What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah? is a key topic under Social Issues for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: Rashtriya Poshan Maah is an annual national nutrition campaign observed every September.. It operates under the umbrella of POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission), launched in March 2018.. Aims to combat malnutrition and promote healthy dietary practices, especially among children, adolescents, pregnant, and lactating women.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah? is a Medium-level topic in UPSC Social Issues. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah?, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
To prepare What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah? for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for Social Issues. (5) Write practice answers linking What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah? to related GS Paper topics.

The Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) is an important annual campaign in India. It is specifically designed to tackle the pervasive issue of malnutrition and to champion improved nutrition and health practices across the nation.
Celebration Period: The campaign is observed every year during the month of September.
Parent Scheme: It operates under the umbrella of the POSHAN Abhiyaan, which stands for the Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment.
The primary goal of Rashtriya Poshan Maah is to significantly enhance public awareness regarding nutrition. It aims to foster better dietary habits and effectively combat malnutrition among the most vulnerable segments of the population.
This initiative is strategically aligned with the national aspiration of achieving a 'Suposhit Bharat', signifying a well-nourished India. It emphasizes a holistic approach to public health.
Vulnerable Groups Targeted:
A diverse range of activities are organized nationwide during Rashtriya Poshan Maah to achieve its objectives. These activities ensure broad community participation and widespread impact.
UPSC Insight: Understanding the specific activities helps in illustrating policy implementation. For instance, the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” drive connects environmental sustainability with maternal health, a good point for GS-III or Essay.
Each year, the campaign adopts specific themes to focus its efforts and messaging. The Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 introduced several critical themes to address key nutritional challenges.
Key Themes for 2024:
The POSHAN Abhiyaan, also known as the National Nutrition Mission, serves as the foundational scheme for Rashtriya Poshan Maah. It represents the Government of India's flagship program to improve nutritional outcomes across the country.
Launch Date: The POSHAN Abhiyaan was officially launched in March 2018.
Core Objective: Its primary aim is to systematically address the multifaceted issue of malnutrition in India.
Target Beneficiaries: The Abhiyaan specifically focuses on the nutritional needs of:


Awareness Drive on ‘Poshan Maah’ in Bamhanikhurd: Nutrition Exhibition and Godbharai Ceremony for Expectant Mothers
30 Sept 2025
Poshan Maah Campaign in Jharkhand highlights reduction in oil & sugar consumption and the “Paanch Sutra – Golden 1000 Days” initiative
20 Sept 2025