Revisiting India’s Public Distribution System: Pathways to Food Security and Inclusive Growth: Challenges ahead

Abstract

This paper examines the role of India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) in advancing food security, poverty alleviation, and inclusive growth in a rapidly transforming economy. While India has achieved notable economic expansion, persistent challenges of hunger, malnutrition, and unequal access to resources highlight gaps in distributive mechanisms. Using secondary data from sources such as NFHS, World Bank, and policy reports, the study analyses trends in nutritional outcomes, subsidy patterns, and systemic efficiency. The findings suggest that the PDS has played a critical stabilizing role, particularly during economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by safeguarding vulnerable populations. However, issues of fiscal sustainability, targeting inefficiencies, and limited nutritional diversity constrain its effectiveness. The paper argues for a restructured, technology-driven and nutrition-sensitive PDS to strengthen its contribution to inclusive and sustainable development.