UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Recalibration of Nutrition Intervention – Temporary Discontinuation of Rice Fortification

Q1. As per the FSSAI (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018, how many micronutrients are mandatorily added when rice is fortified?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Five
  • D. Six

Q2. With reference to fortification of rice in India, consider the following micronutrients: 1. Iron 2. Vitamin B12 3. Iodine 4. Vitamin D Which of the above is/are correctly identified as micronutrients mandatorily added to fortified rice under FSSAI norms?

  1. Iron
  2. Vitamin B12
  3. Iodine
  4. Vitamin D
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q3. In the phased national rollout of fortified rice, which one of the following was covered FIRST, i.e. in Phase-I (targeted for completion by March 2022)?

  • A. ICDS (Anganwadi) and PM POSHAN
  • B. TPDS and Other Welfare Schemes in aspirational and high-burden districts
  • C. The remaining districts under TPDS
  • D. All Fair Price Shops across every district

Q4. With reference to the 2026 decision on rice fortification, consider the following statements: 1. The decision to temporarily discontinue rice fortification was taken by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. 2. It pauses a continuation of free fortified rice that the Union Cabinet had, in October 2024, approved as a Central Sector initiative with 100% central funding up to December 2028. 3. The decision followed a shelf-life study by IIT Kharagpur, which concluded that packaging material and relative humidity have no significant bearing on the stability of fortified rice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The decision to temporarily discontinue rice fortification was taken by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
  2. It pauses a continuation of free fortified rice that the Union Cabinet had, in October 2024, approved as a Central Sector initiative with 100% central funding up to December 2028.
  3. The decision followed a shelf-life study by IIT Kharagpur, which concluded that packaging material and relative humidity have no significant bearing on the stability of fortified rice.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The IIT Kharagpur study cited for the pause in rice fortification identified certain variables as critically affecting the shelf life of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK). Consider the following: 1. Moisture content 2. Relative humidity 3. Packaging material 4. The soil type of the district where paddy was cultivated Which of the above is/are correctly identified as such variables?

  1. Moisture content
  2. Relative humidity
  3. Packaging material
  4. The soil type of the district where paddy was cultivated
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Which one of the following is the nodal department that operationalises the supply of fortified rice under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)?

  • A. Department of Consumer Affairs
  • B. Department of Food and Public Distribution
  • C. Department of Food Processing Industries
  • D. Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare

Q7. The Cabinet's October 2024 approval to continue the universal supply of free fortified rice up to December 2028 entails an estimated central outlay of approximately:

  • A. ₹4,270 crore
  • B. ₹11,000 crore
  • C. ₹17,082 crore
  • D. ₹35,000 crore

Q8. In the context of nutrition policy, the term 'hidden hunger' is best defined as:

  • A. Deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals despite adequate calorie/energy intake
  • B. Chronic shortage of calories leading to famine-like conditions
  • C. Seasonal food shortage in agrarian households during lean months
  • D. Protein-energy malnutrition caused primarily by inadequate protein intake

Q9. With reference to anaemia and micronutrient deficiency in India, consider the following statements: 1. As per NFHS-5 (2019-21), anaemia among women aged 15–49 years is about 57%. 2. As per NFHS-5, anaemia among children aged 6–59 months is about 67%. 3. Between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, the prevalence of anaemia among women declined. 4. Hidden hunger refers to deficiency of micronutrients. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. As per NFHS-5 (2019-21), anaemia among women aged 15–49 years is about 57%.
  2. As per NFHS-5, anaemia among children aged 6–59 months is about 67%.
  3. Between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, the prevalence of anaemia among women declined.
  4. Hidden hunger refers to deficiency of micronutrients.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. Consider the following pairs of staple food and the micronutrient(s) with which it is fortified under FSSAI standards: 1. Salt : Iodine and Iron 2. Edible oil : Vitamins A and D 3. Milk : Vitamins A and D 4. Wheat flour : Iodine Which of the pairs given above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Salt : Iodine and Iron
  2. Edible oil : Vitamins A and D
  3. Milk : Vitamins A and D
  4. Wheat flour : Iodine
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q11. Which one of the following is the statutory authority that lays down the standards for food fortification and owns the '+F' logo used on fortified foods in India?

  • A. Food Corporation of India (FCI)
  • B. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
  • C. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
  • D. Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD)