Current Affairs-Topics

HCES India Survey 2022-2024

The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, HCES India 2022-2024, has emerged as a significant source of data highlighting nutritional intake patterns in rural and urban India. #

Conducted in two phases from August 2022 to July 2024, this detailed household survey sheds light on the evolving trends in food consumption, calorie intake, protein intake, and fat consumption across the Indian population.

The findings, compiled in the report titled “Nutritional Intake in India”, hold high relevance for policymakers, researchers, and SSC aspirants, especially those preparing for current affairs, economic awareness, and general knowledge sections.

Survey Overview: What is HCES India 2022-2024?

HCES India 2022-2024 aimed to measure the Indian household diet and analyze changes in nutrient intake levels over time. The survey covered both rural nutrition and urban diet segments, capturing dietary data from diverse economic backgrounds.

The focus of HCES India 2022-2024 included:

  • Calorie intake India

  • Protein consumption trends

  • Fat intake statistics

  • Impact of MPCE (Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure) on nutrition

  • Rural vs urban food habits

This data forms the foundation of a national-level nutritional report 2024 that evaluates how India’s food security and dietary quality have shifted post-2020.

Nutritional Intake Highlights from HCES India 2022-2024

Calorie Intake

The average per capita calorie intake witnessed minor fluctuations:

  • Rural areas: 2233 Kcal (2022-23) → 2212 Kcal (2023-24)

  • Urban areas: 2250 Kcal → 2240 Kcal

However, the bottom economic classes in both rural and urban segments showed an increase in calorie intake, indicating improved food accessibility and narrowing of consumption inequality.

Protein Intake

Protein intake improved in both regions:

  • Rural India: 61.9 grams → 63.2 grams

  • Urban India: Similar increases

These trends confirm a positive dietary shift and align with long-term protein consumption trends reported in previous surveys.

Fat Consumption

Fat intake also rose significantly:

  • Rural: 59.7g → 70.5g

  • Urban: 60.4g → 69.8g

This data reflects rising consumption of diverse food items, possibly indicating increased access to animal-based protein sources and processed foods.

Regional and Economic Variations

  • The HCES India 2022-2024 findings revealed strong regional differences in calorie and nutrient intake. States with higher MPCE levels showed better nutritional outcomes.

  • More importantly, the gap between top and bottom fractile classes narrowed, pointing toward improved equity in food distribution.

This development is critical when analyzing the impact of MPCE on nutritional levels across states, a topic highly relevant for SSC exams and general economic studies.

Long-Term Trends in Nutritional Intake

  • A review of past surveys from 2009-10 to HCES India 2022-2024 indicates a steady rise in both calorie and protein intake, highlighting dietary changes in India over the past decade.

  • This progress supports the idea that India's food security trends have improved, aided by better income levels, infrastructure, and government interventions.

These trends in dietary shifts in India post-2020 are crucial from both a public health and exam point of view.

Sources of Protein: Shift in Indian Diet

Historically, cereals were the primary sources of protein in Indian household diets:

  • Rural households: 46–47%

  • Urban households: Around 39%

However, the share of cereals is gradually declining, replaced by increased intake of eggs, fish, meat, and dairy. This indicates a transition toward balanced protein consumption, reflecting the changing role of cereals, dairy, and meat in Indian nutrition.

Adjusted vs. Unadjusted Nutrient Intake

A key insight from HCES India 2022-2024 is the distinction between:

  • Unadjusted nutrient intake (based on reported food quantity)

  • Adjusted nutrient intake (accounts for food served to guests, employees, or bought outside)

Adjusted nutrient intake figures were slightly lower, offering a more realistic reflection of actual dietary habits. This comparison of adjusted and unadjusted nutrient intake is vital for accurate nutrition and policy planning.

Relevance of HCES India 2022-2024 for SSC Exams

For SSC aspirants, HCES India 2022-2024 is a high-priority current affairs topic. Key areas to focus on include:

  • Nutritional intake patterns in rural and urban India

  • Changes in calorie and protein intake over time in India

  • Food consumption inequality

  • Consumption expenditure survey methodology

  • Nutrient intake analysis by economic class in India

You may encounter MCQs or descriptive questions around these topics in exams like SSC CGL, CHSL, or MTS.

Final Thoughts

The HCES India 2022-2024 is more than just a national survey — it’s a mirror of India’s nutritional progress and socio-economic development. With rising calorie, protein, and fat intake, improved access across classes, and dietary diversification, India is moving steadily toward better food security.

For SSC aspirants, mastering the findings of HCES India 2022-2024 offers a double advantage — it strengthens exam preparation and deepens your understanding of India’s public health and economic transformation.

More Related Articles

Anti-Tobacco Campaign in India

India’s commitment to tobacco control was recently highlighted in the World Health Organization’s Global Tobacco Epidemic report. The report praises the effectiveness of India’s

ESIC Registration Scheme SPREE 2025

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has launched the much-anticipated ESIC Registration Scheme SPREE 2025, a progressive initiative aimed at expanding social security coverage in I

India Potato Production 2025

India has taken a major leap in agricultural innovation with the approval of the CIP-South Asia Regional Center (CSARC) in Agra. This center is expected to significantly improve India's Pot

Indian Coffee Exports Hit $1.8B

India's coffee exports have witnessed a 125% surge over the past 11 years, growing from $800 million in 2014–15 to $1.8 billion in 2024–25, according to recent government data.

India’s progress on SDGs

India has made remarkable progress in sustainable development, earning the 99th rank in the Sustainable Development Index 2025. This marks a historic entry into the top 100 and reflects significan

India’s SDG 3 Health Goals

India's SDG health targets are central to the country's efforts to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal

ECoR Yatra App (Rath Yatra 2025)

The ECoR Yatra App is a recent launch by the East Coast Railway (ECoR) aimed at easing the travel experience for Rath Yatra 2025 pilgrims. As the pilgrimage to Puri, Odisha, attracts lakhs of d

EPFO Emergency Withdrawal Limit to ₹5 Lakh

In a major policy update on June 25, 2025, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has increased the auto-settlement limit fo

India's Second Astronaut in Space

In a monumental development for India’s space history, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has officially become India's second astronaut in space, marking a historic return to human sp

MoSPI Income Survey 2026

The MoSPI Income Survey 2026 is set to be a landmark initiative in India’s economic data collection history. Launched by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI),

Toppers

anil kumar
Akshay kuamr
geeta kumari
shubham