Poshan Abhiyan

What is Poshan Abhiyan?

Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) is India’s national nutrition mission, launched on 8 March 2018 in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, to improve nutritional outcomes among:

• Children (0–6 years)
• Pregnant women
• Lactating mothers
• Adolescent girls

Its core aim is to reduce stunting, wasting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight through better services, behaviour change, and technology-enabled monitoring.

Today, the scheme functions as part of the broader “Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0” umbrella, which focuses on modernising Anganwadi centres and strengthening service delivery.

Importance of Poshan Abhiyan in India

Poshan Abhiyaan is critical because undernutrition in early childhood has long‑term effects on learning, productivity and health. Instead of only providing food, the mission goes further by:

• Tracking each child’s growth regularly
• Identifying nutrition gaps early
• Linking health, sanitation, education, and food services
• Involving parents in daily nutrition choices

For families, this means prevention instead of late treatment, and support at the community level, not hospitals alone.

Key Features of Poshan Abhiyan

The key features of Poshan Abhiyaan combine nutrition, technology, and community action:

• Focus on the first 1,000 days (pregnancy to age 2)
• Monthly and annual awareness drives such as Poshan Maah
• Digital growth monitoring through Poshan Tracker
• Distribution of iron, folic acid, and nutritional supplements
• Use of fortified foods where applicable
• Upgraded Saksham Anganwadi centres
• Strong linkage with PM POSHAN for school-going children
• Both the Central and State governments track progress digitally to improve service delivery.

Investment

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Coverage and Targets of Poshan Abhiyan up to 2025-26

*National surveys such as NFHS‑5 reported stunting around 35.5% and wasting about 19% among children under five, which form the baseline for ongoing improvements under Poshan Abhiyaan and related interventions.

Who Can Get Poshan Abhiyaan Benefits?

*Each eligible child or mother is tracked individually, with no family-level cap.

Documents Needed at Anganwadi Centres

To access services smoothly, families may carry:

• Child’s Aadhaar (if available)
• Mother’s health or MCP card
• Basic local identification

No bank accounts or financial paperwork are required.

How to Enrol in Poshan Abhiyaan

You can follow these simple steps to enrol your child or mother in the Poshan Abhiyan:

• Locate and visit your closest Anganwadi centre in the area.
• Share basic details of the child or mother for registration.
• Start regular growth and health monitoring during scheduled visits.
• Collect nutrition supplements, meals, and diet guidance from the centre.
• Take part in local nutrition drives and awareness programmes.
• Ensure monthly check-ups to get the maximum health benefits.

Parents are encouraged to attend monthly check-ups for best results.

Eligible and Ineligible Activities under Poshan Abhiyan

Benefits of Poshan Abhiyaan for Families

Families benefit because the scheme:

• Provides free and regular nutrition monitoring
• Reduces preventable health complications
• Encourages healthier home diets
• Builds awareness through local events
• Supports children from birth through early schooling

Common Mistakes to Avoid for Families

Poshan Tracker and Data‑Driven Monitoring

One of the most important differentiators of Poshan Abhiyaan is its strong digital infrastructure. The Poshan Tracker is a comprehensive ICT system that captures beneficiary registration, service delivery and growth monitoring at the Anganwadi level. The Poshan Tracker system enables the following:

• Provides real-time tracking of nutrition and service delivery.
• Quickly identifies children at risk of malnutrition.
• Enables better supervision by state and national authorities.
• Supports evidence-based planning and effective resource allocation.

Conclusion

Poshan Abhiyaan goes beyond providing food and supplements; it empowers families, communities, and authorities to work together for better nutrition. With its focus on early intervention, digital monitoring, and awareness campaigns, the mission ensures every child and mother receives the care they need. By making nutrition a shared responsibility, Poshan Abhiyaan is shaping a healthier, stronger, and more resilient India for the future.