UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 56
With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements :
- The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
- The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a 'take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: The National Food Security Act identifies priority and Antyodaya households beyond the old BPL-only category, puts an adult eldest woman at the head of the ration-card household, and provides pregnancy/nursing nutrition and maternity benefits, not the cited 1,600-kcal take-home entitlement.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Incorrect - Coverage is for identified eligible households under NFSA, not only those labelled BPL.
Statement/Item 2: Correct - The eldest woman aged 18 or older is the head of the household for ration-card issue under NFSA.
Statement/Item 3: Incorrect - NFSA provides prescribed meals/nutrition and maternity benefits, not an across-the-board 1,600 calories/day take-home ration for this period.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 1.
B: Correct - includes all and only the true statements/items.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/items 1, 3; omits correct statement/item 2.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 3; omits correct statement/item 2.