Evolution and Transformation of the Public Distribution System in India: From Food Security to Rights-Based Entitlements

Abstract

This paper examines the historical evolution and policy transformation of India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), tracing its trajectory from a wartime rationing mechanism to a comprehensive rights-based framework under the National Food Security Act (2013). Using a qualitative and policy-oriented research methodology, the study analyses key phases including import dependence in the 1960s, Green Revolution-led self-sufficiency, targeting reforms in the 1990s, and recent technological and crisis-response developments. The findings highlight persistent challenges such as exclusion errors, regional disparities, and fiscal pressures despite significant expansion in coverage. The paper argues that a shift towards a more inclusive or quasi-universal approach may enhance effectiveness, particularly in high-poverty regions. It concludes by emphasizing the need to integrate food security with broader nutritional and developmental goals.