India’s Public Distribution System Helps Reduce Stunted Growth in Children

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): – India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) is playing a major role in fighting childhood stunting, a serious health problem affecting millions of children. A new study published by the *American Economic Association* reveals that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) food transfer program has helped prevent stunting in 1.8 million children across eight states.

The report highlights the positive impact of the PDS, which was expanded under the NFSA in 2013 and further improved during the COVID-19 pandemic with the Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in 2020. This scheme provides 5 kg of grains per person each month at very low prices—₹3 per kg for rice and ₹2 per kg for wheat—ensuring that many families can access the food they need.

The study, carried out by researchers from IIM Bangalore, the University of California, and the University of Calgary, shows that these food transfers have improved both nutrition and dietary diversity, especially for young children. Stunting, which happens when children don’t grow properly due to malnutrition or illness, is a major health problem in India.

The study looked at families with ration cards in 30 villages across eight states—Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. It found that when the PDS gave more food to families, they were able to spend more on healthier, nutrient-rich foods, especially animal proteins, and less on basic grains. This helped improve their overall nutrition.

The biggest benefit was seen in infants aged 0 to 2 years, an important stage for growth and development. The PDS allowed families to buy healthier foods for their babies, which helped reduce stunting in this age group.

The study also found that the PDS helped protect children from the harmful effects of extreme weather, such as droughts or poor rainfall, which usually make malnutrition worse. In years with less rainfall, the PDS helped reduce stunting by 7 percent, showing how important food safety nets are in keeping children well-fed during difficult times.

These findings show how important the PDS is in helping children grow healthy and strong. By improving access to food, the PDS is not just a lifeline for families—it is a key part of the fight against childhood malnutrition. In a country where many children are still at risk, the PDS is proving to be a vital tool in making sure every child gets the chance to grow up healthy.