Yash Pal Ralhan
(ralhan.yashpal@gmail.com)
The 2023 Global Hunger Index and the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report presented a very grim picture of hunger and malnutrition in India, and while the GHI ranked India 111th out of 125 countries based on parameters of child stunting, wasting, and undernourishment, the SOFI estimated that between 2020 and 2022, around 74 million people were undernourished. India’s GHI score of 27.3 in 2024 remained in the 'serious 'category. But India has improved its child mortality rates since 2000; it still has the highest child wasting rate in the world, and the stunting rate remains alarmingly high. And this is despite various government schemes aimed at addressing malnutrition, such as the Integrated Child Development Services and the Poshan Abhiyaan, among others.
The scorecard for the 125 nations analysed ranges from “low” to “extremely alarming.” While India is in the "serious" category, it might as well be considered “extremely alarming” if one considers various other relevant factors. It also establishes the abject and systemic failure by the Indian state to address the most basic of human needs—adequate food and nutrition that are essential to reap the benefits of the much-touted ‘demographic dividend.’ The anomalies revealed are astonishing. The world’s fastest-growing economy, with an estimated gross domestic product of almost $4 trillion, has 200 million citizens—the size of the population of Brazil—who are undernourished. India's economic growth story is often touted as a success, with the country emerging as the fifth-largest economy globally.
Interestingly, the government, which had previously refuted the GHI’s methodology, remained silent on the 2024 report. In earlier years, officials questioned the reliance on child-focused indicators and the use of small-scale surveys. However, this time around, the GHI authors reportedly included data from India’s 2022-23 Household Consumption Survey—potentially making the findings harder to dispute.
The issues go beyond statistics. Ground realities reveal glaring gaps in the implementation of food and nutrition schemes. Anganwadi centres, which are crucial for delivering nutrition to children and women, often face numerous undocumented challenges. The linkage of Aadhaar to beneficiaries has further complicated access. This ultimately leaves out many deserving individuals due to lack of documentation or other technical glitches. Anganwadi workers and supervisors are also reported to have highlighted issues with the Poshan Tracker application, which was introduced to monitor beneficiaries. These issues are compounded by a lack of regular health checkups for malnourished children, an inadequate supply of essential medicines, and limited counselling for mothers.
However, this growth has not translated into equitable distribution of resources or effective social welfare programmes. The persistence of hunger and malnutrition alongside economic growth underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of development. The country’s hunger crisis is not uniform, with certain regions and communities bearing the brunt. Rural areas, tribal populations, and marginalised groups such as Dalits and Adivasis suffer disproportionately. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, with 53% of women aged 15-49 years anaemic, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5. The Indian government has launched several initiatives aimed at addressing hunger and malnutrition, including the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013; the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme; and the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-Poshan) programme. However, implementation challenges, funding constraints, and inefficiencies plague these initiatives. Corruption, lack of awareness, and inadequate infrastructure further exacerbate the problem.
It cannot be denied that socio-economic development schemes started by the Centre as well as by the various states had helped to control the hunger, but still more is needed in this regard. As per the report, due to the Ujjwala scheme, many deaths had been saved from chest or lung cancers. Due to ODF, people had been saved from many diseases, as now there is cleanliness in rural India. Due to Ayushman Bharat, people are getting timely medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per family, and due to this facility, many lives have been saved... and it has a positive impact to control the hunger. Providing free residence with all minimum facilities had also saved the lives of poor people and helped to remove hunger from the country.
Cleanliness is the foundation stone to keep away the many diseases and ultimately help to remove hunger. Preventive measures are most important, which a person has to follow in true spirit to keep away from hunger.
Before the rank goes into a dipping spiral, it is imperative to strengthen and expand social welfare programmes, ensuring last-mile delivery and adequate funding; promote sustainable agriculture practices, supporting small farmers and focusing on nutrient-rich crops; address regional disparities through targeted interventions and capacity building; enhance nutrition education and awareness, particularly among vulnerable groups; and encourage private sector participation in addressing hunger and malnutrition. India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index serves as a wake-up call. Economic growth alone cannot eradicate hunger; equitable distribution of resources, effective social welfare programmes, and a multifaceted approach are essential. As India strives to become a global leader, it must prioritise the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens. As citizens, we must demand more from our leaders. We must recognise the human cost of hunger and malnutrition and advocate for policy changes that prioritise the most vulnerable. Together, we can ensure that India's growth story is one of inclusive development, where no one goes hungry. The time to act is now.