GS Paper III · Agriculture
PDS & Food Security Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper III)
From the syllabus: Major crops and cropping patterns, irrigation, storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce; farm subsidies and MSP; PDS, buffer stocks and food security; economics of animal-rearing; food processing; land reforms; e-technology for farmers
Why it matters: Examiners frequently focus on how public distribution systems and buffer stock management balance fiscal costs with nutritional security for vulnerable populations across the country.
In the news
October 2026
05 Oct 2026
India Engages Russia and Ukraine on Food Security and Maritime SafetyExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed ongoing discussions with both Moscow and Kyiv to support agreements on grain supply chains and Black Sea maritime navigation safety. Addressing global strategic dynamics, he advocated...
September 2026
21 Sep 2026
Strengthening Food Safety and Phytosanitary StandardsRising concerns over food adulteration and agricultural rejection rates emphasize the need for robust quality control mechanisms in India. The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) has highlighted key issues in phytosanitary...
20 Sep 2026
Food Safety Experts Call for Risk-Based Framework in IndiaFood safety scientists have highlighted the need for India to move away from reactive market-level testing toward a preventive risk-based management framework. Current enforcement relies heavily on sporadic shop-level inspections,...
18 Sep 2026
Evaluation of India's E20 Biofuel Blend ExpansionA recent review of India's 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) rollout indicates that while the policy reduces raw crude imports, lower vehicle mileage has led to higher net fuel expenditure for consumers. Experts highlighted the need to...
17 Sep 2026
Analysis highlights hidden costs and trade-offs of India's E20 fuel pushA recent economic assessment of India's 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) push revealed that a drop in vehicle mileage offset consumer savings, costing vehicle owners additional money over three years. The report highlighted that...
August 2026
26 Aug 2026
Debate brews over ethanol blending targets and sugar price fluctuationsEx-mill sugar prices dropped 18 percent to 55 rupees per kilogram following government measures including import adjustments and strict anti-hoarding controls. Simultaneously, policy debates have surfaced regarding whether diversion of...
22 Aug 2026
Sustainability and Economic Impact of India's E20 Ethanol Blending DriveIndia's E20 initiative, targeting 20 percent ethanol blending with petrol, has reportedly saved around 2 lakh crore rupees in foreign exchange according to official disclosures. However, debate has intensified regarding its potential...
21 Aug 2026
ICAR-NRCB Releases Biofortified Banana VarietiesThe ICAR National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) has introduced two new banana varieties named Kaveri Thangam and Kaveri Nadan. Kaveri Thangam offers nearly ten times higher vitamin A content than conventional banana varieties,...
21 Aug 2026
Centre Permits Duty-Free Raw Sugar Imports to Stabilize PricesThe Union Government has allowed duty-free imports of up to 10 lakh tonnes of raw sugar until October 31 to stabilize domestic retail prices and prevent supply shortfalls. Additionally, the government imposed strict stockholding limits...
July 2026
24 Jul 2026
Parliamentary Panel Urges FSSAI to Finalise Nutrition LabellingA Parliamentary Panel has expressed dismay over the prolonged delay in finalising the Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) norms by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Despite draft regulations being notified...
20 Jul 2026
Ethanol Blending Mandate Faces Agricultural and Ecological ChallengesWhile India's E20 (20 percent ethanol blended petrol) mandate aims to reduce carbon emissions and crude imports, its heavy reliance on water-intensive sugarcane is raising ecological alarms. Experts warn that diverting fertile land and...
17 Jul 2026
Cabinet clears ₹1.27 lakh crore for Semicon Mission 2.0The Union Cabinet has approved a massive outlay of ₹1.27 lakh crore for the second phase of the Semiconductor Mission. This funding aims to boost mobile manufacturing, establish new highways, and set up nine gas-based urea plants with a...
14 Jul 2026
Policy Challenges in India's Ethanol Blending ProgramIndia's push for E20 (20 percent ethanol-blended) fuel is facing scrutiny over its impact on automobile engines, consumer choice, and food security. While the policy aims to curb crude oil imports and reduce vehicle emissions, experts...
12 Jul 2026
FSSAI Issues Notice to Quick Commerce PlatformThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued show-cause notices to Swiggy Instamart following complaints of delivering expired and spoiled food items. The regulator highlighted concerns regarding storage...
11 Jul 2026
FSSAI Issues Notices to Swiggy Instamart Over Food SafetyThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued nine notices to Swiggy Instamart following complaints from consumers regarding serious food safety violations on the quick-commerce platform. The action highlights...
08 Jul 2026
Southern States Oppose Proposed Changes to Food Security LawTamil Nadu and Kerala have voiced strong concerns over proposed amendments to the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The states argue that the new allocation models and restructured urban-to-rural coverage ratios could unfairly reduce...
Practise PDS & Food Security
5 of our latest questions on this topic.
Question 1 of 5
Consider the following statements regarding the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): 1. It is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 2. Its administrative control lies under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.