Contents

1. Public Distribution System (PDS) .............................................. 2

2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India ....................... 5

3. Green Growth in Union Budget 2023-24.................................... 7

4. Green Steel-Making.................................................................. 10

5. Understanding Unemployment in India .................................... 11

Public Distribution System (PDS)

1. Background of PDS
• PDS roots trace back to 3rd century BCE (Mahasthan inscription)
• Alauddin Khalji implemented price regulation and grain distribution
2. Early Achievements of PDS
• Reduced food scarcity during 1960s war
• Expanded programs after Green Revolution success
• Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) - 1992
o Targeted remote areas (1773 blocks)
o Offered 20 kg per card at subsidized price
 • Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) - Focus on poor
o Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) - Identifies poorest among BPL
o NFSA covers 75% rural & 50% urban population under AAY
3. Constitutional Role of PDS
• Upholds Article 47 (Duty of state to raise nutrition & standard of living)
• Protects Article 21 (Right to Life) - indirectly ensures Right to Health
• Strengthens Article 14 (Equality) - Ensures access to food for all
4. PDS and SDGs
• Goal 1: No Poverty - Provides affordable food to vulnerable sections
• Goal 2: Zero Hunger - Covers 75% rural & 50% urban population
• Goal 3: Good Health & Well-being - Enables diversified food consumption
• Goal 5: Gender Equality - Empowers women through ration cards (e.g., Kerala)
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities - Ensures access to food for all
5. Food Security System in India
• Food Corporation of India (FCI) with state agencies manage procurement,
storage & distribution
• Two types of procurement: Centralized & Decentralized
• Centralized: FCI procures & distributes (limited role)
• Decentralized: State agencies procure & distribute within state (more effective)
6. Challenges in PDS System
• Refusal of procurement due to low staff (hardship for farmers)
• High dependence on hired storage (underutilized FCI storage)
• Lack of infrastructure in some regions
• Damage of food grains (pests, leakage, rotting)
• Climate change impact on crop yield
7. Improving PDS and Food Security
• Digitalization: Prevent leakages, ensure fair distribution (UDAN scheme)
 • New Technologies: Efficient irrigation, Genetically Modified crops, drones
(precision farming)
• Legalization of MSP: Fixed income for farmers based on production
• Crop Insurance (PMFBY): Protects farmers from crop losses
• Establishing Direct Channels: Ensure farmer rights & prevent leakages (Direct
Benefits Transfer)
8. Conclusion
• India's growing population and climate change necessitate a shift in focus
• Expand food security principles: Accessibility, Affordability, Availability &
Sustainability
• Ensure food security for all and achieve social justice
 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in
India
Introduction
• NITI Aayog's 4th report shows India's SDG score improved
from 57 (2018) to 71 (2023).
• Key improvements in health, education, poverty reduction.
• Challenges remain in income inequality and gender equality.
India's SDG Progress
• Goal 1: No Poverty
o Achievement: Poverty rate down from 21.9% (2011) to
10.2% (2019).
o Plan: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) for
financial inclusion (430 million beneficiaries).
• Goal 2: Zero Hunger
o Achievement: Food grain distribution to 800 million people
during COVID-19 (PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana).
o Plan: Doubling farmers' income by 2022 (PM-KISAN
scheme for 110 million farmers).
• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
o Achievement: Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) reduced from 50
(2009) to 28 per 1000 live births (2020).
o Plan: Ayushman Bharat scheme (health coverage for 500
million), increase healthcare spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
• Goal 4: Quality Education
o Achievement: Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education
increased from 24.3% (2014-15) to 27.1% (2019-20).
o Plan: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for 100% GER in school
education by 2030.
• Goal 5: Gender Equality
o Achievement: Women's earnings ratio to men improved from 0.56 (2015)
to 0.73 (2023).
o Plan: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme (improved Child Sex Ratio from
918 (2014) to 931 (2021).
• Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
o Achievement: Over 600 million people with sanitation facilities (Swachh
Bharat Mission).
o Plan: Jal Jeevan Mission for piped water to all rural households by 2024.
• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
o Achievement: Renewable energy capacity reached 100 GW by 2021.
o Plan: Target of 175 GW by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030.
Green Growth in Union Budget 2023-24

Green Growth: A Top Priority

• Focus on green industrial & economic transition
• Environmentally friendly agriculture & sustainable energy
Key Initiatives
• Green Hydrogen Mission
 • Energy Transition & Storage Projects
• Renewable Energy Evacuation Infrastructure
• Green Credit Program
• PM-PRANAM (Renewable Energy)
• GOBARdhan Scheme (Bio-CNG)
• Bhartiya Prakritik Kheti Bio-Input Resource Centres
• MISHTI (Organic Farming)
• Amrit Dharohar (Bio-Diversity)
• Coastal Shipping
• Vehicle Replacement
Accelerating Green Growth
• New-age reforms for overcoming challenges
• Financial Resource Allocation & Collection
Strategies for Success
1. Scaling Renewable Energy
o Emphasis on private investment
o Competitive costs
o Large-scale storage solutions
2. Self-reliance in Solar Panels (within 5 years)
o Government procurement
o Production Linked Incentives (PLI)
3. Long-term Rupee Debt
o Lower bid prices for developers
o Supported by green bonds
4. PLI & FAME for Battery Production
o Self-reliance in EV batteries
 5. Green Hydrogen for Green Manufacturing
Conclusion
• Supportive policies & incentives
• Leader in green technology & manufacturing
 Green Steel-Making
Green Steel Project in India
• Led by Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT)
• Supported by Steel Ministry
• Aims for 100% hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)
National Green Hydrogen Mission
• ₹455 crore allocated for piloting green steel-making
• Three methods considered:
o 100% hydrogen DRI
o Hydrogen injection in blast furnaces
o Hydrogen blending with natural gas in DRI plants
Green Steel-Making Process
1. Produce Hydrogen
o Using renewable energy (wind, solar)
o Split water into hydrogen and oxygen
2. Reduce Iron Ore
o Use hydrogen to remove oxygen from iron ore
o Creates water vapor, not carbon dioxide
3. Melt the Sponge Iron
o Use electric arc furnace to melt sponge iron
4. Make Steel Products
o Refine and shape liquid steel
Benefits
• Replaces coal with hydrogen
• Significantly cuts carbon emissions
• Greener steel production
Understanding Unemployment in India

Introduction
• Unemployment: Willing & able to work, but no job available.
• Indicator of economic health: High unemployment = Low demand & supply.
Current Situation in India (June 2024): High Unemployment Rate: 9.2% (CMIE)
Types of Unemployment
• Seasonal: Temporary unemployment due to seasons (e.g., agriculture)
• Disguised: More workers than needed (low productivity)
• Structural: Skill mismatch between workers and job market needs
• Cyclical: Caused by economic downturns (recession)
 • Technological: Job losses due to automation (AI, Machine Learning)
Causes of Unemployment
• Population Growth: Outpaces economic growth
• Political Instability: Discourages investment
• Economic Mismanagement: Examples - Sri Lanka, Venezuela
• Business Environment: Rigid economies lead to higher unemployment (e.g.,
North Korea)
• Environment: Extreme climates limit economic development (e.g., Sub-Saharan
Africa)
Measures to Reduce Unemployment
• Government Initiatives:
o LPG Reforms (1991): Liberalized economy, improved business
environment
o Programs:
▪ MGNREGA: 100 days guaranteed work
▪ DDU-GKY: Skill training & minimum wage jobs for rural poor
▪ Garib Kalyan Rozgar Yojana: 125 days guaranteed work
▪ DAY-DDY: Skill development & financial support
• State Initiatives: Example - Rajasthan's Gig Bill
Conclusion
• India's Youth Potential: Leverage the large youth population for development.