The National Nutrition Mission (NNM), popularly known as POSHAN Abhiyaan, is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, launched on 8th March 2018 in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development with the goal of reducing malnutrition in India, especially among children (0-6 years), adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses on a life-cycle, result-oriented approach that prioritizes the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from conception to two years. The mission seeks to integrate technology, community participation, and multi-sectoral convergence to achieve a malnutrition-free India.
Why was POSHAN Abhiyaan Introduced?
Despite the existence of welfare programs such as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and Mid-Day Meal Scheme, malnutrition remained a serious challenge in India.
- High prevalence of malnutrition: According to NFHS-5 (2019-21), stunting affected 35.5% of children under 5, wasting 19.3%, and underweight 32.1%.
- Anemia among women and children: 3% reduction per year was targeted to reduce anemia prevalence.
- Low birth weight infants: POSHAN aims for a 2% annual reduction in low birth weight babies.
- Gaps in monitoring and convergence: Earlier schemes lacked real-time tracking, effective multi-ministerial coordination, and community engagement.
- Need for behaviour change: Encouraging families and communities to adopt healthy nutrition and childcare practices.
What are the Objectives of POSHAN Abhiyaan?
The National Nutrition Mission has clear objectives targeting improved nutritional outcomes and health development for women and children. These objectives include:
| Objective | Details |
| Reduce stunting and wasting | Aim to decrease stunting and wasting in children (0-6 years) by 2% annually. |
| Reduce anemia | Target a 3% annual reduction of anemia among children, women, and adolescent girls. |
| Reduce low birth weight | Strive to lower the number of low birth weight infants by 2% annually. |
| Promote behavior change and nutrition awareness | Achieve through Jan Andolan and active community participation. |
| Integrate services across ministries and schemes | Ensure coordination of various programs for holistic nutrition outcomes. |
| Ensure data-driven monitoring | Use technology platforms like ICDS-CAS and Poshan Tracker for real-time tracking. |
| Support human capital development | Improve overall health and nutrition to strengthen the population’s human capital. |
What are the Features of POSHAN Abhiyaan?
POSHAN Abhiyaan has multiple innovative and integrated features that distinguish it from earlier nutrition initiatives. Key features include:
- Convergence: Combines different nutrition programs for better results.
- Technology: Tracks progress using apps and software.
- Jan Andolan: Involves communities to promote healthy habits.
- Poshan Vatikas: Provides gardens with fruits and vegetables at schools and Anganwadis.
- Capacity Building: Trains Anganwadi workers to improve service.
- Incentives: Rewards workers for good performance.
- Nutrition: Promotes diverse, fortified, and healthy diets including millets.
- POSHAN 2.0: Combines programs and improves health and wellness infrastructure.
Check Out: Complete List of Important Schemes for NABARD Grade A Exam
What are the Five Pillars of POSHAN Abhiyaan?
POSHAN Abhiyaan is structured around five strategic pillars that guide its implementation and monitoring:
| Pillar | Details |
| ICDS-CAS | Use of Common Application Software for real-time tracking of beneficiaries; provision of smartphones and growth monitoring devices to Anganwadi workers. |
| Convergence Action Planning | Coordination between ministries and departments to align nutrition-related programs for pregnant women, children, and adolescents. |
| Capacity Building (ILA) | Training Anganwadi workers and supervisors using Incremental Learning Approach to improve service delivery. |
| Jan Andolan | Community-led campaigns for behavior change, awareness, and public participation in nutrition programs. |
| Performance Incentives | Rewarding Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and ANMs for achieving targets and improving service quality. |
How does POSHAN Abhiyaan Use Technology?
Technology plays a key role in POSHAN Abhiyaan by enabling real-time monitoring, data collection, and accountability:
- ICDS-CAS: Monitors the nutritional status of beneficiaries through digital forms.
- Poshan Tracker App: Provides user-friendly tracking for Anganwadi centers, supervisors, and beneficiaries.
- Growth Monitoring Devices: Stadiometers, infantometers, and weighing scales ensure accurate tracking of children’s growth.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: States and districts can plan interventions based on real-time data.
Get ready to crack government job exams with leading educators
What is the Role of Jan Andolan in POSHAN Abhiyaan?
Jan Andolan is a behavioral change and community mobilization campaign under POSHAN Abhiyaan. Its objectives include:
- Engaging local communities, civil society, and stakeholders to participate actively in nutrition programs.
- Organizing monthly community events, rallies, and awareness campaigns.
- Promoting healthy dietary habits, child care practices, and maternal nutrition.
- Strengthening the link between government programs and grassroots beneficiaries for sustainable nutrition outcomes.
What is the Significance of POSHAN Vatikas and Millets?
Poshan Vatikas (Nutri-Gardens) and millets play a critical role in dietary diversity and nutrition education:
| Subtopic | Details |
| Poshan Vatikas | – Provide locally grown fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants. – Support nutrition education and hands-on learning for children and communities. – Ensure micronutrient-rich diets for Anganwadi and school meals. |
| Millets | – Highly nutritious, gluten-free, rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. – Climate-resilient and locally available, supporting sustainable agriculture. – Incorporated in ICDS and Mid-Day Meal Schemes to combat malnutrition. |
What are the Achievements of POSHAN Abhiyaan?
Since its launch, POSHAN Abhiyaan has recorded significant improvements in nutritional outcomes:
- Reduction in Stunting: From 38.4% (NFHS-4) to 35.5% (NFHS-5).
- Reduction in Wasting: From 21% to 19.3%.
- Reduction in Underweight Children: From 35.8% to 32.1%.
- Improved Anemia Rates: Among children, women, and adolescent girls.
- Enhanced Monitoring: Through ICDS-CAS and Poshan Tracker App.
- Community Participation: Increased awareness via Rashtriya Poshan Maah campaigns.
- Integration of Nutrition Gardens and Millets: Strengthened dietary diversity in schools and Anganwadis.
How does Mission POSHAN 2.0 Enhance the Original Scheme?
Launched in February 2021, Mission POSHAN 2.0 consolidates overlapping nutrition programs into a single, streamlined initiative:
- Focuses on data-driven interventions.
- Strengthens infrastructure and monitoring at every level.
- Targets children, women, and adolescent girls for holistic nutrition.
- Emphasizes Jan Andolan, multi-sectoral convergence, and technological integration.
- Aims for sustainable behavior change and improved dietary diversity.
Also Check: Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0
How is POSHAN Abhiyaan Funded?
POSHAN Abhiyaan is a centrally sponsored scheme, with cost-sharing arrangements:
- 60:40 (Centre:States/UTs with legislature).
- 90:10 (Northeastern and Himalayan states).
- 100% (UTs without legislature).
Funds are used for:
- Nutritional meals and supplements.
- Capacity building and training programs.
- ICT-based monitoring tools like ICDS-CAS and Poshan Tracker.
- Awareness campaigns, Jan Andolan, and Rashtriya Poshan Maah.
What is the Role of PM POSHAN Abhiyan in Schools?
PM POSHAN Abhiyan, formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, focuses on improving nutrition for school children from Balvatika to Class VIII:
- Provides one hot cooked meal daily with calories, protein, and micronutrients.
- Promotes dietary diversity and use of local foods.
- Encourages school attendance and holistic child development.
- Incorporates school nutrition gardens to supplement meals.
- Ensures social audits and monitoring of service delivery.
Also Check: List of Government Schemes of India
What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada?
Rashtriya Poshan Maah is celebrated every year in September to raise nutrition awareness among children, women, adolescent girls, and communities. As part of this initiative, Poshan Pakhwada is observed as a fortnight-long campaign that focuses on implementing nutrition interventions at the grassroots level.
During this period, activities such as growth monitoring, nutritional counseling, distribution of fortified foods, and anemia screening are conducted to ensure effective nutrition support and promote healthy practices within the community.
What are the Challenges Faced by POSHAN Abhiyaan?
Despite its achievements, the mission faces several implementation challenges:
- Low fund utilization in some states.
- Coordination issues among different ministries and departments.
- Infrastructure gaps at rural Anganwadi centers.
- Regional disparities and logistical constraints.
- Need for extensive capacity building for frontline workers.
- Effects of COVID-19 on food security and nutrition outcomes.
What is the Significance of POSHAN Abhiyaan for India?
POSHAN Abhiyaan is crucial for national development and human capital growth:
- Combating Malnutrition: Reduces stunting, wasting, underweight, and anemia.
- Empowering Women: Ensures maternal and adolescent nutrition.
- Child Development: Supports cognitive and physical growth in the first 1,000 days.
- Public Health Improvement: Reduces disease burden through proper nutrition.
- Economic Growth: Healthy population leads to increased productivity and reduced healthcare costs.
Key Takeaway
| Aspect | Details |
| Launch Date | 8th March 2018 |
| Ministry | Women and Child Development |
| Target Group | Children 0-6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women |
| Main Objectives | Reduce stunting, wasting, underweight, anemia, low birth weight |
| Key Features | Convergence, Technology (ICDS-CAS, Poshan Tracker), Jan Andolan, Poshan Vatikas, Capacity Building |
| Five Pillars | ICDS-CAS, Convergence, Capacity Building, Jan Andolan, Performance Incentives |
| Mission POSHAN 2.0 | Streamlined approach, enhanced monitoring, holistic nutrition |
| Funding | Centrally sponsored (60:40, 90:10, 100% depending on region) |
| Key Achievements | Reduced stunting, wasting, underweight; improved anemia rates; community awareness |
| Significance | Human capital development, child and maternal health, economic growth, public health improvement |
Also Read:
Questions on National Nutrition Mission
- When was the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan) launched?
a) 2015
b) 2016
c) 2017
d) 2018
e) 2019
Answer: d) 2018 - Which ministry implements POSHAN Abhiyaan?
a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
b) Ministry of Women and Child Development
c) Ministry of Education
d) Ministry of Agriculture
e) Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: b) Ministry of Women and Child Development - What is the primary objective of POSHAN Abhiyaan?
a) Provide employment
b) Reduce malnutrition
c) Improve literacy
d) Reduce poverty
e) Promote tourism
Answer: b) Reduce malnutrition - What is the critical window of intervention under POSHAN Abhiyaan?
a) First 500 days of life
b) First 1,000 days of life
c) First 2,000 days of life
d) First 5 years of life
e) First 6 months of life
Answer: b) First 1,000 days of life - Which of the following apps is used for real-time monitoring in POSHAN Abhiyaan?
a) Aarogya Setu
b) Poshan Tracker
c) PM POSHAN App
d) ICDS-App
e) e-Samvad
Answer: b) Poshan Tracker - Which campaign promotes community involvement under POSHAN Abhiyaan?
a) Jan Andolan
b) Swachh Bharat
c) Poshan Pakhwada
d) Poshan Maah
e) Make in India
Answer: a) Jan Andolan - What is the purpose of Poshan Vatikas?
a) Employment generation
b) Provide micronutrient-rich vegetables and fruits
c) Community centers
d) Education
e) Sanitation
Answer: b) Provide micronutrient-rich vegetables and fruits - Which program was merged with POSHAN Abhiyaan to form Mission POSHAN 2.0?
a) ICDS
b) PM POSHAN
c) Supplementary Nutrition Programme
d) Janani Suraksha Yojana
e) None of the above
Answer: c) Supplementary Nutrition Programme - What is the target annual reduction of anemia under POSHAN Abhiyaan?
a) 1%
b) 2%
c) 3%
d) 4%
e) 5%
Answer: c) 3% - Which of the following is considered a key pillar of POSHAN Abhiyaan?
a) ICDS-CAS
b) Convergence
c) Jan Andolan
d) Performance Incentives
e) All of the above
Answer: e) All of the above
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Housing for All in India
- UMANG: Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance
- Smart Cities Mission, Transforming Urban India for a Sustainable Future
- National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan), Objectives, Features
- Gold Monetisation Scheme, Objectives, Features, Benefits, and Challenges
- Government Schemes for NABARD Grade A 2025
Hi, I’m Aditi. I work as a Content Writer at Oliveboard, where I have been simplifying exam-related content for the past 4 years. I create clear and easy-to-understand guides for JAIIB, CAIIB, and UGC exams. My work includes breaking down notifications, admit cards, and exam updates, as well as preparing study plans and subject-wise strategies.
My goal is to support working professionals in managing their exam preparation alongside a full-time job and to help them achieve career growth in the banking sector.