10 facts to know about Poshan Abhiyan and India’s nutrition mission

The government has launched the seventh edition of Poshan Pakhwada (Nutrition Fortnight), which is a key part of the Poshan Abhiyaan. Poshan Pakhwada 2025, which will run from April 8 to 22, focuses on the first thousand days of child’s life, which is a critical period for child development.

Here are 10 points on Poshan Abhiyaan, India’s flagship programme aimed at reducing malnutrition in children (0–6 years), adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

What is Poshan Abhiyan?

Poshan Abhiyan was launched on March 8, 2018, in Rajasthan. Popularly referred to as the National Nutrition Mission, this transformative initiative unites multiple ministries under a common framework, aiming to build a malnutrition-free India.

While India has long had several nutrition-related programmes, the lack of synergy and coordination among them has been a major roadblock.

Poshan Abhiyaan addresses this gap by building a strong convergence mechanism.

Also Read: Gujarat's Poshan 2.0 conundrum: Central funding up, beneficiaries down

It aims to synchronise efforts, enhance efficiency, and ensure that every component of the system works in harmony toward a unified objective: improved nutrition for everyone.

Four key pillars

The mission is built on four key pillars:

• Quality Service Access through schemes such as ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services), NHM (National Health Mission), and PMMVY (Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana).

• Cross-sector Coordination among various sectors, including sanitation (Swachh Bharat Mission) and clean drinking water (National Drinking Water Mission).

• Technology Integration through tools like the Poshan Tracker App.

• Community Engagement via initiatives such as Jan Andolan.

Also Read: Malnutrition behind 69% deaths among children in India: UNICEF

Goals and targets

Poshan Abhiyan aims to reduce stunting, undernutrition, low birth weight, and anaemia among children.

The mission is also deeply committed to promoting the health and nutritional well-being of pregnant women and lactating mothers.

It seeks to empower communities by improving access to nutrition services and education, thereby creating greater awareness around health and nutrition.

A key focus of the initiative is the expansion of essential services through the convergence of multiple schemes across health, education, nutrition, and sanitation sectors—ensuring these services reach everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

Tech-driven tracker

India is blending technology with tradition to combat malnutrition through the Poshan Tracker app.

Launched in 2021, the app digitises records and enables Anganwadi workers to track children’s growth, meal intake, and health data in real time—ensuring transparency and improved service delivery.

Now, during Poshan Pakhwada 2025, families too can participate. Pregnant women, new mothers, and parents of young children can register themselves and track their nutrition progress through the app.

This smart system ensures no child is left behind, merging modern technology with India’s grassroots health network to build a healthier future.

Also Read: Bengal children fight malnutrition as COVID halts daily dose of meals

Why 1,000 days?

The first 1,000 days—from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday—are vital for physical and brain development.

This period is critical for a child's growth and development.

Poshan Abhiyan stresses breastfeeding, maternal care, and balanced diets during this window.

Poshan Pakhwada 2025

The 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada (April 8–23) focuses on maternal nutrition, Poshan Tracker usage, CMAM protocol for acute malnutrition, and tackling childhood obesity.

Poshan Pakhwada plays a vital role in addressing the nutritional challenges that the country faces.

It is a nationwide campaign aimed at combating malnutrition and promoting healthy lifestyles.

This year’s Poshan Pakhwada focuses on 4 key themes:

1. Care during the first 1,000 days of life.

2. Popularisation of the beneficiary module of the Poshan Tracker.

3. Effective management of malnutrition.

4. Promoting a healthy lifestyle to address childhood obesity.

Also Read: 'Tiranga' meals helping Jharkhand villagers fight malnutrition

Poshan Pakhwada initiatives

• Nutrition sensitisation camps to educate communities about the importance of proper nutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days of life.

• Regular monitoring of children’s growth to detect early signs of malnutrition and provide timely interventions.

• Ensuring accurate data collection through Aadhaar verification on the Poshan Tracker, which will streamline service delivery and reduce registration delays.

• Leveraging communication tools such as nukkad nataks, community radio, and celebrity-led campaigns to spread awareness and encourage positive behavioural change.

CMAM protocol

Introduced in 2023, the Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) equips Anganwadi workers to detect and treat malnutrition early, transforming each Anganwadi into a care hub.

The CMAM approach focuses on treating severe acute malnutrition in children. It aims to strengthen community-based interventions for early detection and treatment of malnutrition.

Also Read: Karnataka brings plurality to plates in times of malnutrition, food policing

Obesity alert

While undernutrition is a concern, childhood obesity has been increasing at an alarming rate.

According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019–21), the percentage of children under five who are overweight rose from 2.1% in 2015–16 to 3.4%.

Thus families and schools are encouraged to curb junk food, encourage physical activity, and offer healthy snacks to combat childhood obesity.

Jan Andolan drive

The Jan Andolan drive calls for the active involvement of all sectors and citizens in a nationwide effort to eliminate malnutrition.

Poshan Abhiyan promotes public participation through street plays, awareness camps, and campaigns that highlight the importance of healthy eating and hygiene practices.

Through its thematic and community-driven initiatives, the campaign aims to empower families and communities to make informed nutritional choices

Also Read: India slips in malnutrition parameters for children and women

India’s nutrition future

From over 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres to over 10 crore beneficiaries, Poshan Abhiyan is shaping a national movement toward nutrition, blending grassroots wisdom with digital innovation.

Poshan Pakhwada plays a crucial role in tackling the nutritional challenges India faces today.

By emphasising early childhood nutrition and community-based interventions, it strives to reduce malnutrition and improve health outcomes, especially among vulnerable groups.

The integration of technology—particularly the Poshan Tracker application—enhances the efficiency of service delivery, ensuring that nutritional support reaches those who need it most.