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National Nutrition Mission — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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National Nutrition Mission

Ministry of Women and Child DevelopmentactivehealthLaunched: 2018-03-08

About the Scheme

POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) aims to reduce stunting, wasting, anaemia, and low birth weight in children under 6 and women. In 2021, renamed as Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 with enhanced mandate. Over 14 lakh Anganwadi centres covering 10+ crore beneficiaries.

Target Beneficiaries: Children under 6 years; pregnant women; lactating mothers; adolescent girls — 10+ crore beneficiaries through 14 lakh Anganwadis

Implementing Agency: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) along with State Governments and UT Administrations, through Anganwadi Services.

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • POSHAN 2.0 (2021): integrates ICDS, PMMVY, National Nutrition Mission into one mission
  • Saksham Anganwadis: upgraded centres with better infrastructure, nutrition, early childhood development
  • Technology: POSHAN Tracker app for real-time monitoring (14 lakh AWWs using app)
  • POSHAN Maah (September): national nutrition month with community mobilisation
  • Budget FY2025-26: ₹20,105 crore under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0
  • Targets: reduce stunting/wasting by 2%/yr; anaemia by 3%/yr; low birth weight by 2%/yr
  • Convergence with health, water, sanitation, agriculture for holistic nutrition outcomes

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • Children aged 0-6 years.
  • Pregnant women and lactating mothers.
  • Adolescent girls.
  • Families residing in areas covered by Anganwadi Services.

★Benefits

  • Improved nutritional status and health outcomes for target groups.
  • Reduced incidence of stunting, wasting, and anemia.
  • Enhanced cognitive development and overall well-being of children.
  • Strengthened public health infrastructure through Anganwadi centers and improved service delivery.

▶Application Process

  • Beneficiaries are identified and enrolled through Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) and local health facilities.
  • Frontline workers (AWWs, ASHAs) facilitate registration and provide services and counseling.
  • Regular health check-ups, growth monitoring, and nutrition services are provided at AWCs based on eligibility.
  • No direct application portal for the mission itself, but for availing specific services under its umbrella.

₹ Budget Allocation

20105

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (States), 90:10 (NE/Hilly), 100:0 (UTs without legislature)

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS2

Prelims Relevance8%
Mains Relevance9%

Syllabus Tags

NutritionWomen HealthChild DevelopmentMalnutritionGS2

Historical Context

Launched in March 2018 from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. In 2021, it was revamped into Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 to strengthen nutritional content and delivery.

Exclusion Criteria

  • None (Universal for children under 6, pregnant women, and lactating mothers)

Sub-Schemes

Saksham Anganwadi

Strengthening infrastructure of Anganwadis

Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)

Nutrition support for adolescent girls

Challenges

  • High prevalence of anemia despite supplementation
  • Digital divide affecting the use of the POSHAN Tracker by Anganwadi workers
  • Inadequate quality of Take-Home Rations (THR)
  • Impact of COVID-19 on child nutrition monitoring

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Incentivizing the production of bio-fortified crops
  • Mandatory social audits of Anganwadi centers
  • Improving the honorarium and training of Anganwadi Workers

Performance Statistics

Metric

35.5%

Source: NFHS-5

Metric

13.9 lakh

Source: MWCD

Critical Analysis

POSHAN Abhiyaan represents a move toward 'Nutrition Hubs' rather than just calorie delivery. POSHAN 2.0 integrates the Anganwadi services and the Supplementary Nutrition Program to address the 'hidden hunger' of micronutrient deficiency. Despite high political will, the persistent rates of anemia in NFHS-5 suggest that the mission needs to pivot from 'delivery' to 'behavioral change' (Jan Andolan). The challenge remains the convergence of 18 different ministries to address sanitation, water, and health simultaneously.

SDG Linkages

SDG 2: Zero HungerSDG 3: Good HealthSDG 5: Gender Equality

Constitutional Backing

Article 47: Duty of State to raise nutrition levelsArticle 24: Prohibition of child labor (indirectly through child welfare)

Technology Used

POSHAN Tracker AppSmartphone-based growth monitoringGIS mapping of Anganwadi centers

Success Stories

Kota Nutrition Drive

Key Takeaways

  • Targets reduction of Stunting, Under-nutrition, and Anemia
  • Emphasis on 1000 days of life
  • Use of 'Poshan Tracker' for real-time monitoring
  • Promotion of Poshan Vatikas (Nutri-gardens)

Probable Questions

Examine the effectiveness of POSHAN Abhiyaan in addressing the 'Triple Burden of Malnutrition' in India.

MediumHigh

Mains Answer Fodder

Answer fodder for Malnutrition: 1. Life-cycle approach (covering adolescent girls, pregnant women, and children). 2. 1000-Day Window: Criticality of nutrition from conception to age two. 3. POSHAN Tracker: Real-time monitoring of growth markers. 4. Convergence: Linking Swachh Bharat and Jal Jeevan for better nutrient absorption.

Convergence Schemes

  • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
  • Swachh Bharat Mission
  • Jal Jeevan Mission

Sector Tags

HealthWomen and Child DevelopmentSocial Sector