India’s Role in Global Undernourishment Reduction 2025

Recent reports show global undernourishment declining after a pandemic-driven rise. The United Nations’ 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World marks that 673 million people were undernourished in 2024, down from 688 million in 2023. India’s efforts have been very important in this progress. IASPOINT outlines key developments and challenges in India’s fight against hunger and malnutrition.

Global Undernourishment Trends

Global hunger is decreasing after worsening during COVID-19. The percentage of undernourished people fell from 8.4% in 2023 to 8.2% in 2024. Despite this, levels remain above pre-pandemic figures. This indicates a positive but cautious recovery in global food security.

India’s Decline in Undernourishment

India reduced undernourishment from 14.3% in 2020-22 to 12% in 2022-24. This represents 30 million fewer hungry people. The decline is given India’s large population and pandemic disruptions. Data comes from the National Sample Survey on household consumption.

Transformation of the Public Distribution System

India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) has been modernised using digital tools. Aadhaar-based targeting, biometric authentication, and electronic point-of-sale systems improved efficiency. The One Nation One Ration Card scheme made food entitlements portable nationwide. These innovations helped maintain food support for over 800 million people during the pandemic.

Shift from Calories to Nutrition

While calorie intake has improved, nutrition remains a challenge. Over 60% of Indians cannot afford a healthy diet. High prices of nutrient-rich foods, poor cold storage, and weak market links restrict access. Government schemes like PM POSHAN and Integrated Child Development Services now focus on dietary diversity and nutrition-sensitive interventions.

Rising Malnutrition and Obesity

Malnutrition, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies are increasing, especially in poor urban and rural areas. This paradox shows that ending hunger alone is insufficient. A broader approach addressing food quality and health outcomes is needed.

Need for Agrifood System Transformation

India must boost production and affordability of nutrient-dense foods such as pulses, fruits, vegetables, and animal products. Post-harvest losses, estimated at 13%, must be reduced through better cold storage and digital logistics. Supporting women-led enterprises and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can improve nutrition and livelihoods, especially with climate-resilient crops.

Leveraging Digital Technology

Digital platforms like AgriStack, e-NAM, and geospatial tools enhance agricultural planning and market access. These technologies also improve delivery of nutrition-sensitive programmes. India’s digital governance is a key strength in transforming its agrifood system.

India’s Global Contribution

India’s progress serves as a model for developing countries. Its innovations in digital governance and social protection contribute to global food security. India’s leadership is critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) by 2030.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically analyse the role of digital technology in transforming India’s Public Distribution System and its impact on food security.
2. Explain the challenges of malnutrition and obesity coexisting with undernourishment in India. What policy measures can address this paradox?
3. What are the structural issues in India’s agrifood system that affect food availability and affordability? How can strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) help?
4. With suitable examples, comment on the significance of India’s agrifood system transformation for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically analyse the role of digital technology in transforming India’s Public Distribution System and its impact on food security.

1. Digitalisation introduced Aadhaar-based targeting, biometric authentication, and ePoS systems, improving accuracy and reducing leakages.
2. One Nation One Ration Card enabled portability of food entitlements, benefiting internal migrants and vulnerable groups.
3. Real-time inventory tracking enhanced transparency and efficiency in food grain management.
4. These innovations allowed rapid scaling of food support during COVID-19, covering over 800 million people.
5. Digital tools strengthened governance and service delivery, making the PDS more inclusive and reliable.
6. Challenges remain in reaching all eligible beneficiaries and ensuring last-mile connectivity in remote areas.

2. Explain the challenges of malnutrition and obesity coexisting with undernourishment in India. What policy measures can address this paradox?

1. Malnutrition, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies coexist due to poor dietary diversity despite calorie sufficiency.
2. High prices of nutrient-dense foods limit access for over 60% of the population.
3. Poor cold chain infrastructure and inefficient market linkages restrict availability of fresh, nutritious foods.
4. Urbanization and lifestyle changes contribute to rising obesity alongside persistent undernutrition in rural areas.
5. Policy measures include nutrition-sensitive schemes like PM POSHAN focusing on dietary diversity and child nutrition.
6. Strengthening public health awareness, improving affordability of healthy diets, and enhancing food system resilience are essential.

3. What are the structural issues in India’s agrifood system that affect food availability and affordability? How can strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) help?

1. High post-harvest losses (~13%) due to inadequate cold storage and poor logistics reduce food availability.
2. Market inefficiencies and weak supply chains increase prices, limiting affordability of nutrient-rich foods.
3. Limited production focus on nutrient-dense crops like pulses, fruits, vegetables, and animal-sourced foods.
4. Women-led enterprises and local cooperatives often lack access to credit and technology.
5. FPOs can aggregate small farmers, improving bargaining power, market access, and adoption of climate-resilient crops.
6. Strengthened FPOs enable better infrastructure investment, reduce losses, and enhance livelihoods and nutrition outcomes.

4. With suitable examples, comment on the significance of India’s agrifood system transformation for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Transformation supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by reducing undernourishment via improved food security and nutrition.
2. Digital platforms like AgriStack and e-NAM enhance market access and agricultural planning, promoting sustainable agriculture (SDG 12).
3. Improved cold chains and reduced food loss contribute to responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and food availability.
4. Supporting women-led enterprises and FPOs promotes gender equality (SDG 5) and decent work (SDG 8).
5. India’s leadership and innovations provide a replicable model for other developing countries, contributing to global SDG progress.
6. Focus on nutrition-sensitive policies addresses health and well-being (SDG 3), ensuring long-term sustainable development.