The National Statistics Office (NSO) has released its latest report, Nutritional Intake in India, presenting detailed insights into the daily intake of calories, protein and fat among the Indian population based on back-to-back Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys (HCES) conducted from August 2022 to July 2024.
The surveys, covering two consecutive periods — August 2022–July 2023 and August 2023–July 2024 — collected comprehensive data on household food consumption across states, sectors, and expenditure classes. These findings continue the NSO’s long-standing practice of publishing periodic reports on nutritional intake, with previous editions released for the NSS’s 50th, 55th, 61st, 66th, and 68th rounds.
Stable Average Nutrient Intake Across Rural and Urban India
The report shows a broadly stable pattern in average daily per capita and per consumer unit intake of calories, protein and fat in both rural and urban areas over the two survey years.
In rural India, the average daily per capita calorie intake stood at 2,233 kilocalories (Kcal) in 2022–23, slightly decreasing to 2,212 Kcal in 2023–24. Urban India recorded a marginal decline from 2,250 Kcal to 2,240 Kcal over the same period.
The average daily protein intake per capita remained stable at around 62 grams in rural areas and 63 grams in urban centres. Fat intake was estimated at about 60 grams per day in rural India and nearly 70 grams in urban India during both survey periods.
Calorie Intake Varies With Household Well-Being
A key finding is the clear correlation between calorie intake and household expenditure levels. As Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) increases, so does average calorie intake.
In 2023–24, the average daily per capita calorie intake for the lowest fractile class (bottom 5% of the population ranked by expenditure) was 1,688 Kcal in rural India and 1,696 Kcal in urban India. By comparison, households in the top 5% expenditure class recorded an average daily per capita calorie intake of 2,941 Kcal in rural areas and 3,092 Kcal in urban areas.
The gap between the lowest and highest fractile classes has narrowed slightly compared to 2022–23, indicating some improvement in the calorie intake of the lower expenditure groups.
Trends Over Time
Long-term trends show a modest rise in average daily per capita calorie and protein intake since 2009–10. Over this period, rural and urban households have seen gradual improvements in nutritional intake, suggesting a slow but steady enhancement in food consumption patterns.
Shift in Sources of Protein
An analysis of protein sources reveals significant dietary shifts. Cereals continue to be the primary source of protein, accounting for nearly 46–47% of protein intake in rural areas and about 39% in urban regions.
However, the share of cereals has declined sharply over the past decade — by about 14% in rural India and nearly 12% in urban India. This reduction has been offset by an increase in the share of protein derived from eggs, fish, meat, other food items and, to a lesser extent, milk and milk products.
Adjusted vs. Unadjusted Nutrient Intake
The report also provides estimates of adjusted nutrient intake, which excludes meals served to non-household members and other such factors, to better reflect true household consumption.
Adjusted figures are slightly lower than unadjusted figures. For instance, the adjusted average daily per capita calorie intake in rural India for 2023–24 was 2,191 Kcal, compared to 2,212 Kcal in the unadjusted estimate.
Key Takeaway
The Nutritional Intake in India report underscores both progress and persistent disparities in food consumption across income groups and regions. While overall intake levels have improved marginally over time, significant gaps remain between different segments of the population, pointing to the continued importance of targeted nutrition and food security interventions.
