Food Security in India: Policy Challenges, Systemic Gaps and Sustainable Pathways

Authors

  • G. Subbiah Associate Professor & Head, Department of Economics, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India
  • R. Ramalakshmi Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India
  • R. Rajanbabu Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9946-9284
  • P. Balamurugan Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Central University of Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53983/ijmds.v14n7.004

Keywords:

Food Security, Nutritional Equity, Public Distribution System, National Food Security Act, Agricultural Reform, Supply Chain Efficiency

Abstract

India’s progress toward food self-sufficiency has not translated into equitable access to nutrition for all. This study examines persistent barriers to food security, including economic disparities, supply chain inefficiencies and the climate-food nexus. By critically evaluating policy mechanisms such as the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the paper identifies structural gaps in distribution, procurement and implementation. Drawing on global and national indicators, the analysis highlights the urgent need for integrated reform spanning crop diversification, digital targeting, community-driven nutrition programs and sustainable agricultural practices. The proposed roadmap aims to align India's food security efforts with long-term development and resilience goals.

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Author Biographies

G. Subbiah, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Economics, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India

G. Subbiah is an experienced economist with deep expertise in the urban informal sector, labour studies and agricultural economics. With over a decade of teaching and research, he currently serves as the Head of the Department of Economics at S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil. His academic background includes multiple postgraduate degrees and a Ph.D., and his work has consistently focused on marginalized communities and informal economic systems. His work reflects a commitment to understanding and supporting the lives of those who sustain themselves outside the boundaries of formal employment.

R. Ramalakshmi, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India

R. Ramalakshmi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil. She specializes in urban informal labour dynamics, with particular emphasis on labour economics, human resource management and the Indian economy. Her teaching and research focus on real-world economic challenges, especially those faced by informal workers in urban environments. Actively engaged in academic forums and professional networks, she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to both the classroom and her fieldwork.

R. Rajanbabu, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India

R. Rajanbabu is an Assistant Professor of Economics at S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli and an M.A. in Business Economics from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. With over a decade of experience in research and teaching, he has worked at several esteemed institutions including IIT Madras, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University and Loyola College, he has also contributed to impactful research roles, including projects funded by ICSSR and State Planning Commissions. Rajanbabu has published extensively in reputed journals and has presented numerous papers at national and international conferences.

P. Balamurugan, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Central University of Tamil Nadu, India

P. Balamurugan is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN), bringing over two decades of teaching and research experience to the field. A distinguished scholar with a Ph.D. from Bharathidasan University and Post-Doctoral credentials from the University of Allahabad. His prolific contributions encompass more than forty research papers published in peer-reviewed journals. Balamurugan’s academic interests span agricultural economics and development studies, reflecting his deep engagement with the socioeconomic challenges of India.

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Published

15-07-2025

How to Cite

Subbiah, G., R. Ramalakshmi, R. Rajanbabu, and P. Balamurugan. “Food Security in India: Policy Challenges, Systemic Gaps and Sustainable Pathways”. International Journal of Management and Development Studies, vol. 14, no. 7, July 2025, pp. 28-34, doi:10.53983/ijmds.v14n7.004.

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 7 (2025): International Journal of Management and Development Studies

Section

Articles