UPSC Mains Answer: There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on non-food essential items squeezing their food budget. Elucidate.

Difficulty Level: Medium

Pre-requisite: Understanding of India’s post-independence economic policies, particularly the shift from welfare-state models to liberalization in the 1990s, and the evolution of social sector schemes like PDS, MGNREGA, and Mid-Day Meals. Familiarity with key reports (e

Sub-category: Social Justice (Welfare Schemes, Poverty, and Hunger)

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The relationship between poverty and hunger in India has evolved, revealing a troubling divergence. Historically, poverty was synonymous with hunger, but recent trends indicate that the poor are increasingly compelled to allocate limited resources to non-food essentials such as healthcare, education, housing, and fuel, thereby shrinking their food budgets. This shift is exacerbated by the government’s shrinking social expenditure, which has reduced subsidies, welfare schemes, and public provisions that once cushioned vulnerable populations.
The withdrawal of state support has forced the poor to prioritize immediate survival needs over nutrition, leading to hidden hunger—micronutrient deficiencies despite caloric intake. For instance, the reduction in allocations for schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and Mid-Day Meals has diminished food security. Additionally, rising costs of healthcare and education, coupled with stagnant wages, further strain household budgets. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data underscores this crisis, revealing persistent malnutrition despite economic growth.
To address this divergence, the government must revitalize social expenditure, strengthen safety nets, and adopt a multi-dimensional approach to poverty alleviation that integrates food security with broader socio-economic needs.