Overview
- Using 2023–24 NSSO household data, the analysis shows Indians average 55.6 grams of at-home protein daily, yet nearly half now comes from cereals such as rice and wheat.
- Cereal protein’s share approaches 50 percent versus the ICMR–NIN recommendation of 32 percent, while pulses provide about 11 percent of protein intake compared with a 19 percent target.
- Inequality is pronounced as the richest 10 percent consume about 1.5 times more at-home protein than the poorest, with the poorest rural households meeting only 38 percent of recommended eggs, fish and meat intake as the richest exceed 123 percent.
- Subsidised rice and wheat distributed through the Public Distribution System drive cereal-heavy diets, while coarse-grain consumption has fallen by nearly 40 percent over a decade, leaving intake far below recommendations.
- The study calls for PDS, PM Poshan and Anganwadi to procure and provide more millets, pulses, milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables to improve protein quality, diet diversity and resilience.