Understanding the National Food Security Act (NFSA)

The question asks about the year in which the National Food Security Act (NFSA) was passed. This is an important piece of legislation in India aimed at providing subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of the country's population.

The National Food Security Act, 2013, was enacted to transform existing food security schemes into legal entitlements. This means that eligible beneficiaries have a legal right to receive food grains.

Key Information about the National Food Security Act, 2013

Here are some essential facts about the National Food Security Act:

• The Act was passed by the Parliament of India.
• It received presidential assent and was notified in the Gazette of India.
• The year it became an Act was 2013.
• The Act legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options in the context of the passing year of the National Food Security Act:

• 2011: The Act was not passed in 2011. Discussions and proposals were ongoing, but the final legislation was not enacted that year.
• 2013: This is the year the National Food Security Act became law. It was a landmark year for food security legislation in India.
• 2014: The Act was already in effect by 2014, being implemented across various states.
• 2012: Similar to 2011, 2012 saw progress towards the Act, but it wasn't the year it was officially passed.

Based on historical legislative records, the National Food Security Act was passed in 2013.

Therefore, the correct year for the passing of the National Food Security Act is 2013.

Revision Table: National Food Security Act

Additional Information on Food Security in India

Food security has been a significant policy focus in India. Before the National Food Security Act, the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was the primary mechanism for distributing subsidized food grains. The NFSA aimed to provide a legal basis for this entitlement, making food security a right rather than just a welfare program.

The Act also includes provisions for nutritional support to women and children, such as maternity benefits and meal programs (like the Integrated Child Development Services and Mid-Day Meal Scheme). It lays stress on reforms in the TPDS, including measures like end-to-end computerization, leveraging Aadhaar for beneficiary identification, and doorstep delivery of food grains.

Understanding the National Food Security Act's passing year and its core provisions is crucial for comprehending India's social welfare policies and their impact on large sections of the population.