheat MSP?UPSC · Current Affairs
- At Aadhaar Samvaad 2026 (Kolkata, September 29), UIDAI launched Face Authentication for the electronic Public Distribution System (ePDS). Which specific problem does this initiative address?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Supreme Court of India in People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India (2001) read the right to food as part of which Fundamental Right, establishing the constitutional basis for food entitlement programmes like the National Food Security Act, 2013?UPSC · Current Affairs