Food Security and Hunger, Satellite Spectrum Allocation, India-UAE Trade Concerns Under Free Trade Agreement

(General Studies II – Governance Section – Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.)

• Food security refers to the availability of food and individuals’ access to it. A nation achieves food security when all its people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for a healthy and active life.
• India, despite being the largest producer of food grains, ranked 105th out of 121 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), highlighting the persistent struggle to ensure sufficient and nutritious food access for its population.

Reasons for Hunger in India –

Despite significant agricultural output, several reasons contribute to hunger and malnutrition in India, compounded by global economic and environmental organisation.

1. Poverty and Economic Inequality: According to the World Bank, 10% of India’s population lived on less than $1.90 a day as of 2019. Poverty severely limits people’s ability to access nutritious food.
2. High Cost of Nutritious Food: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that the cost of a healthy diet in India averages around $4.20 per person per day, making it unaffordable for a large section of the population.
   • A study published in The Lancet shows that the cost of an ideal nutritious diet in South Asia can consume up to 60% of an average household’s daily income.
3. Lack of Agricultural Resilience: According to the World Bank, 58% of India’s population relies on agriculture, but many regions remain vulnerable to climate shocks like droughts and floods. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reports an increase in extreme weather events, which disrupts crop yields.
4. Food Distribution Inefficiencies: The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) found that despite sufficient food production, inefficiencies in distribution lead to localized shortages, with over 50% of households in rural areas unable to access subsidized grains regularly.
5. Malnutrition and Lack of Dietary Diversity: The NFHS-5 (2019-2021) indicates that 35.5% of children under five in India are stunted, and 19.3% suffer from wasting due to insufficient nutrition.
6. Gender Disparities: The Global Gender Gap Report (2024) ranks India 129th out of 146 countries in gender equality. Women and girls often face unequal food distribution within households, exacerbating their nutritional deficits.
7. Unemployment and Livelihood Disruptions: The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) reports that India’s unemployment rate was 7.8% in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the job crisis, particularly in the informal sector, which constitutes around 90% of India’s workforce.

Issues with the Global Hunger Index –

While the Global Hunger Index provides an important perspective on global food security, several criticisms have been raised regarding its methodology, particularly in relation to India.

1. Overemphasis on Child Malnutrition: The GHI heavily focuses on child malnutrition and mortality rates, which, although critical, do not provide a holistic view of hunger across all age groups. This narrows the index’s ability to measure overall food insecurity.
2. Inclusion of Child Mortality as a Proxy for Hunger: The index includes child mortality rates, which, while influenced by malnutrition, also depend on ors like healthcare and sanitation. Thus, using child mortality as a direct indicator of hunger can misrepresent the actual food security status.
3. Data Limitations: The GHI often uses outdated or incomplete data, particularly from countries like India, where recent efforts to improve food security may not yet be reflected in global statistics. As a result, India’s current progress may be understated.

Steps Taken and Progress Over the Last Decade – India has implemented several key policies and programs over the past decade to combat hunger and malnutrition:

1. Public Distribution System (PDS): The PDS has expanded its coverage, providing subsidized food grains to approximately 800 million people. However, inefficiencies still need to be addressed.
2. National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013: The NFSA legally guarantees access to food for about two-thirds of India’s population, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to affordable grains.
3. Mid-Day Meal Scheme: This program provides free meals to schoolchildren, helping to reduce hunger and improve nutritional intake in vulnerable age groups.
4. POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission): Launched in 2018, this mission aims to reduce malnutrition by promoting proper nutrition and focusing on pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under six.
5. Thalinomics: Studies like “Thalinomics” by the Ministry of Finance assess the affordability of a balanced meal (thali) across states, indicating progress in making nutrition affordable, though gaps remain.

Solutions to Overcome Hunger –

To address hunger effectively, India must focus on a multifaceted approach:

1. Enhancing Agricultural Resilience: Strengthening agriculture through climate-resilient crops and improving post-harvest storage can help ensure consistent food availability.
2. Improving Food Distribution: Reforming the PDS, minimizing leakages, and expanding coverage will ensure more equitable access to food.
3. Promoting Affordable Healthy Diets: Subsidizing nutritious foods like pulses, vegetables, and proteins can make healthy diets accessible to low-income households.
4. Reducing Food Waste: Setting up food banks and establishing mechanisms to redistribute surplus food can help reduce food wastage and feed the hungry.
5. Strengthening Social Safety Nets: Expanding programs like MGNREGA to guarantee income for the rural poor can improve their purchasing power and access to food.

Ensuring every citizen’s right to food is not only a constitutional mandate under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, but also a humanitarian duty. As a food-sufficient nation, India must ensure that its food security mechanisms reach the most vulnerable, making hunger-free living a reality for all its citizens. Addressing hunger comprehensively and inclusively will not only fulfil India’s international obligations but also ensure the dignity and well-being of its people.

• The Centre announced the establishment of three Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) focused on healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities.
• These CoEs aim to foster innovation, employment, and economic growth by collaborating with industries and startups.
• Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in AI:
• Healthcare CoE: Led by AIIMS and IIT-Delhi.
• Agriculture CoE: Led by IIT-Ropar.
• Sustainable Cities CoE: Led by IIT-Kanpur.
• The Union Budget allocated ₹990 crore for these AI CoEs over 2023-2028.
• An apex committee co-chaired by industry leader Sridhar Vembu will oversee the project’s implementation.
• They will be solution providers in their respective fields and promote job creation and wealth generation.
• The CoEs will foster multidisciplinary research and collaborations to achieve optimal outcomes.
• These projects are expected to boost the startup ecosystem, nurture talent, and generate new opportunities.
• The AI CoEs are expected to benefit villages, cities, and the healthcare system, promoting holistic development and innovation.

Dig Deeper: Read about AI Agents.

• The debate over satellite spectrum allocation resurfaced as Reliance Jio urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to auction airwaves for satellite internet services, including SpaceX’s Starlink.
• This sparked opposition from global satellite companies.
• Reliance Jio advocated for auctioning satellite spectrum, similar to how cellular spectrum is allocated, citing the Supreme Court’s 2012 2G spectrum ruling as a basis.
• On the contrary, Satellite companies argue that satellite spectrum is shared among operators and not scarce, unlike cellular spectrum, making auctions unnecessary.
• The Telecommunications Act, of 2023, mandates that satellite spectrum allocation will be done administratively.
• TRAI will determine the cost, emphasizing that India’s approach aligns with global practices and that shared spectrum cannot be priced individually.
• The government indicated it is not considering auctions, aligning with international norms, as satellite spectrum is shared beyond 7–8 GHz and difficult to price for individual use.

Dig Deeper: Read about the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

• India has raised concerns over the surge in imports of silver products, platinum alloy, and dry dates from the UAE under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), urging compliance with rules of origin norms to prevent circumvention.
• India has requested a review of certain FTA provisions due to the import surge.
• The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $83.65 billion in 2023-24.
• India’s imports of gold and silver from the UAE jumped 210%, reaching $10.7 billion in 2023-24.
• India allows tariff concessions on imports of silver and a 1% concession on 160 metric tonnes of gold under the FTA.
• India requested that the Indian Jewellery Exposition Centre in Dubai be categorized as a Designated Zone for concessional duties to benefit domestic manufacturers.
• India highlighted the need for mutual recognition agreements for professionals like accountants, lawyers, and nurses to provide services without additional certification.
• The UAE agreed to examine India’s concerns and requests, including consultations with its internal stakeholders.

Dig Deeper: Read about India-UAE bilateral relations.

• Global warming is raising sea levels and increasing flooding, affecting the growth of coastal tree species.
• While previous research suggested these factors negatively impact tree growth, a new study finds intriguing insights.
• Rising sea levels and coastal flooding can enhance resilience in some coastal trees but harm others. Species like the American holly showed improved growth in response to more water, while loblolly and pitch pine trees suffered.
• Factors Affecting Tree Growth:
• Temperature
• Rainfall
• Soil health
• Proximity to water.
• Coastal trees are moving inland due to rising sea levels, but they face new challenges in these environments.

Dig Deeper: Read about the most common mangrove species in India.

• Seventy-nine years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Nihon Hidankyo, an organization advocating for the survivors (hibakusha) and the abolition of nuclear weapons, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
• This recognition highlights the need for continued discourse on nuclear disarmament.
• The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 resulted in 1.5 lakh deaths, with many more suffering from radiation exposure.
• Hidankyo, formed to support the hibakusha (survivors), has consistently advocated for medical aid, welfare benefits, and the abolition of nuclear weapons.
• Hindankyo’s activism has shifted political discourse in Japan towards pacifism, which is reflected in Japan’s post-war constitution.
• Despite such activism, nuclear states continue to maintain and deploy weapons, with examples like Russia’s threats in the Ukraine conflict and Israel’s covert nuclear arsenal contributing to regional instability.
• Nuclear non-proliferation mechanisms are undermined by geopolitics, and serious disarmament efforts remain lacking.

Dig Deeper: Read about the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty.