9-Dec-2022: Nutrition to children under POSHAN Abhiyan

Nutritional support is provided to children (6 months to 6 years) under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme of Anganwadi Services Scheme, a component of Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 or Mission Poshan 2.0 (earlier ICDS). This is an integrated nutrition support programme approved in 2022 which aligns the key sub-components of Anganwadi Services and Poshan Abhiyaan.

Supplementary Nutrition is provided as per the nutritional norms specified under the National Food Security Act. Under Poshan 2.0, focus is on diet diversity, food fortification, leveraging traditional systems of knowledge and popularizing use of millets. Nutrition awareness strategies under Poshan 2.0 aim to develop sustainable health and well-being with focus on local, wholesome foods to bridge dietary gaps.

The implementation of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme of Anganwadi Services Scheme under Poshan 2.0 is vested with States Governments.

However, in order to streamline procurement and supply of nutrition under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme, Government has issued Streamlined Guidelines to all States/UTs on 13.01.2021, which also cover issues related to quality assurance, supply chain management, roles and responsibilities of duty holders and procedure for procurement for transparency, efficiency and accountability in delivery of supplementary nutrition. These guidelines recommend that supply chain process in the States must be made transparent for functionaries to ensure uninterrupted supply to the last mile, which are compliant with FSSAI registration-licensing process for entities involved in manufacture, storage and distribution of food to ensure food safety and hygiene.

POSHAN Abhiyaan seeks to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children under 6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers. IT systems have therefore been leveraged to strengthen and bring about transparency in nutrition delivery support systems. The ‘Poshan Tracker’ application was rolled out by this Ministry on 1stMarch 2021 through National e-Governance Division (NeGD), as an important governance tool. Technology under Poshan Tracker is being leveraged for dynamic identification of stunting, wasting, under-weight prevalence among children; and last mile tracking of nutrition service delivery.

The Poshan Tracker facilitates near real-time monitoring and tracking of all AWCs, AWWs and beneficiaries on defined indicators. Beneficiaries are being Aadhar seeded to ensure last mile tracking and delivery of services. Poshan Tracker will help Mission Poshan 2.0 in generating data, providing feedback to Program Managers and documenting the impact of scheme on nutrition indicators. The Ministry/ States/ Districts can thus make effective timely interventions, based on the data from tracker and evaluate the progress of different components.

3-Aug-2022: Awareness about Malnutrition among Women

The Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is implementing several schemes/programmes of different Ministries/Departments through States/UTs to address various aspects related to nutrition. POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched on 8th March 2018 to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children under 6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach.  A novel feature of POSHAN Abhiyaan has been its focus on social and behavioural change communications thus paving the way for a mass movement to promote transformative change, referred to as Jan Andolan. An important focus has therefore been on ‘Behaviour Change Communication’ or BCC to address inadequate and inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices, nutrition and care during pregnancy and adolescence.

Community Based Events or CBEs have served as a significant strategy in changing nutrition practices. CBEs help to celebrate critical milestones in the life of pregnant women and children below two years of age. The gatherings serve as a platform for disseminating essential messages and to counsel pregnant and lactating women, and their husbands/mothers-in-law on appropriate nutrition and health behaviour. The events are organised every month at the Anganwadi centres (AWC) and primarily focus on promotion of maternal nutrition (Godhbharai) and/ or initiation of appropriate complementary feeding (Annaprasan).

At a national level, the Rashtriya Poshan Maah is celebrated in the month of September across the country while Poshan Pakhwada is celebrated in the month of March. Themes have included overall nutrition, hygiene, water and sanitation, anaemia prevention, importance of breast-feeding, growth monitoring, role of Poshan Panchayats, AYUSH for Well-being, ‘Back to Basics – Yoga for Health’, importance of Poshan Vatikas for cultivation of local vegetables, medicinal plants/herbs and fruits at the community level, Poshan ke Paanch Sutra, cycle rallies, defeat diarrhoea campaigns, Nukkad Natak/Folk Shows, SHG meetings, etc. More than 40 crore activities have been carried out under Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada and 3.70 lakh CBEs have been conducted since the launch of the Abhiyaan across the country.

6-Apr-2022: Progress Under POSHAN Abhiyaan

Poshan Abhiyaan was launched on 8th March 2018. The progress made and achievements under POSHAN Abhiyaan, so far, are as follows:

1. Under POSHAN Abhiyaan, all the districts of 36 States/UTs have been covered for roll-out.
2. State, District and Block level Convergence meetings are held regularly in most of the States/UTs.
3. Procurement of Smart phones and Growth Monitoring Devices has been coordinated through Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Portal. States/UTs are at various stages of procurement of Smart phones and GMDs. Till date, 11.03 lakh Smart Phones and 11.94 lakh GMDs have been procured by the States/UTs.
4. A robust ICT Application “Poshan Tracker” has been conceptualised which is an overarching system, providing facilities, services and inter-linkages, and thereby also promote real time data with analytics. Around 12.63 lakh AWCs have started using the ICT Application.
5. Approx. 40+ crore Jan Andolan based activities have been conducted since the launch of the Abhiyaan.
6. Total three (4) Poshan Pakhwadas and four (4) Poshan Maahs have been conducted since the launch of the Abhiyaan. September, 2021 was celebrated as the Rashtriya Poshan Maah, wherein, 20.32 crore activities were conducted across the country.
7. 26 States/UTs have started implementing more than 50 Innovative projects, whereas 30 States/UTs have initiated implementation of Flexi Fund based activities.
8. More than 10 lakh Frontline Functionaries have been trained on thematic modules following the cascade mode of training at State, District and Block level.
9. Community Based Events (CBEs) are organized in a converged manner in Anganwadi Centres with the field functionaries. Around 3.70 crore CBEs have been organized since the launch of the Abhiyaan.

POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to reduce malnutrition in the country in a phased manner, through a lifecycle approach, by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. The targets laid down under the Abhiyaan are as under:

The estimated number of underweight, malnourished and severely malnourished children under 5 years of age is obtained under National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. As per the recent report of NFHS-5 (2019-21), the nutrition indicators for children under 5 years have improved as compared with NFHS-4 (2015-16). Stunting has reduced from 38.4% to 35.5%, Wasting has reduced from 21.0% to 19.3% and Underweight prevalence has reduced from 35.8% to 32.1%.

1-Apr-2022: PM POSHAN

The Government has approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)’ for providing one hot cooked meal in Government and Government – aided Schools from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The Scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Education. Under the Scheme, there is provision of hot cooked meal to children of pre-schools or Bal Vatika (before class I) in primary schools also in addition to the 11.80 crore children of classes I to VIII studying in 11.20 lakh schools. The Scheme is implemented across the country covering all the eligible children without any discrimination of gender and social class. The main objectives of the PM POSHAN Scheme (earlier known as Mid-Day Meal Scheme) are to address two of the pressing problems for majority of children in India, viz. hunger and education by improving the nutritional status of eligible children in Government and Government-aided schools as well as encouraging poor children, belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly and help them concentrate on classroom activities. Nutrition and food norms under the scheme are as under:

BE for 2021-22 is Rs 11,500 crore, however, the RE has been reduced to 10233.75 crore as per the outlay appraised by Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) and approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The same is likely to be sufficient as per the existing norms as progressively schools are being reopened. Accordingly, the same is proposed as BE for 2022-23.

Government launched POSHAN Abhiyaan (Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) on 8th March 2018 to address the problem of malnutrition in the country. The goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan are to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers, in a time bound manner with fixed targets as under:

The Abhiyaan aims to reduce malnutrition in the country in a phased manner, through a life cycle approach, by adopting a synergized and result oriented approach.

As per the report (2020) of the United Nations Development Programme entitled “Charting pathways out of multidimensional poverty: Achieving the SDGs,” the incidence of multidimensional poverty in India has significantly reduced from 55.1% in 2005 to 27.9% in 2015–2016.

The Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is making serious efforts to address this issue. Government implements Anganwadi Services Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and Scheme for Adolescent Girls under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) as targeted interventions for Children under 6 years, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers and Adolescent Girls, throughout the country. POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to reduce malnutrition in a phased manner, through a life cycle approach, by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. All these schemes address in one or other aspects related to nutrition and have the potential to improve nutritional outcomes in the country.

Further, Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme has been announced in budget 2021-22 for all States/UTs. It seeks to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition. Steps have been taken to improve nutritional quality and testing in accredited labs, strengthen delivery and leverage technology under Poshan Tracker to improve governance. States/UTs have been advised to promote use of AYUSH systems for prevention of malnutrition and related diseases. A programme to support development of Poshan Vatikas at Anganwadi Centres to meet dietary diversity gap leveraging traditional knowledge in nutritional practices has also been taken up. Guidelines were issued for transparency and accountability in delivery of supplementary nutrition and to track nutritional outcomes on 13.01.2021.

25-Mar-2022: POSHAN Abhiyaan

POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched on 8th March 2018 with an aim to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children under 6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. POSHAN Abhiyaan addresses malnutrition issues across the nation through components like ICT Application, Convergence, Community Mobilization, Behavioural Change & Jan Andolan, Capacity Building, Incentives and Awards, and Innovations.

Further, Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme which subsumes Supplementary Nutrition Programme and POSHAN Abhiyaan, has been announced in budget 2021-2022 for all States/UTs to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition. Steps have also been taken to improve nutritional quality and testing, strengthen delivery and leverage technology under Poshan Tracker a robust ICT enabled platform, to improve governance with regard to real time monitoring and provisioning of supplementary nutrition for prompt supervisions and management of services. The Abhiyaan empowers Anganwadi workers and Lady Supervisors by providing them with smart phones, and Growth Monitoring Devices (comprises of Stadiometer, Infantometer, Weighing Scale for Infant and Mother & Child). Further, Guidelines were issued for transparency and accountability in delivery of supplementary nutrition and to track nutritional outcomes on 13.01.2021.

The Abhiyaan has been rolled out in all the 36 States/UTs covering all the Districts across the country.

11-Feb-2022: Poshan Abhiyan

The budgetary allocation (RE) under the Poshan Abhiyan from FY 2017-18 to FY 2020-21 is Rs. 11,600.00 crores. From 2021-22, the scheme is part of Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Under POSHAN Abhiyaan, total Central funds amounting to Rs. 5256.97 crores have been released since 2017-18 and States/UTs have utilized Rs. 3572.18 crores.

As on 31st December 2021, the numbers of beneficiaries under POSHAN Abhiyaan are as follows:

All districts of the country including 112 Aspirational Districts are covered under POSHAN Abhiyaan.

As per the Revised Budgetary Allocation (RE) for Mission Poshan 2.0 (comprising POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anganwadi Services and Scheme for Adolescent Girls), there is no decrease in the Budgetary Allocation (RE) for Mission Poshan 2.0 in 2021-22 as compared to allocation in 2020-21. 

Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme seeks to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition. Steps have been taken to improve nutritional quality, strengthen delivery and leverage technology to improve governance under Poshan Tracker, a robust ICT platform, to improve governance with regard to real time monitoring of provisioning of supplementary nutrition for prompt supervisions and management of services. Government has advised States/UTs to ensure that the quality of supplementary nutrition conforms to prescribed standards laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations made thereunder. States/UTs have also been advised to promote use of AYUSH systems for prevention of malnutrition and related diseases. A programme to support development of Poshan Vatikas at Anganwadi centers to meet dietary diversity gap leveraging traditional knowledge in nutritional practices has also been taken up. Further, Streamlined Guidelines were issued on 13.01.2021 for transparency and accountability in delivery of supplementary nutrition and to track nutritional outcomes.

1-Dec-2021: Monitoring Mechanism Under Poshan Abhiyaan

Supplementary Nutrition under Anganwadi Services, primarily designed to bridge the gap between the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and the Average Daily Intake (ADI), is provided to the beneficiaries of Anganwadi Services through a network of Anganwadi Centres located across the country as per the following norms for 300 days in a year:

The scheme is universal, self-selecting and open to all the eligible beneficiaries without any pre-condition.

Government has issued Streamlined Guidelines dated 13.1.2021 under which district officials in the State are mandated to conduct periodic monitoring including surprise spot-checks, draw samples for quality testing of supplementary nutrition (THR and HCM), ensure that adequate measures for food safety and hygiene are followed throughout the supply chain etc., and undertake necessary course correction.

29-Sep-2021: Cabinet approves Continuation/Revisions/Modifications of Centrally Sponsored National Scheme for PM POSHAN in Schools for five more years

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister has approved the continuation of ‘National Scheme for PM POSHAN in Schools’ for the five year period 2021-22 to 2025-26 with the financial outlay of ₹ 54061.73 crores from the Central Government and ₹ 31,733.17 crore from State Governments & UT administrations. Central Government will also bear additional cost of about ₹ 45,000 crore on foodgrains. Therefore, the total scheme budget will amount to ₹ 1,30,794.90 crore.

Today the CCEA cleared the PM POSHAN Scheme for providing one hot cooked meal in Government and Government-aided schools from 2021-22 to 2025-26. This is a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme which covers all school children studying in Classes I-VIII of Government, Government-Aided Schools. The earlier name of the scheme was ‘National Scheme for Mid-Day Meal in Schools’ popularly known as Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The scheme covers about 11.80 crore children studying in 11.20  lakh schools across the country. During 2020-21, Government of India invested more than ₹ 24,400 crore in the scheme, including cost of about ₹ 11,500 crore on foodgrains.

Highlights of the decision that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme are as below:

1. The scheme is proposed to be extended to students studying in pre-primary or Bal Vatikas of Government and Government-aided primary schools in addition to all the 11.80 crore children from elementary classes.
2. The concept of Tithi Bhojan will be encouraged extensively. Tithi Bhojan is a community participation programme in which people provide special food to children on special occasions/festivals.
3. Government is promoting development of School Nutrition Gardens in schools to give children firsthand experience with nature and gardening. The harvest of these gardens is used in the scheme providing additional micro nutrients. School Nutrition Gardens have already been developed in more than 3 lakh schools.
4. Social Audit of the scheme is made mandatory in all the districts.
5. Special provision is made for providing supplementary nutrition items to children in aspirational districts and districts with high prevalence of Anemia.
6. Cooking competitions will be encouraged at all levels right from village level to national level to promote ethnic cuisine and innovative menus based on locally available ingredients and vegetables.
7. Vocal for Local for Atmanirbhar Bharat: Involvement of Farmers Producer Organizations (FPO) and Women Self Help Groups in implementation of the scheme will be encouraged. Use of locally grown traditional food items for a fillip to local economic growth will be encouraged.
8. Field visits for progress monitoring and inspections will be facilitated for students of eminent Universities / Institutions and also trainee teachers of Regional Institutes of Educations (RIE) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET).

6-Aug-2021: POSHAN Tracker Application

POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to reduce malnutrition in the country in a phased manner, through a life cycle approach, by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. The Programme strives to induce behavioural change through nutrition centric Jan Andolan in the form of Poshan Pakhwadas and Poshan Maahs. The target for reducing the prevalence of stunting among children under 5 years is by 2% per annum and anemia among children under 5 years is by 3% per annum.

Poshan Tracker management application provides a 360-degree view of the activities of the Anganwadi Centre (AWC), service deliveries of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and complete beneficiary management for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children. Simultaneously, the mobile application also digitizes and automates physical registers used by AWWs that helps improving their quality of work.

The AWWs are being provided Smartphones procured through Government e-Market (GeM) for efficient service delivery. A total of 8.66 lakhs Smartphones have been procured by 32 States/UTs. Further, AWW and Lady Supervisor (LS) are being provided ₹200/- per month for recharging of smart phones.

Government has organised training of AWWs to facilitate use of Poshan Tracker by them and till date, more than 6.5 lakhs AWWs have been trained. Further, Ministry has sent a communication dated 2nd February 2021 to States/UTs regarding appointment of Nodal Person for providing technical support and resolving any issue about downloading the new Poshan Tracker application and its functioning.

6-Aug-2021: Malnutrition Free India

POSHAN Abhiyaan is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the vision to ensure attainment of malnutrition free India. POSHAN Abhiyaan provides a platform to converge the activities of various stakeholders towards attaining the goal of ‘Suposhit Bharat’. Under POSHAN Abhiyaan the high impact interventions of 18 Ministries/Departments have been mapped-out, especially during the first 1,000 days of child life since conception. Each Converging Ministry/Department prepare action plan related to nutrition and integrate it in their ongoing activities.

To ensure effective Convergence at State level, the Chief Secretary is required to chair the Convergence Action Plan (CAP) meeting on quarterly basis. Similarly, DC/DMs also need to take CAP meeting on quarterly basis. During the year 2020-21, 30 States/UTs submitted Convergence Action Plans (CAPs).

As a result of inter-ministerial convergence, Poshan Maah 2020 witnessed unprecedented participation while following COVID-19 protocols.

POSHAN Abhiyaan encourages States/UTs to take up replicable nutrition centric Innovations with a budgetary allocation of 27.85 lakhs per district for the entire duration of the project. As per the guidelines, States/UTs may choose any innovation pilot and scale it up as per requirement and progress. With regard to the status of innovation in all the States/UTs, 26 States/UTs have got their innovation plan approved by the SLSC and have started the implementation process.

To expand and replicate the proven nutrition centric innovative models, POSHAN Abhiyaan further provisions for Flexi-funds, given to States/UTs as 7% of the total of all programmatic components under Abhiyaan.

To emulate the policies of those States/UTs that have been successful in improving health and malnutrition, POSHAN Abhiyaan provisions for Incentive Awards. Ministry of WCD has recognized significant contributions of State Governments, District teams, Block level teams and Field Functionaries at the POSHAN Abhiyaan Award Ceremony for 2018-19 held on 23rd August, 2019.

5-Aug-2021: Progress in Poshan Abhiyaan

POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched on 8thMarch, 2018, with an objective to reduce malnutrition from the country in a phased manner and achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner.

Focusing on the aims of POSHAN Abhiyaan, Mission Poshan 2.0 (Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0) announced in budget 2021-2022 across States/UTs, is an integrated nutrition support programme, to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition.

The recently released report of NFHS-5 is available only for 22 States/UTs.

During the pandemic, as per the MHA guidelines, all Anganwadi Centres across the country were closed to limit the impact of COVID-19. However, to ensure continuous nutritional support to Anganwadi beneficiaries, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers distributed Supplementary Nutrition at the doorsteps of beneficiaries once in 15 days and have distributed medicines as per requirement.

Under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna (PMMVY) from 1st April 2020 to 30th June 2021, 76.19 Lakhs new beneficiaries have been enrolled and 84.54 Lakhs beneficiaries have been disbursed funds amounting to Rs 2,885.73 crores.

Further, an advisory was issued on 29th April, 2021 to Chief Secretaries/Administrators of all State/UTs and District Collectors/ District Magistrates of all districts regarding One stop Centres, Women Helplines and designated officials under various women related legislations to remain operational during the Covid 19 lockdown period. Another advisory was issued on 1st May, 2021 to Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of all States/UTs to ensure that pregnant women are provided safe and quick health service at the time of their need. Government also sent communication to all States/UTs on 2nd June, 2021 regarding measures to be taken for care and protection of children effected due to Covid-19.

30-Jul-2021: Nutritional Rehabilitation

POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched on 8th March, 2018, with an objective to reduce malnutrition from the country in a phased manner and achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner.

Focusing on the aims of POSHAN Abhiyaan, Mission Poshan 2.0 (Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0) announced in budget 2021-2022 across States/UTs, is an integrated nutrition support programme, to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition.

The data on nutrition indicators that is stunting, wasting and underweight among children under 5 years as captured by National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4 and NFHS-5), and Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) is annexed as Annexure I. The recently released report of NFHS-5 is available only for 22 States/UTs.

During the pandemic, as per the MHA guidelines, all Anganwadi Centres across the country were closed to limit the impact of COVID-19. However, to ensure continuous nutritional support to Anganwadi beneficiaries, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers distributed Supplementary Nutrition at the doorsteps of beneficiaries once in 15 days and have distributed medicines as per requirement.

23-Jul-2021: A total of 8.66 lakhs Smartphones Procured by 32 States/UTs under POSHAN Abhiyaan for Anganwadi Workers

Under POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anganwadi workers (AWWs) are empowered with the provision of Smartphones procured through Government e-Market (GeM) for efficient service delivery. In addition, States/UTs are advised to introduce transparent processes for procurement of mobile phones as per GFR and vigilance guidelines. A total of 8.66 lakhs Smartphones have been procured by 32 States/UTs.

The mobile application of POSHAN Abhiyaan digitizes and automates physical registers used by Anganwadi workers. This saves the time of AWWs and AWHs, and improves the quality of their work while simultaneously allowing them real-time monitoring.

22-Jul-2021: Targets Achieved through Anganwadi Centres

In order to achieve the Anganwadi Services objectives, a package of six services comprising (i) Supplementary nutrition; (ii) Pre-school non-formal education; (iii) nutrition & health education; (iv) immunization; (v) health check-up; and (vi) referral services are provided to the targeted beneficiaries i.e. all children below 6 years, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers. Three of the six services namely Immunisation, Health Check-up and Referral Services are delivered through Public Health Infrastructure under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

All the children in the age group 6 months to 6 years, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers are eligible for services under Anganwadi Services. Anganwadi Services is a self-selecting scheme and no targets are fixed for the beneficiaries of either Supplementary Nutrition or Pre-school non-formal education. As on 31.03.2021, there are 675.07 lakh children and 156.73 lakh Pregnant and Lactating Mothers receiving Supplementary Nutrition at Anganwadi Centres.

From time to time Government has taken many steps for improving the conditions of Anganwadi Centres across the country. These include provision of construction of Anganwadi Centres under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and provision of drinking water and sanitation facilities under Swachhta Action Plan (SAP).

There have been sustained engagements with State Governments for review and improvement including recent interactions to discuss different implementation related issues such as Anganwadi Infrastructure, non-operationalisation of Anganwadi Centres, filling of vacancies of Anganwadi Services functionaries and smooth delivery of services to the beneficiaries to strengthen services. Further, streamlined guidelines were issued on 13.01.2021, covering several aspects such as quality assurance, roles and responsibilities of duty holders, procedure for procurement, integrating AYUSH concepts, Data management and Monitoring through "Poshan Tracker".

'Poshan Tracker', a robust ICT enabled digital platform, has been launched in March, 2021 to ensure real time monitoring of provisioning of supplementary nutrition by use of data analytics for prompt supervision and management of services. The system shall enable real-time monitoring and tracking of all AWCs, AWWs and beneficiaries on defined indicators.

Anganwadi Services (under Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services Scheme) was launched in 1975 with the objectives (i) to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years; (ii) to lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child; (iii) to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout; (iv) to achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development; and (v) to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.

25-Mar-2021: Poshan Abhiyan

POSHAN Abhiyaan seeks to convert the agenda of improving nutrition into a Jan Andolan involving Panchayati raj institutions/village organizations, etc. Jan Andolan aims to address the issue of malnutrition through behaviour change by adopting a convergent approach.

For alleviation of malnutrition including the problem of wasting, Government has taken measures to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition. Steps have been taken to improve nutritional quality and testing in accredited labs, strengthen delivery and leverage technology to improve governance. Government has advised States/UTs to ensure that the quality of supplementary nutrition conforms to prescribed standards laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations made there under. States/UTs have been advised to promote use of AYUSH systems for prevention of malnutrition and related diseases. A programme to support development of Poshan Vatikas at Anganwadi centres to meet dietary diversity gap leveraging traditional knowledge in nutritional practices has also been taken up.

6-Mar-2020: Poshan Abhiyaan

Government is implementing POSHAN Abhiyaan (earlier known as National Nutrition Mission) since 18th December 2017 to address the problem of malnutrition in the country. To ensure a holistic approach, all districts of States/UTs have been covered in the Abhiyaan. The goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan are to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers, in a time bound manner during the three years with fixed targets as under:

The Abhiyaan aims to reduce malnutrition in the country in a phased manner, through a life cycle approach, by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. There is no separate target for different cities and metros.

The results of the POSHAN Abhiyaan can be known after the programme has completed its approved period. However, in the meantime, as per the report of Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) conducted by UNICEF, prevalence of stunting and underweight among children is 34.7%and 33.4% respectively, which is an improvement and reduction from the levels reported in National Family Health Survey-4, which were 38.4% and 35.7% respectively.

10-Oct-2019: WCD Minister chairs 5th National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges

The Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, chaired the 5th National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges in New Delhi.

In her keynote address Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister said that a humane solution has to be developed to tackle the menace of malnutrition in India and for this the economic benefits of investing in nutrition has to be highlighted and propagated. WCD Minister quoted the World Bank Global Nutrition Report - 2018 which says that malnutrition costs India at least USD 10 billion annually in terms of lost productivity, illness and death and is seriously retarding improvements in human development and further reduction of childhood mortality. POSHAN is an exercise for life for all citizens and should not be limited to women and children.

The WCD Ministry along with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Deendayal Research Institute is developing a POSHAN atlas to map the crops and food grains grown in different regions of the country because the solution to tackling malnutrition lies in promoting regional cropping patterns and embracing local food that are rich in protein.

WCD Minister suggested that in order to acknowledge the unsung heroes of the POSHAN Abhiyaan, who work tirelessly and selflessly for the cause of nutrition like the Anganwadis and ASHA workers, a system of ranking of states on health and nutritional parameters may be developed and for this NITI Aayog may develop a framework for the states to rank districts. Minister further suggested that the process of ranking may involve citizens and civil society.

During the meeting of the Council, presentations were made by the Ministry of WCD, NITI Aayog and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding implementation of the POSHAN Abhiyaan by the states. Discussions took place in detail about the challenges being faced in aspirational districts and in the states that are lagging behind. The need for capacity building and improving the quality of health workers has to take place on war footing so that all Anganwadi workers may be trained in the use of smartphone and other tools to upload the data on the dashboard successfully. Success stories of innovative schemes by states and initiatives to tackle malnutrition were shared during the discussions. It was decided to document all good practices of the states and the innovative schemes that were implemented during the POSHAN Maah observed in September this year.

WCD Ministry placed before the Council the report of the POSHAN Maah observed in September 2019. During the month long POSHAN Abhiyaan 22 lakh programmes were held and 3.66 crore activities were organised in different parts of the country. Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND) programmes were also organised in 7.86 lakh places.

For the success of POSHAN Maah WCD Minister visited 9 states, met 11 Chief Ministers and Governors, along with officials of the NITI Aayog and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and appealed to them to participate and support the POSHAN Abhiyaan of the Government of India. WCD Minister personally wrote letters to Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assemblies, district panchayat presidents and city mayors appealing to them to whole heartedly be a part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan. WCD Ministry also held a workshop to guide the states for the POSHAN Abhiyaan. Regular reviews were held with the State Government officials. WCD Minister held video conferences with District Magistrates of the aspirational districts and she also reviewed the work being done during the POSHAN Maah with states and Union Territories through video conferences.

The WCD Minister thanked Prime Minister of India for taking up the subject of POSHAN during Man ki Baat on 25th August 2019 which had a country wide impact. She also thanked all State Governments and District Administration for making the POSHAN Maah a success. However, she stressed that this battle may not be restricted to only one month in a year but has to be fought every day if India has to eradicate the scourge of malnutrition, stunting and wasting.

The 5th National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges was attended by Secretary WCD, Rabindra Panwar, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Swati Singh, WCD Minister, Uttar Pradesh, Mamta Bhupesh, Minister of WCD, Rajasthan and other senior officials from Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Agriculture, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Rural Development, Tribal Affairs, Panchayati Raj, Consumer Affairs and Food, Finance, Human Resource Development, Housing and Urban Affairs, Information and Broadcasting and Environment Forest and Climate Change. The Council was also attended by representatives of Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Nutrition, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India, Tata Trust, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and World Bank.

The National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges is mandated to provide policy directions to address India’s nutritional challenges through a coordinated inter sectoral action; coordinate and review convergence between Ministries; and review programmes for nutrition on a quarterly basis.

23-Aug-2018: National level Orientation workshop for celebrating the month of September as Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) held in New Delhi

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India organized an orientation workshop for various stakeholders participating in the Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) being celebrated in the month of September. The workshop was held in New Delhi today.

Addressing the workshop, the WCD Minister, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said that there can be a complete turnaround in the area of malnutrition if the Poshan Mission is taken up on war footing as was the case in the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme. Celebrating the Poshan Maah in the form of a drive will give an early thrust to the Poshan Abhiyan. It is for the first time in 40 years that a proper monitoring of the ICDS system has started. She urged the District Magistrates to identify fake beneficiaries under the ICDS programme as fast as possible. This will help to save money which can then be used for improving the quality of food. It is now time to clearly decide the quality of food, the delivery mechanism and outline the responsibilities of anganwadi workers to make the system completely efficient so that it brings ultimate benefit to the children being covered under the ICDS scheme.

The Workshop focused on sensitizing the line Ministries, States/UTs and District level functionaries and partners on various aspects of Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) being celebrated during the month of September across the Country as part of Jan Andolan under POSHAN Abhiyaan. Secretaries/representatives of the line Departments and Secretaries/ representatives of State Government and District Collectors/District Magistrates/DPO/DSWO of Aspirational Districts and highly burdened districts also participated. Station managers of 42 community radio stations from across the country also took part in the workshop.

The presentations by the line ministries listed activities that will be carried out by all the concerned Ministries, States/UTs up to the grass root level by involving all the field functionaries of the respective Departments during September 2018. The primary objective of the celebration of Poshan Maah is to take the messages of POSHAN to the grass root level.

‘Poshan pledge’ was administered to all the participants by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog. The various line ministries supporting the initiative gave detailed presentations on their action plan to make India Malnutrition free. Dashboard on Poshan Mission was unveiled for monitoring progress.

The programme- an initiative of WCD Ministry and NITI Aayog is supported by 18 line Ministries/Departments/Government Organizations. It seeks to synergise all efforts by leveraging technology and intends to take nutrition awareness to the level of Jan Andolan or People’s Movement. The programme focuses on 8 themes – Antenatal Care, Optimal Breastfeeding (Early & Exclusive), Complementary Feeding, Anemia, Growth Monitoring, Girls-education, diet, right age of Marriage, Hygiene & Sanitation, Food Fortification. Various activities are planned for to the month of September which will be celebrated nationwide as Poshan Maah. Activities like- Prabhat  Pheri, POSHAN Melas, POSHAN Rallies & Walks, Nukkad Nataks, Yuva Shakti Rallies, School Based Events, Recipe Demonstration, Public Events are planned.

The People’s Movement intends to reach 11 crore beneficiaries during the Nutrition Month itself. The speciality of the programme is that activities are to be updated by all the Ministries on the Jan Andolan Dash-board for continuous monitoring. Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Panchayati  Raj, Ministry of HRD, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Tribal Affairs among other are actively participating in Poshan Maah.

POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th March, 2018 from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. The programme through use of technology, a targeted approach and convergence strives to reduce the level of Stunting, Under-nutrition, Anemia and Low Birth Weight in Children, as also, focus on Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers, thus holistically addressing malnutrition. POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to ensure service delivery and interventions by use of technology, behavioural change through convergence and lays-down specific targets to be achieved across different monitoring parameters over the next few years. To ensure a holistic approach, all 36 States/UTs and 718 districts will be covered in a phased manner by the year 2020. The Jan aandolan intends to give prominence to nutrition at the highest level in the country.

States/UTs have also been asked to organise activities like, Convergence Action Plan Meeting – State, District, Block level, Community Based Events, ECCE Day, DAY-NRLM, Weekly Meeting, Home Visits by ANM/ASHA/AWW, Gram Sabha Meeting and spread the message of Poshan. It has also been suggested that State/UT should ensure that Prabhat Pheri, POSHAN Melas, POSHAN Rallies & Walks, Nukkad Nataks, Yuva Shakti Rallies, School Based Events, Recipe Demonstration, Public Events etc. may be organised.

25-Jul-2018: 2nd meeting of National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges under POSHAN Abhiyaan held on 24th July, 2018

Ministry of Women and Child Development has organized 2nd meeting of National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges under POSHAN Abhiyaan on 24th July, 2018 in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog.

The Government of India has set-up POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) which was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th March, 2018 from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. The programme through use of technology, a targeted approach and convergence strives to reduce the level of Stunting, Under-nutrition, Anemia and Low Birth Weight in Children, as also, focus on Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers, thus holistically addressing malnutrition.

POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to ensure service delivery and interventions by use of technology, behavioural change through convergence and lays-down specific targets to be achieved across different monitoring parameters over the next few years. To ensure a holistic approach, all 36 States/UTs and 718 districts will be covered in a phased manner by the year 2020. Never before has nutrition been given such prominence at the highest level in the country.

During the half day meeting, Ministry of WCD has given the action taken report on the recommendations of the last meeting of the National Council.

As part of POSHAN Abhiyan’s initiative to mobilize a peoples’ movement or Jan Andolan on Nutrition, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has developed a Caller Tune and Ring Tone to popularize and create a connect with the Abhiyaan’s goal of Sahi Poshan Desh Roshan. During the meeting, the caller tune and ringtone of the POSHAN Abhiyaan was also released.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development sought assistance from the Ministry of AYUSH for preparing the Yoga guidelines for (i) Adolescent Girls (ii) Pregnant Ladies (iii) Lactating Mothers and (iv) Children within 3-6 years of age. Ministry of AYUSH, in consultation with Ministry of WCD, has prepared these 4 protocol booklets of Yoga with the assistance of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) and the same was released during the meeting.

Ministry of Women and Child Development has desired to get associated with NASSCOM Foundation. It was intimated that an MoU is likely to be signed with NASSCOM Foundation by Ministry of Women and Child Development for roll-out and implementation of POSHAN Abhiyaan across all 36 States/UTs by developing partnerships with corporates, social organisations and business houses for creating a Jan Andolan on Nutrition across the Country.

During the meeting it was approved to include 32 new districts in the current year 2018-19 under POSHAN Abhiyaan by which it will saturate all the districts of the UTs which are left to be included under Phase-I and Phase-II. Also the States where up to 5 districts have been left will also be included under POSHAN Abhiyaan. This will facilitate saturation of 8 new States/UTs. Now 23 States/UTs will be saturated.

Ministry of Women and Child Development with the assistance of National Institute of Nutrition is in the process of developing on-line course for nutrition. Three of the modules were presented during the meeting. These courses are planned to be hosted independently by MoW&CD(POSHAN Abhiyaan) and National Institute of Nutrition portals.

During the meeting in-principle approval of the guidelines for construction of anganwadi centres in urban areas/slums under anganwadi services was also given.

During the meeting, Dr. Vinod K Paul, Member, Health & Nutrition, NITI Aayog presented the activities to be carried in the month of September, 2018 to celebrate as National Nutrition Month and this will be celebrated every year.

25-Jun-2018: Specially designed software to assist POSHAN Abhiyaan

ICDS-CAS (Common Application Software) has been specially designed to strengthen the Service Delivery System as well as the mechanism for Real Time Monitoring (RTM) for nutritional outcomes. It looks at improving the nutrition outcomes through effective monitoring, timely intervention and also act as a fact-based decision-making tool.

Currently 550 districts have been covered under the Abhiyaan. To ensure a holistic approach, all 36 States/UTs and 718 districts will be covered in a phased manner by the year 2020.

By the year 2020, the ICDS-CAS application will be rolled out across 14 lakh Anganwadis and impact 10 Crore beneficiaries. It is currently the largest e-Nutrition & Health programme in the World having 1.1 lakh data entry devices with frontline functionaries across 7 States (Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) enabling a footprint of 95 lakh plus beneficiaries.

The POSHAN Abhiyaan empowers the frontline functionaries i.e. Anganwadi Workers and Lady Supervisors by providing them with Smartphones. The Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS) especially developed for this purpose enables data capture, ensures assigned service delivery and prompts for interventions wherever required. This data is then available in near real time to the supervisory staff from Sector, Block, District, State to National level through a Dashboard, for monitoring.

POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8thMarch, 2018 in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. The programme through use of technology,  targeted approach and convergence strives to reduce the level of Stunting, Under-nutrition, Anemia and Low Birth Weight in Children, as also, focus on Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers, thus holistically addressing malnutrition.

By synergising frontline functionaries and volunteers like, DAY-NRLM Self-help groups, ANMs, Co-operatives, Swasth Bharat Preraks etc., the Ministry is planning to reach 11 crore people and thereby convert the mission into Jan Andolan.

7-May-2018: India signs 200 million US Dollar Loan Deal with World Bank for National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan) for 315 districts across all states/UTs

The Government of India signed a loan deal worth $ 200 million with the World Bank for the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan). The loan would help the Government of India in achieving its goal of reducing stunting in children 0-6 years of age from 38.4% to 25% by the year 2022.

The POSHAN (PM’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan was launched by the Prime Minister on 8th March 2018 at Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.

A large component of POSHAN Abhiyaan involves gradual scaling-up of the interventions supported by the ongoing World Bank assisted Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP) to all districts in the country over a 3-year period. The loan approved today will support the first phase scale up to 315 districts across all states and union territories (UTs).

With a focus on improving the coverage and quality of ICDS nutrition services to pregnant and lactating women and children under 3 years of age, the project will include investments in improving the skills and capacities of ICDS staff and community nutrition workers, instituting mechanisms of community mobilization and behavior change communication, strengthening systems of citizen engagement and grievance redress and establishing mobile technology based tools for improved monitoring and management of services for better outreach to beneficiaries during the critical 1,000 day window for nutrition impact. The project will additionally ensure convergence of all nutrition related schemes and provide performance based incentives to states and community nutrition and health workers, facilitating a focus on results.

18-Apr-2018: 235 districts to be covered under Phase-II of POSHAN Abhiyaan

The first meeting of National Council on India's Nutrition Challenges under POSHAN Abhiyaan was held in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. The Council which has been set up under POSHAN Abhiyaan is the apex body to formulate overall policies, guide and monitor all nutrition based schemes.

The mandate of the Council is:

1. To provide policy directions to address India’s Nutrition Challenges through coordinated inter-sectoral action.
2. To coordinate and review convergence among ministries.
3. To review programmes for nutrition on a quarterly basis.
4. The Council will submit its report to the Prime Minister every six months.

Some of the important decisions taken in the meeting are : 235 Additional Districts have been confirmed as part of Phase II of POSHAN Abhiyaan in financial year 2018-19

The districts have been selected on the basis of:-

1. The level of stunting.
2. Ensuring all LWE(105) and Aspirational (117) districts are included.
3. Wherever a gap of 1 district was left to achieve saturation in States/UTs.           

315 districts were already covered under phase-I of POSHAN Abhiyaan. The balance of 167 districts out of 718 districts will be covered in Phase III of the Abhiyaan.

Direct transfer of Funds to States/UTs for Cash Award to Frontline Functionaries, instead of Creation of Corpus Fund. It was decided to examine the matter in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.

The focus is on the first 1000 days of the child and preventive care for adolescent girls, women and mothers. Home-based Care for Young Child(HBYC) would be a crucial component of POSHAN Abhiyaan. In HBYC, ASHAs supported by Anganwadi workers(AWW) will visit the homes of children aged between 3 to 15 months and sensitise mothers on energy density and diet of child. The committee has endorsed his recommendation on:

• Package of interventions matrix for the first 1000 days of the child
• Roll out HBYC within a month
• Social and behavioural change road map and action roll out

During the meeting following decisions were also taken

• The pilot will be conducted in 10 districts for conditional cash transfer(CCT) through direct benefit transfer
• States/UTs to continue their existing system of providing supplementary nutrition under Anganwadi services

Various incentives have been made a part of POSHAN Abhiyaan. To encourage Anganwadi workers to use mobile phones for real time monitoring (ICT-RTM), incentive funds shall be provided for each Anganwadi worker per month. It will be linked to the achievements of certain targets.

Centralised call centre will be established for monitoring, grievance redressal and interventions. It will help in collecting real time data enabling supportive supervision and timely intervention by department officials. He also added that it would further create robust monitoring, evaluation and analysis platform at all hierarchical levels, through an integrated dashboard. E learning module has also been created for Anganwadi workers. Comprehensive Guidelines and Manuals are now available at State Level for all Abhiyaan Components.

There is a need to ensure convergence of various programmes spread across Ministries as under: Anganwadi Services, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Scheme for Adolescent Girls of Ministry of Women & Child Development; Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), National Health Mission (NHM), Home-based New born Care, Home-Based Yong Child Care, Anemia Mukt Bharat  and Rashtriya Bal Swasth Karyakram of MoHFW; Swachh Bharat Mission, Construction of toilets and WASH of Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DW&S);

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS),  of Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD); Drinking Water & Toilets with Ministry of Panchayati Raj;

There is also the need for Convergence among Field Functionaries like AWWs, ANM, ASHA and DAY-NRLM as a part of Community based engagement. States/UTs and Line Ministries need to achieve convergence through close coordination between the Departments of Women & Child Welfare; Health; Drinking Water & sanitation; Rural Development; Panchayati Raj; Education and Food and other concerned Departments.

The first lot of 40 Swasth Bharat Preraks is being dispatched by end of the month and would be available at District level to assist the staff in smooth roll-out. Under the Abhiyaan, Swasth Bharat Preraks will be deployed one in each District for coordinating with District officials and enabling fast and efficient execution of the Abhiyaan across the country. Swasth Bharat Preraks would function as a catalyst for fast tracking the implementation of the Abhiyaan. By July 2018, 315 Swasth Bharat Preraks are likely to be deployed in 315 districts of Phase I of the POSHAN Abhiyaan.

5-Apr-2018: Role of Anganwadi Workers in National Nutrition Mission

The annual targets set under POSHAN Abhiyaan beginning 2017-18 are as under:

SL.No.	Objective	Target
1.	Prevent and reduce stunting in children (0-6years)	By 6% @ 2% p.a.
2	Prevent and reduce under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children (0-6 years)	By 6% @ 2% p.a.
3	Reduce the prevalence of anemia among young Children(6-59 months)	By 9% @ 3% p.a.
4	Reduce the prevalence of anemia among Women and Adolescent Girls in the age group of 15-49 years.	By 9% @ 3% p.a.
5	Reduce Low Birth Weight (LBW).	By 6% @ 2% p.a.

The achievements of 2017-18 get reflected in the surveys prescribed under the POSHAN Abhiyaan.

Anganwadi Workers have been equipped with Smart Phones and Supervisors with Tablets to record the data for ICT-Real Time Monitoring to achieve the targets set under the POSHAN Abhiyaan. These functionaries have also been imparted training to use the above equipment.

ICT enabled Real Time Monitoring as part of the Common Application Software has presently been implemented across 6 States i.e. Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh covering 95,000 Anganwadi centres (AWCs) across 54 districts. As on date, data of more than 84 lakh beneficiaries is captured and monitored as part of the software application. This is a continuing process so as to reach 14 lakh AWCS across the country.