What is the common examiner trap about Economy in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the committee's 'recommendation' versus the government's 'stated reason' for the gap. The trap is confusing the committee's directive (to improve planning) with the government's explanation (factors like market rates). They might also swap the procurement percentages between wheat and rice or between different financial years.

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News 13 of 20

Parliamentary Panel Reports Wheat & Rice Procurement Below 30% of Production Since FY23

Q: Which ministry/department is primarily responsible for the procurement of food grains like rice and wheat in India?

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, The Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is the nodal agency for food grain procurement, buffer stock management, and the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the recent parliamentary committee report on food grain procurement: 1. The committee noted that procurement of wheat and rice has been less than 30% of total production since 2022-23. 2. Actual procurement of wheat exceeded the estimated procurement targets in the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25. 3. The committee is headed by a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 1, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect because actual procurement of wheat was 76.71% and 71.35% of the estimate for 2023-24 and 2024-25 respectively, meaning it was below target. Statement 3 is incorrect as the committee is headed by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi.

Q: According to the report, what was the actual procurement of wheat as a percentage of the estimate for the financial year 2024-25?

71.35%, The article explicitly states that actual procurement of wheat was 71.35% of the estimate for the year 2024-25. The other percentages correspond to different years mentioned in the report.

Q: What is the primary concern raised by the parliamentary committee regarding food grain procurement, as highlighted in the news?

The consistent shortfall in procurement compared to estimates and production., The core issue flagged by the committee is the persistent gap where actual procurement remains consistently below government estimates and below 30% of total production, impacting food security planning and farmer welfare.

Q: What should UPSC aspirants remember about Economy for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Wheat procurement was 87.29% of estimate in 2025-26. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 3. Target this Policy: Minimum Support Price (MSP) and its link to procurement shortfalls.

Economy Agriculture PolitySUPPORT

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

22 Mar 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:Less than 30% of productionWheat procurement FY24: 76.71%Wheat procurement FY25: 71.35%Wheat procurement FY26: 87.29%Rice procurement KMS 2024-25 Andhra Pradesh: 25.60 LMTRice procurement KMS 2024-25 Karnataka: 0.003 LMT

Bodies:Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public DistributionUnion Food Ministry

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, headed by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, expressed concern over consistently low procurement of rice and wheat.

2.Actual procurement of wheat was 76.71%, 71.35%, and 87.29% of estimates for FY24, FY25, and FY26 respectively; rice procurement has been below target since FY23.

3.The panel urged the Union Food Ministry to improve procurement planning and coordination with states like Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, where gaps are significant.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

A parliamentary committee has flagged a critical and persistent shortfall in government procurement of rice and wheat, consistently below estimates and targets. This impacts food security, farmer incomes, and the efficacy of the Public Distribution System (PDS). Aspirants must understand the mechanics of procurement, the role of MSP, and the challenges in food grain management.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Committee NameParliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Wheat Procurement FY2476.71% of estimate

Wheat Procurement FY2571.35% of estimate

Rice Procurement (KMS 2024-25, Punjab)116.13 LMT against 124 LMT target

Procurement vs. ProductionBelow 30% of total production since 2022-23

1-Minute Revision

›Committee Name: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
›Wheat Procurement FY24: 76.71% of estimate
›Target this Data: Wheat procurement was 87.29% of estimate in 2025-26.
›Target this Nodal Body: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
›Target this Policy: Minimum Support Price (MSP) and its link to procurement shortfalls.

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News Snapshot

📊

Persistent Procurement Gap

Government procurement of wheat and rice has been consistently below estimated targets and less than 30% of total production since 2022-23.

⚖️

Parliamentary Oversight

A House panel headed by MP Kanimozhi has directed the Food Ministry to strengthen planning and state coordination to bridge the procurement gap.

🌾

State-Level Shortfalls

During KMS 2024-25, rice procurement fell short in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Punjab; wheat procurement lagged in Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh in RMS 2025-26.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The government procures food grains (rice and wheat) at Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to maintain buffer stocks for the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other welfare schemes. Effective procurement ensures price stability for farmers and food security for consumers. A consistent gap between estimated and actual procurement indicates systemic inefficiencies in planning, market dynamics, and state-level implementation.

Core Analysis & Implications

The report highlights a structural weakness: procurement has been below 30% of production for three consecutive years. This under-procurement can lead to multiple issues: farmers may sell produce below MSP in open markets, affecting their income; buffer stocks may deplete, threatening food security; and the government's price stabilization capability weakens. Factors cited include production fluctuations, market surplus, MSP effectiveness, private trader participation, and prevailing market rates. The specific state-wise data (e.g., Punjab rice: 116.13 LMT vs 124 LMT target) underscores the need for localized strategies.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The committee has recommended concrete actions: review the methodology for estimating procurement needs, enhance real-time monitoring of production and market arrivals, and work closely with underperforming states. The Food Ministry must now apprise the panel of corrective measures. This issue ties into broader debates on agricultural marketing reforms, the efficacy of MSP, and the need for decentralized procurement systems to improve coverage and efficiency.

Key Facts at a Glance

Committee NameParliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Wheat Procurement FY2476.71% of estimate

Wheat Procurement FY2571.35% of estimate

Rice Procurement (KMS 2024-25, Punjab)116.13 LMT against 124 LMT target

Procurement vs. ProductionBelow 30% of total production since 2022-23

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which ministry/department is primarily responsible for the procurement of food grains like rice and wheat in India?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the recent parliamentary committee report on food grain procurement:

1. The committee noted that procurement of wheat and rice has been less than 30% of total production since 2022-23.

2. Actual procurement of wheat exceeded the estimated procurement targets in the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25.

3. The committee is headed by a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

According to the report, what was the actual procurement of wheat as a percentage of the estimate for the financial year 2024-25?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary concern raised by the parliamentary committee regarding food grain procurement, as highlighted in the news?

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Parliamentary Panel Reports Wheat & Rice Procurement Below 30% of Production Since FY23

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Persistent Procurement Gap

Parliamentary Oversight

State-Level Shortfalls

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance