The Paradox of Food Insecurity in India: From Surplus to Shortage

Abstract Despite achieving self-sufficiency in food grain production, India continues to face a paradox of widespread hunger and malnutrition, raising critical questions about the effectiveness of existing food security interventions. This paper reviews recent secondary data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2025, and reports from international organizations such as FAO and the World Food Programme. Globally, an estimated 673 million people experienced hunger in 2024. In India, 35.5% of children under five are stunted, 19% are wasted, and anemia affects 57% of women and 67% of children. India ranks 102nd out of 123 countries in the 2025 Global Hunger Index with a score of 25.8, classified as “serious.” Major drivers of food insecurity include poverty, inequality, climate shocks, and governance gaps in food distribution programs. Although large-scale interventions such as the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the Mid-Day Meal scheme reach millions of beneficiaries, challenges remain in terms of efficiency, nutritional diversity, and accurate targeting of vulnerable populations. Addressing food insecurity in India requires a multifaceted approach including strengthening the PDS through improved targeting and reduced leakages, expanding nutrition-focused programs, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and implementing data-driven policies to better reach vulnerable communities.