India has made strong progress in reducing hunger, with the number of undernourished people falling by 42% over the past two decades. The decline points to a broader improvement in food access and nutrition, and it places India ahead of wider global trends in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
The picture is also improving on diet affordability. The number of people unable to afford a healthy diet has dropped significantly, suggesting that more households have been able to move closer to better nutrition. That marks an important shift in a country where food security and diet quality often do not improve at the same pace.
Even so, the gains are not enough to offset a persistent problem: the cost of healthy food remains high. While fewer people are going hungry, many families still face pressure when trying to buy a balanced and nutritious diet. This means progress against hunger does not automatically translate into affordable nutrition for everyone.
The overall trend is positive, but the contrast is clear. India is making notable headway in reducing undernourishment and improving access to healthier diets, yet food costs continue to limit how far that progress can go. The challenge ahead is not only producing better outcomes on hunger, but also making nutritious food easier to afford.
