A Study of the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) Framework, 2010: Bridging Gaps in Adolescent Welfare

Policy Update
Diva Bhatia

Background

The Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) was launched in 2010 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to cater to the nutritional and developmental requirements of out-of-school girls between the ages of 11–14 years. The scheme was launched with the aim of enhancing their health and nutritional levels, encouraging them to resume formal schooling and imparting life skills training.

But with the Right to Education Act, 2009, coming into force, which makes education free and compulsory for children in the age group of 6–14 years, the need for SAG for the 11–14 age group diminished. The scheme was therefore modified under Mission Poshan 2.0 to target adolescent girls between the ages of 14–18 years, especially in Aspirational Districts and North Eastern States, with a lifecycle approach to malnutrition (Press Information Bureau, 2022).

Functioning

Under Poshan 2.0, SAG operates through the existing Anganwadi Centre (AWC) network, enhanced by digital tools and multi-sectorial convergence. The scheme provides supplementary nutrition in the form of Take-Home Rations (THR) containing 600 calories and 18–20 grams of protein for 300 days a year. Additionally, Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation, health check-ups, referral services, nutrition and health education and life skills training are provided to the beneficiaries (Press Information Bureau 2022).

The implementation is monitored through the Poshan Tracker App, which enables real-time data collection and monitoring of service delivery. The Kishori Health Card is maintained at AWCs to record longitudinal data on nutrition, health checks and referrals. Peer educators are trained to disseminate information on nutrition, reproductive health and life skills, organizing community events and mother’s group meetings to raise awareness.

Performance (2020–2023) 

Between 2020 and 2023, SAG under Poshan 2.0 has shown significant progress. By March 2022, 9.84 crore beneficiaries had been on boarded on the Poshan Tracker app with 85.63% Aadhaar linkage, laying the groundwork for robust adolescent girl enrolment in subsequent years . Between 2020 and 2023, the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) under Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 witnessed marked expansion in both outreach and service delivery mechanisms (Press Information Bureau, 2024) .

In its inaugural year (2022–23), 22.70 lakh adolescent girls aged 14–18 years across Aspirational and North‑Eastern districts registered on the Poshan Tracker app, enabling comprehensive digital monitoring of nutritional and health interventions. Supplementary nutrition provision scaled up through approximately 13.97 lakh Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) nationwide, ensuring delivery of fortified Take‑Home Rations (THR) for 300 days annually, underpinned by allocation of 12,26,115 metric tonnes of fortified rice in FY 2022–23. In September 2023 alone, 20.9 million beneficiaries—including adolescent girls—received THR for at least 21 days, a five‑fold increase from 4.1 million in July 2022, demonstrating strengthened supply‑chain efficacy.

To reinforce last‑mile delivery, 95.39% of Poshan Tracker registrants were Aadhaar‑verified, and since May 2023, 5.82 crore SMS alerts have been dispatched to remind beneficiaries of THR pick‑up and IFA schedules (Press Information Bureau, 2025). Geo‑mapping of nearly 12 lakh AWCs in collaboration with BISAG‑N improved targeted resource planning.  Infrastructure upgrades under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme doubled the unit cost for AWC construction from ₹7 lakh to ₹12 lakh, enhancing facility durability and service consistency.

The scheme’s backbone comprises 7,074 fully operational projects and over 1.39 million AWCs, underpinning its extensive reach. At the state level, Haryana’s 2020–21 dashboard recorded 3,200 beneficiaries, with 3,154 health check‑ups, 3,153 nutrition education sessions, and activation of 1,057 Kishori Samooh and 1,053 Sakhi/Saheli trainings, underscoring effective local mobilization (Women and Child Development Department, Haryana, 2021) . In Odisha, SAG’s focus on ten Aspirational Districts, at a cost of ₹9.50 per beneficiary, highlights targeted fiscal prioritization in high‑need areas (Department of Women and Child Development, Odisha, 2023). Furthermore, budgetary outlay for Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 reached ₹25,449 crore in 2023–24, a 6% rise over the previous period, underlining government prioritization of adolescent health initiatives (PRS, 2023) .

Impact

The revised SAG under Poshan 2.0 has made significant contributions to the health and well-being of adolescent girls. Pilot districts reported a decrease in moderate to severe anaemia among adolescent girls from 42% in 2021 to 31% in 2023, based on Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) data. Systematic Body Mass Index (BMI) screening resulted in the early detection of 120,000 vulnerable adolescent girls, who were provided with targeted therapeutic feeding.

Institutional healthcare contacts of adolescent girls rose by 18% year-to-year because of AFHC referrals and ASHAs follow-ups. Contraceptive counselling and the use of reversible methods increased by 12% in age-specific clusters. Sanitary napkin usage increased from 64% to 82% among the beneficiaries after nutrition and health education counselling sessions and 75% of the AWCs created incinerators for disposal.

In economic and educational returns, 57% of the 225,000 2022-23 certified trainees found employment or set up as entrepreneurs in six months. Around 138,000 out-of-school adolescent girls benefited through open schooling or bridge courses under referrals and school drop-out rates among target districts went down by 9%.

Emerging Issues

Albeit the progress, there are a number of challenges remaining in SAG implementation under Poshan 2.0. Supply chain disruptions in hilly and far-flung regions result in delays in THR delivery by 10–15 days, impacting consistency. Aadhaar seeding is partially done at 88%, and this creates duplicate records and makes targeted cash-transfer pilots challenging. Strong inter-departmental coordination is seen in about 60% of the districts; the rest report siloed planning and budget issues (Press Information Bureau, 2023).

Human-resource deficiencies are apparent, with most AWCs having only one employee rather than the authorized two, overextending the workforce and compromising the quality of peer-educator training. Infrastructure inadequacies also exist, with just 62% of planned AFHCs being fully equipped; the others do not have privacy booths or basic medical equipment. Moreover, standardized training modules occasionally mismatch local market needs, resulting in fewer placements in agro-horticulture and handloom industries.

Way Forward 

To overcome these challenges and increase the efficiency of SAG under Poshan 2.0, a number of steps can be taken. Improving last-mile delivery through collaboration with logistics companies and local NGOs for pre-monsoon stockpiling and door-to-door delivery in remote areas is crucial. Scaling up Poshan Tracker training to all frontline workers and testing SMS-based reminders for beneficiaries on Take-Home Ration (THR) collection and Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) timings can enhance digital inclusivity.

Institutionalizing review meetings of the SAG at the district level on a quarterly basis with clear action points, common budgets, and inter-linked Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) between ICDS, Health, Education and Skill Missions can enhance convergence. Engaging and training more Anganwadi Workers/Helpers and enhancing AFHCs with tele-consultation facilities can increase manpower and infrastructure.

Creating district-specific vocational modules in collaboration with local industry clusters and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and encouraging placement partners through outcome-based grants can localize skilling. Ordering an independent mid-term review during the fourth quarter of 2024 and incorporating real-time beneficiary feedback mechanisms within the Poshan Tracker can intensify monitoring and evaluation. Scaling up the production of biodegradable sanitary pads through village-level enterprises and streamlining disposal infrastructure in all AWCs can improve menstrual health management.

References 

About the Contributor: Diva Bhatia is a research intern at IMPRI and currently pursuing a major in Political Science with a minor in History from Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi. Her research interests include gender studies, international relations and exploring the socio-political intricacies of North East India.

Acknowledgement: The author extends sincere gratitude to Dr Arjun Kumar and Aasthaba Jadeja for their invaluable guidance and support.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.

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