UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government approves supply of improved-quality rice under PMGKAY; over 80 crore beneficiaries to receive better-quality rice

Question 1

Under the food security framework operationalised through PMGKAY, which one of the following categories represents the 'poorest of the poor' households entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month?

Accepted Answer

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households

Answer

Priority Households (PHH)

Answer

Above Poverty Line (APL) households

Answer

Annapurna scheme households

Question 2

The 2026 CCEA decision on rice distributed under PMGKAY is described as the first revision of PDS rice specifications in nearly three decades. Which single grain-quality parameter was the primary target of this revision?

Accepted Answer

Broken grain content

Answer

Moisture content

Answer

Foreign matter (stones and grit)

Answer

Damaged and discoloured grains

Question 3

In the context of the revised PMGKAY rice quality norms, the term 'parboiled rice' — for which the broken-grain limit was cut from 16% to 5% — is best defined as rice that has been:

Accepted Answer

Partially boiled in the husk before milling

Answer

Polished repeatedly to remove the entire bran layer

Answer

Artificially fortified with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12

Answer

Mechanically sorted to remove all broken kernels before packing

Question 4

Six States piloted the revised rice quality norms under PMGKAY. Which one of the following southern States was included among these pilot States?

Accepted Answer

Telangana

Answer

Karnataka

Answer

Tamil Nadu

Answer

Kerala

Question 5

The provision of subsidised foodgrains to eligible households as a justiciable legal entitlement (the 'right to food' framework underpinning PMGKAY) was established under which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

National Food Security Act, 2013

Answer

Essential Commodities Act, 1955

Answer

Food Corporations Act, 1964

Answer

Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2001

Question 6

Under the original 2020 PMGKAY, how much additional free foodgrain was provided per person per month, over and above the normal NFSA quota?

Accepted Answer

5 kg

Answer

3 kg

Answer

7 kg

Answer

10 kg

Question 7

Which one of the following is the nodal Union Ministry responsible for implementing PMGKAY, including the 2026 reform yielding an estimated ₹2,161 crore in annual savings?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

Answer

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Answer

Ministry of Rural Development

Answer

Ministry of Finance

Question 8

The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) reform, built on the computerised Targeted Public Distribution System, has been implemented across how many States/Union Territories?

Accepted Answer

36

Answer

28

Answer

32

Answer

30

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government approves supply of improved-quality rice under PMGKAY; over 80 crore beneficiaries to receive better-quality rice

Q1. Under the food security framework operationalised through PMGKAY, which one of the following categories represents the 'poorest of the poor' households entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month?

Q2. The 2026 CCEA decision on rice distributed under PMGKAY is described as the first revision of PDS rice specifications in nearly three decades. Which single grain-quality parameter was the primary target of this revision?

Q3. In the context of the revised PMGKAY rice quality norms, the term 'parboiled rice' — for which the broken-grain limit was cut from 16% to 5% — is best defined as rice that has been:

Q4. Six States piloted the revised rice quality norms under PMGKAY. Which one of the following southern States was included among these pilot States?

Q5. The provision of subsidised foodgrains to eligible households as a justiciable legal entitlement (the 'right to food' framework underpinning PMGKAY) was established under which one of the following?

Q6. Under the original 2020 PMGKAY, how much additional free foodgrain was provided per person per month, over and above the normal NFSA quota?

Q7. Which one of the following is the nodal Union Ministry responsible for implementing PMGKAY, including the 2026 reform yielding an estimated ₹2,161 crore in annual savings?

Q8. The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) reform, built on the computerised Targeted Public Distribution System, has been implemented across how many States/Union Territories?