India has been battling malnutrition for decades, and despite many efforts, it continues to remain a critical challenge for the nation’s development. Malnutrition directly impacts child survival, growth, cognitive development, and productivity in adulthood. Recognizing the seriousness of the issue, the Government of India restructured its existing child development and nutrition schemes into a unified mission called Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
The Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 scheme has been introduced in 2021, and this program is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). It merges and strengthens the earlier schemes under a life-cycle approach, ensuring that the nutritional needs of children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers are addressed in an integrated manner.
In this blog, we have provided all the details about the Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 scheme, its features, objectives, benefits, and more.
What is Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0?
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is an integrated nutrition support program that combines the efforts of multiple earlier schemes to address malnutrition in a structured and holistic manner. It was created by merging:
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)
- Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)
- National Creche Scheme
This mission focuses on three pillars:
- Nutrition support through Anganwadi services
- Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
- Modern and upgraded Anganwadi infrastructure
The scheme is being implemented during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021–22 to 2025–26).
Why was Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 Launched?
India ranks high in child undernutrition indicators such as stunting, wasting, and anemia. According to NFHS-5 (2019–21):
- Around 35.5% of children under 5 are stunted.
- Around 19.3% of children under 5 are wasted.
- More than 57% of women (15–49 years) are anemic.
These numbers show the urgent need for a coordinated approach to tackle malnutrition. Earlier schemes like ICDS and POSHAN Abhiyaan worked well, but they often faced challenges such as duplication of efforts, lack of monitoring, and poor infrastructure. By merging these schemes under one umbrella, the Government aimed to:
- Ensure convergence across ministries.
- Provide end-to-end services from pregnancy to early childhood.
- Improve monitoring through technology.
- Build community participation (Jan Andolan).
Objectives of Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
The scheme has multiple objectives aimed at building a healthier future generation:
- To address malnutrition among children under 6, adolescent girls (14–18 years), and pregnant and lactating women.
- To contribute to human capital development by ensuring better health and cognitive growth.
- To promote nutrition awareness and healthy food practices.
- To integrate AYUSH systems such as yoga and traditional diets for wellness.
- To align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
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Key Components of Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
The mission is divided into three major verticals:
| Component | Details |
| 1. Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) | Provides nutrition to: • Children (6 months–6 years) • Pregnant women & lactating mothers (PW&LM) • Adolescent girls (14–18 years) in aspirational and northeastern districts Also promotes the use of fortified food items, jaggery, and indigenous plants like drumstick (moringa). |
| 2. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) | • Focus on early stimulation for children (0–3 years) • Pre-school education for children (3–6 years) • Ensures foundational learning aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) |
| 3. Modern Anganwadi Infrastructure | • Development of Saksham Anganwadi centres with upgraded facilities • Better classrooms, kitchen gardens (Poshan Vatikas), and digital tools • Emphasis on safe and child-friendly environments |
Merged Schemes Under Poshan 2.0
The following schemes are integrated:
| Scheme | Year | Key Features |
| Anganwadi Services (Earlier ICDS, 1975) | 1975 | • Supplementary nutrition • Health check-ups • Immunization • Referral services • Non-formal pre-school education |
| POSHAN Abhiyaan | 8 March 2018 | • Launched by the Prime Minister • Focus on technology-based monitoring • Promotes convergence across ministries |
| Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) | Revised in Poshan 2.0 | • Nutritional support and non-nutritional services • IFA supplementation • Health check-ups • Skill-building and education support |
| National Creche Scheme | Subsumed under Poshan 2.0 | • Provides daycare facilities for children of working mothers |
How is Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 Implemented and Funded?
Implementation and funding form the backbone of any government programme. To make sure that Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 reaches the right people, the Government of India has created a strong system where responsibilities are divided between the Centre and the States.
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with cost-sharing between Centre and States/UTs.
- The Central Government looks after policy-making, planning, and monitoring.
- The State Governments/UTs handle day-to-day implementation.
- Aadhaar seeding is used to identify beneficiaries and prevent leakages.
What are the Technological Tools and Key Strategies Used in the Mission?
Technology and proper strategies are at the heart of Mission Poshan 2.0. The government uses modern digital platforms, growth tracking devices, and community-based methods to make nutrition services more effective. At the same time, it ensures that the programme follows a life-cycle approach, meaning nutrition is provided at every stage of life.
- Poshan Tracker App enables real-time monitoring of beneficiaries and services.
- Growth Measurement Devices are used to monitor weight, height, and BMI of children.
- Life-Cycle Approach ensures nutrition support at all stages – birth, early childhood, adolescence, and motherhood.
- Convergence with Ministries like Health, Education, Rural Development, and AYUSH.
- Community Participation (Jan Andolan) through awareness campaigns, community kitchens, and Poshan Maah.
- AYUSH Integration promotes yoga and traditional diets.
- Poshan Vatikas (Kitchen Gardens) in Anganwadis provide fresh fruits and vegetables.
Guidelines for Implementation:
- Beneficiaries must register with Anganwadi using Aadhaar.
- 100% growth monitoring of children targeted.
- Identification of adolescent girls (14–18 years) for nutritional support.
Why is the Scheme Important and What Challenges Exist?
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is not just a welfare programme but a long-term investment in India’s human capital. By tackling malnutrition and promoting early childhood care, it helps in building a healthier and more productive future generation. However, like any large-scale scheme, it faces challenges.
| Significance | Challenges |
| One of the world’s largest nutrition programmes | Ensuring last-mile delivery without leakages |
| Supports over 10 crore beneficiaries | Overcoming regional disparities in malnutrition |
| Helps fight malnutrition, anemia, and stunting | Improving infrastructure in remote areas |
| Ensures healthier future generations through human capital development | Sustaining community participation beyond campaigns |
| Good example of policy convergence and welfare schemes | Training and empowering Anganwadi workers |
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
| Scheme Name | Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 |
| Launched | 2021 (15th Finance Commission period: 2021–22 to 2025–26) |
| Implementing Ministry | Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) |
| Merged Schemes | Anganwadi Services (ICDS), POSHAN Abhiyaan, Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG), National Creche Scheme |
| Target Beneficiaries | Children (0–6 years), Adolescent Girls (14–18 years), Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM) |
| Key Components | Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP), Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE), Modern Anganwadi Infrastructure |
| Monitoring Tools | Poshan Tracker App, Aadhaar Integration, Growth Monitoring Devices |
| Strategies | Life-cycle approach, Convergence with ministries, Jan Andolan (community participation), AYUSH integration, Poshan Vatikas |
| Significance | One of the world’s largest nutrition programmes, supports 10+ crore beneficiaries, contributes to human capital development |
| Challenges | Last-mile delivery, regional disparities, weak infrastructure in remote areas, limited community participation, need for Anganwadi worker training |
| Way Forward | Stronger monitoring, better inter-ministerial coordination, capacity building, promotion of local food solutions, universal coverage |
Also Check:
Questions Based on Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
Q1. Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 was launched in which year?
a) 2017
b) 2018
c) 2019
d) 2021
e) 2022
Answer: d) 2021
Q2. Which ministry implements Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0?
a) Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
b) Ministry of Women & Child Development
c) Ministry of Rural Development
d) Ministry of Education
e) Ministry of Social Justice
Answer: b) Ministry of Women & Child Development
Q3. Which of the following is not a merged scheme under Poshan 2.0?
a) ICDS
b) POSHAN Abhiyaan
c) Mid-Day Meal Scheme
d) Scheme for Adolescent Girls
e) National Creche Scheme
Answer: c) Mid-Day Meal Scheme
Q4. What is the focus age group for ECCE under Poshan 2.0?
a) 0–3 years only
b) 3–6 years only
c) 0–6 years combined
d) 6–14 years
e) 14–18 years
Answer: b) 3–6 years only
Q5. Which ICT platform is used for real-time monitoring under Poshan 2.0?
a) DigiLocker
b) Poshan Tracker
c) PM Jan Suraksha Portal
d) UMANG App
e) Aarogya Setu
Answer: b) Poshan Tracker
Q6. Poshan Vatikas under Poshan 2.0 are related to:
a) Solar energy projects
b) Water harvesting systems
c) Kitchen gardens at Anganwadi centres
d) Skill development for women
e) Child vaccination camps
Answer: c) Kitchen gardens at Anganwadi centres
Q7. Who is responsible for day-to-day implementation of Poshan 2.0?
a) Central Government
b) State Governments/UTs
c) NITI Aayog
d) Finance Commission
e) Ministry of AYUSH
Answer: b) State Governments/UTs
Q8. Which Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is most closely linked to Poshan 2.0?
a) SDG 1: No Poverty
b) SDG 2: Zero Hunger
c) SDG 4: Quality Education
d) SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation
e) SDG 13: Climate Action
Answer: b) SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Q9. Which of the following services under Anganwadi Services are delivered through NHM?
a) Supplementary nutrition & pre-school education
b) Nutrition education & referral services
c) Immunization, health check-up, and referral services
d) ECCE & Poshan Vatikas
e) None of the above
Answer: c) Immunization, health check-up, and referral services
Q10. The Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) provides services to which age group?
a) 6–14 years
b) 10–14 years
c) 14–18 years
d) 18–21 years
e) Below 6 years
Answer: c) 14–18 years
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