Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) – Objectives, Benefits

Poshan Abhiyaan – National Nutrition Mission Explained

What is Poshan Abhiyaan – Introduction & Meaning

Poshan Abhiyaan, also called the National Nutrition Mission (NNM), is the Government of India’s flagship program to improve the nutrition of children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. India has struggled with malnutrition for decades, leading to stunting, wasting, low birth weight, and anaemia. To address this crisis, Poshan Abhiyaan follows a lifecycle approach, focusing especially on the “first 1,000 days” of life—a critical period for growth and brain development.

For detailed program information and government updates, you can visit the POSHAN Abhiyaan official website.

Poshan Abhiyaan Launch Date & Background

On 8 March 2018, the Prime Minister launched Poshan Abhiyaan in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. This mission emerged as a multi-ministerial initiative, uniting departments such as Women & Child Development, Health, Rural Development, and Water & Sanitation. The mission’s vision aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger, which aims to end malnutrition worldwide.

PoshanAbhiyaan.gov.in Objectives & Annual Reduction Targets

The mission sets ambitious goals to improve nutrition outcomes in India:

  • Reduce stunting, underweight, and low birth weight by 2 percentage points annually
  • Lower anaemia among children, adolescent girls, and women by 3 percentage points annually

By achieving these reductions, Poshan Abhiyaan intends to build healthier generations and improve India’s Human Development Index (HDI).

Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)

PoshanAbhiyaan.gov.in Key Components & Pillars

The success of Poshan Abhiyaan depends on four main pillars:

  1. Convergence: Ministries, states, districts, and villages coordinate their actions through Convergence Action Plans.
  2. ICT-Based Real-Time Monitoring: The Poshan Tracker app monitors beneficiaries and service delivery in real time.
  3. Jan Andolan (People’s Movement): Community events, behavior change campaigns, and awareness drives encourage citizen participation.
  4. Capacity Building: Frontline workers like Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and ANMs receive training to improve service quality.

This multi-level strategy ensures action flows from the national level down to local communities.

Poshan Abhiyaan & Poshan Tracker – How Technology Drives Impact

Technology has strengthened implementation. The Poshan Tracker app helps Anganwadi workers and administrators by:

  • Identifying beneficiaries in real time
  • Using Aadhaar for verification
  • Sending reminders for home visits
  • Recording accurate service delivery data

By digitizing monitoring, the program ensures accountability and reduces service gaps.

Poshan Abhiyaan & Poshan Maah / Poshan Pakhwada Campaigns

The mission promotes awareness through annual events:

  • Poshan Maah (Nutrition Month) every September
  • Poshan Pakhwada (Nutrition Fortnight) every March

During these campaigns, communities focus on local foods, millet-based diets, Poshan Vatikas (nutrition gardens), and healthy cooking practices. For example, Poshan Maah 2025 adopted the theme #Local4Poshan, encouraging families to choose seasonal and regional foods for better health.

UNICEF also supports awareness drives during Nutrition Month, and its Poshan Maah overview highlights the role of community participation.

Mission Poshan 2.0

Mission Poshan 2.0 – How Poshan Abhiyaan Evolved

In 2021, the government launched Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, combining multiple schemes:

  • Anganwadi Services
  • Poshan Abhiyaan
  • Scheme for Adolescent Girls

This integrated approach emphasizes:

  • Maternal nutrition and Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF)
  • Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM)
  • Modernizing Anganwadi Centres into Saksham Anganwadis
  • Creating Poshan Vatikas in schools and communities

The government has issued comprehensive Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 guidelines to integrate nutrition schemes and strengthen Anganwadi services.

Governance, Convergence & Monitoring under PoshanAbhiyaan government in

NITI Aayog oversees the mission, ensuring strong governance and accountability. Convergence committees at the state, district, and block levels coordinate nutrition programs across departments. Regular evaluations, digital dashboards, and review meetings keep the mission on track.

Poshan Abhiyaan Progress Indicators & Recent Updates

NFHS-5 (2019–21) highlights India’s progress under PoshanAbhiyaan.gov.in:

  • Stunting and underweight prevalence declined compared to NFHS-4.
  • Awareness of breastfeeding and complementary feeding improved.
  • Community-led nutrition gardens spread across states.

In Poshan Maah 2025, thousands of Anganwadi Centres organized nutrition-related activities, showing the program’s growing momentum at the grassroots level.

Poshan Abhiyaan at Ground Level – Anganwadi Upgradation & Early Learning

On the ground, the mission is transforming Anganwadi Centres through Saksham Anganwadi upgrades. Key improvements include:

  • Better infrastructure with clean drinking water, sanitation, and digital tools
  • Holistic Early Learning and Child Development (ELCD) activities that combine nutrition and early education
  • Community Poshan Vatikas to provide fresh and nutritious food

These changes position Anganwadis as hubs for both nutrition and early childhood learning.

Challenges & Gaps in Poshan Abhiyaan Implementation

Despite its progress, Poshan Abhiyaan faces hurdles:

  • Rural areas still struggle with digital adoption
  • Some frontline workers need stronger training
  • Ministries sometimes face delays in convergence
  • Last-mile delivery issues remain in remote regions

Resolving these challenges is crucial for India to achieve its 2026 nutrition targets.

How Citizens & Communities Can Support Poshan Abhiyaan

The mission’s long-term success depends on public participation. Citizens can:

  • Grow and support Poshan Vatikas
  • Promote millets and local nutritious foods
  • Encourage families to adopt breastfeeding and balanced diets
  • Join Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada events

When communities lead the effort, Poshan Abhiyaan truly becomes a people’s movement.

FAQs

What is Poshan Abhiyaan and why was it launched?

The government launched PoshanAbhiyaan in 2018 to reduce malnutrition and improve nutrition for women and children.

When was Poshan Abhiyaan launched and by whom?

The Prime Minister launched it on 8 March 2018 in Rajasthan.

Who are the beneficiaries under PoshanAbhiyaan?

The program supports infants and young children up to six years, teenage girls, expectant mothers, and nursing women.

What are the main objectives and annual reduction targets?

The mission aims to reduce stunting, underweight, and low birth weight by 2% annually, and anaemia by 3% annually.

What is the Poshan Tracker app used for?

The app tracks beneficiaries, ensures transparency, and supports Anganwadi workers with real-time data.

What is Poshan Maah and when is it celebrated?

Poshan Maah is National Nutrition Month, observed every September with community awareness activities.

How is Poshan Abhiyaan related to Mission Poshan 2.0?

Mission Poshan 2.0 (2021–26) expands the scope of PoshanAbhiyaan.gov.in under an integrated framework.

What role does NITI Aayog play?

NITI Aayog monitors, evaluates, and coordinates the mission’s implementation across states.

What progress has been made so far?

NFHS-5 data shows declines in malnutrition indicators, though anaemia remains a challenge.

How can citizens participate?

People can support PoshanAbhiyaan by growing nutrition gardens, joining events, and encouraging healthy diets.

Conclusion

Poshan Abhiyaan represents India’s most ambitious effort to end malnutrition. By blending technology (Poshan Tracker), convergence across ministries, and community participation, the mission has achieved significant momentum. Under Mission Poshan 2.0, the government continues to upgrade Anganwadis, promote dietary diversity, and involve communities directly. The mission’s success will depend not only on government policies but also on the active involvement of citizens across the country.

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