The nutritional deficiency condition that needs to be given top priority for remedial action in India today is

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Q: 103 (IAS/1996)
The nutritional deficiency condition that needs to be given top priority for remedial action in India today is

question_subject: 

Science

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,24,61,22,26,24,13

keywords: 

{'nutritional deficiency condition': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'xerophthalmia': [1, 0, 1, 0], 'scurvy': [3, 0, 0, 0], 'rickets': [10, 1, 3, 3]}

The correct answer is option 3, Xerophthalmia.

Here`s why the other options are less likely:

Option 1: Scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency. This is rather rare in India as many staple Indian foods are rich in vitamin C.

Option 2: Rickets is a deficiency disease caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. While it does exist in India, it doesn`t hold as much priority as Xerophthalmia.

Option 3: Xerophthalmia, an eye disease resulting from a deficiency of vitamin A, is a significant public health problem in India, especially among children. This is the reason why it needs top priority for remedial action.

Option 4: Pellagra is caused by niacin (Vitamin B3) deficiency and is also not as common or as critical at present in India compared to Xerophthalmia.

Hence, the provided answer is correct - the nutritional deficiency condition that should be given top priority for remedial action in India today is Xerophthalmia (option 3).

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