Food security in India continues to be an unresolved paradox—adequate food grain production and surplus availability coexist with widespread hunger and malnutrition. While exports of cereals and cash crops contribute significantly to the economy, domestic nutrition needs, particularly among marginalized populations, remain unmet. The distribution system struggles with inefficiencies, leakages, and inequities, rendering food either unavailable or unaffordable for those who need it most. Safety and stability of food supply chains are also a concern, with quality often compromised in favor of profit-driven models. This reflects a dominant commercial approach wherein food is treated more as a commodity than a human right.

Moreover, the political economy of food tends to prioritize corporate interests, subsidies, and international markets over indigenous biodiversity and local food systems rooted in traditional agricultural practices. Such neglect not only erodes sustainable farming and ecological resilience but also widens dependence on global corporations. As malnutrition continues to weaken public health indicators, the crucial question is whether India’s food security policies are guided by people’s nutritional needs or by commercial imperatives. Examining this tension is vital to assess whether India has truly achieved food independence, or remains vulnerable to structural inequities within its food system.