Poshan Abhiyaan 2.0: Strengthening India's Nutrition Revolution - IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Policy Update
Arjun Brij

Introduction

Launched on March 8, 2018, the Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) is India’s flagship initiative for improving the nutritional status of children, pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and other vulnerable groups. It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and is aimed at reducing stunting, undernutrition, anemia, and low birth weight through a convergent approach involving multiple ministries.

Background

The genesis of Poshan Abhiyaan can be traced to the critical findings of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015–16), which revealed that 38.4% of children below five years were stunted, 21% were wasted, and 35.7% were underweight. Acknowledging that piecemeal interventions were inadequate to counter deep-rooted nutritional deficits, the mission was envisioned as a multi-sectoral initiative, synergizing efforts across health, sanitation, education, and agriculture under a unified policy framework.

Originally scheduled for completion by 2022, Poshan Abhiyaan was restructured and extended through integration with the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 initiative (2021–2026), thereby ensuring continuity in the pursuit of health and hunger-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The programme’s beneficiary base comprises pregnant women, lactating mothers, children aged 0–6 years, and adolescent girls, with a focus on marginalised and underserved populations. Its core strategy is embedded in the Jan Andolan approach, a nationwide behavioural change campaign aimed at fostering collective civic engagement around nutritional well-being.

Functioning

Poshan Abhiyaan’s operational architecture is predicated on convergence, real-time monitoring, incentivization, and community engagement. The cornerstone of this system is the Poshan Tracker, a digital platform designed to oversee service delivery and outcomes across more than 13.9 lakh Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) nationwide. To facilitate accurate data collection, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) are equipped with smartphones and tablets to record anthropometric measurements, monitor growth, and track service provision.

The programme advocates for regular Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs) and Community-Based Events (CBEs) to disseminate information and deliver services. It emphasizes home-based care for young children (HBYC) below the age of three and prioritizes interventions during the “first 1000 days” of a child’s life, widely recognized as a critical developmental window.

Despite these commendable efforts, several implementation challenges persist. Technological barriers, including erratic functioning of the Poshan Tracker and limited digital literacy among AWWs, have hindered real-time data capture. Evaluations by NITI Aayog (2022) and the Parliamentary Standing Committee (2023) have flagged inconsistencies between NFHS data and Poshan Tracker metrics. Additionally, uneven coordination among departments at the grassroots level has diluted the programme’s intended collaborative model.

Performance (2021–2024)

The performance trajectory between 2021 and 2024 has been mixed, combining measurable gains with recurring impediments. According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Annual Report (2024), 10.11 crore individuals have been registered under the scheme. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest participation at over 2.11 crore, followed by Bihar at 1.03 crore.

NFHS-5 (2019–21) indicates moderate nutritional improvements: stunting decreased to 35.5%, wasting to 19.3%, and underweight prevalence to 32.1%. While progress is evident, these figures fall short of the programme’s projected targets.

Financial allocations have steadily risen. In the Union Budget 2025–26, the Ministry received ₹26,889.69 crore, an increase from ₹23,182.98 crore in the revised 2024–25 estimate. Of this, ₹21,960 crore has been specifically allotted for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.

States like Odisha, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh have reported significant gains, attributed to robust integration with initiatives such as the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programme. Conversely, regions like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand show limited progress, suggesting implementation bottlenecks.

Impact

The initiative has markedly influenced India’s nutritional ecosystem, although structural deficiencies remain. There has been a surge in public awareness about optimal feeding practices, exclusive breastfeeding, and hygiene—largely driven by the Jan Andolan movement. Maternal health indices, including antenatal registrations and iron-folic acid distribution, have also shown improvement.

The programme’s influence extends beyond nutrition. Linkages with schemes such as PM POSHAN (mid-day meals) and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) have contributed to higher school attendance and improved maternal care. The Economic Survey (2023–24) projects a potential 3% GDP increase by 2030, driven by human capital enhancement via nutritional reforms.

Yet, challenges remain. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report (2024) highlights underutilisation of funds, delays in infrastructure upgrades at AWCs, and lapses in growth monitoring. Nutritional disparities in urban slums and among tribal communities also persist.

Emerging Challenges

Despite achievements, emerging obstacles threaten to impede long-term success. Chief among them is the technological shortfall. The Poshan Tracker has yet to achieve intended functionality due to weak internet infrastructure, software limitations, and inadequate digital training for AWWs. These deficits impair real-time data reliability and program oversight.

Furthermore, convergence remains poorly implemented. Although inter-sectoral collaboration is a core principle, operational silos at the district and block levels undermine its effectiveness. This results in a fragmented delivery model, contrary to the envisioned synergy.

Anemia continues to be an unresolved public health issue. NFHS-5 data show an increase in anemia among women aged 15–49, rising from 53% in NFHS-4 to 57%. This signals an urgent need for recalibrated interventions, particularly in iron supplementation and deworming efforts.

Urban malnutrition is also becoming a pressing concern. While rural areas have benefitted from focused interventions, urban slums and informal settlements are under-served. The rural-centric programme architecture lacks tailored strategies for urban contexts. Compounding this is the infrequent use of third-party evaluations, which diminishes programme accountability and stifles adaptive governance.

Path Forward

Accelerating progress under Poshan Abhiyaan necessitates strategic recalibration. The Poshan Tracker should be upgraded for offline use and simplified for field operatives. Establishing regional tech-support centres and institutionalising regular training will bridge the digital divide.

District-specific plans, informed by granular data, can tailor interventions to local contexts. Empowering Panchayati Raj institutions in planning and monitoring will enhance ownership and accountability at the grassroots level.

Convergence must be operationalised through co-located services, shared reporting frameworks, and synchronised planning among relevant departments. Strengthening coordination with programmes such as Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission can amplify overall health and nutrition impacts.

Urban malnutrition requires dedicated focus through targeted interventions in slums, migrant hubs, and peri-urban settlements. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be mobilised for innovative solutions such as fortified foods, urban nutrition gardens, and mass communication campaigns. Regular third-party audits and community-based monitoring must also be institutionalised to ensure transparency.

Conclusion

Poshan Abhiyaan stands as India’s most expansive and integrative strategy to address malnutrition and improve public health. Over the past six years, the programme has mainstreamed nutrition within developmental paradigms, fostered civic participation, and bolstered several health indicators. Nonetheless, its future success depends on sustained innovation and policy responsiveness.

Technological fragilities, coordination breakdowns, entrenched anemia, and urban nutritional disparities point to the need for recalibrated implementation. A convergence-led, community-anchored, and data-intensive strategy—backed by robust investment and third-party validation—can enable the mission to realise its potential. With committed effort, Poshan Abhiyaan can catalyse a transformative shift towards a well-nourished and resilient India.

References

Ministry of Women and Child Development. (2024). Annual report 2023–24. https://wcd.nic.in
Ministry of Women and Child Development. (2021). Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 guidelines. https://wcd.nic.in
NITI Aayog. (2022). Evaluation of the impact of Poshan Abhiyaan. https://www.niti.gov.in
Comptroller and Auditor General of India. (2024). Audit report on implementation of Poshan Abhiyaan. https://cag.gov.in
Ministry of Finance. (2024). Economic Survey 2023–24: Section on Health and Nutrition. https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey
Press Information Bureau. (2023). PIB press releases on Poshan Maah 2023.https://pib.gov.in
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2021). National Family Health Survey–5 (NFHS–5). http://rchiips.org/nfhs.