POSHAN Abhiyaan — National Nutrition Mission Benefits

What is POSHAN Abhiyaan?

POSHAN Abhiyaan (PM's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) is a flagship government nutrition mission launched in 2018 to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. In 2021, the scheme was expanded into POSHAN 2.0, which merges multiple nutrition schemes into one umbrella:

• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) — Anganwadi services
• Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)
• Scheme for Adolescent Girls
• National Creche Scheme

Services are delivered through the nationwide network of Anganwadi centers (over 13 lakh centers across India).

Who Benefits?

Key Benefits Delivered Through Anganwadi Centers

1. Supplementary Nutrition:

• Hot cooked meals or take-home rations for children aged 6 months to 6 years
• Take-home ration (fortified flour, rice, pulses) for pregnant and lactating women
• Nutritional value: 500–600 calories + 12–15g protein per day per beneficiary

2. Growth Monitoring:

• Regular weighing of children (monthly for infants, quarterly thereafter)
• Height measurement to detect stunting
• MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) measurement to detect acute malnutrition

3. Health Check-ups:

• Regular health check-ups through ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) visits to Anganwadi
• Referral to Primary Health Centre (PHC) if the child is severely malnourished

4. Immunization:

• BCG, OPV, DPT, Measles vaccines coordinated through the Anganwadi

5. Pre-school Education:

• Early childhood care and education for children aged 3–6 years at the Anganwadi (free)

6. Nutrition Counseling:

• Guidance on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, hygiene, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene)

The POSHAN Tracker App

A key feature of POSHAN Abhiyaan is the POSHAN Tracker — a government mobile app used by Anganwadi Workers (AWW) to track:

• Weight and height of every enrolled child
• Nutrition status: normal, moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), severe acute malnutrition (SAM)
• Beneficiary registration and take-home ration distribution
• Health events and immunization records

As a parent, you can ask the Anganwadi Worker to show your child's growth record on the POSHAN Tracker.

How to Access POSHAN Abhiyaan Services — Step by Step

There is no separate application form. Services are automatically available to all eligible beneficiaries in the area:

1. Visit your nearest Anganwadi center — every village and urban ward has at least one
2. Register your child or yourself as a beneficiary with the Anganwadi Worker (AWW)
3. Registration requires: Aadhaar card, name, age, and address
4. Pregnant women should register as soon as pregnancy is confirmed (ideally in the first trimester)
5. Your details are entered into the POSHAN Tracker
6. You will be called for scheduled activities (weighing, health check, nutrition distribution)

To find your nearest Anganwadi center:

• Ask your ASHA worker (Accredited Social Health Activist) or ANM
• Contact your local Panchayat office
• Or visit poshanabhiyaan.gov.in for contact information

SAM/MAM Children — Special Nutrition Rehabilitation

If your child is identified as Severely Acutely Malnourished (SAM):

• Referred to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) at the district hospital
• 14-day inpatient care with therapeutic food (F-75, F-100 formula)
• Free treatment, food, and caregiver support
• Follow-up at Anganwadi after discharge

If Moderately Acutely Malnourished (MAM):

• Community-based management with supplementary nutrition
• Regular follow-up at Anganwadi
• Additional rations and health monitoring

POSHAN Maah (Nutrition Month)

Every September is celebrated as POSHAN Maah (Nutrition Month):

• Special events at Anganwadi centers — weighing drives, nutrition counseling camps
• Growth monitoring of all children in the village/ward
• Community cooking demonstrations of nutritious local foods
• Awards for best Anganwadi workers

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register my child at an Anganwadi?

Visit the Anganwadi center in your area with your child's birth certificate and your Aadhaar card. The Anganwadi Worker (AWW) will register your child and begin services. Registration is free.

Can urban children also benefit?

Yes — POSHAN Abhiyaan covers both rural and urban areas. Urban Anganwadi centers exist in cities and towns. Ask your local ward office for the nearest Anganwadi.

What do pregnant women get?

Pregnant women registered at an Anganwadi get: take-home nutritional ration (fortified supplementary food), Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets, health check-up referrals, and nutrition counseling. Also entitled to ₹6,000 under PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) for the first live birth — ask your Anganwadi Worker.

Is the food at Anganwadi safe for children?

Yes — the supplementary nutrition is centrally procured and quality-checked by the state government. Recipes follow ICDS nutritional guidelines. Fortified foods (added iron, vitamin A, zinc) are increasingly being provided.

My child is 7 years old — is she still eligible?

POSHAN Abhiyaan benefits are for children up to 6 years of age. After 6 years, children transition to school mid-day meals (PM POSHAN / Mid-Day Meal Scheme) for nutrition support.

What is POSHAN 2.0 different from the original POSHAN Abhiyaan?

POSHAN 2.0 (from 2021) merges multiple schemes into one and introduces: poshan vatikas (nutrition gardens at Anganwadi), focus on tribal nutrition, adolescent nutrition in select districts, and stronger convergence with health and sanitation. Core Anganwadi services remain the same.

Official Links

• POSHAN Abhiyaan: poshanabhiyaan.gov.in
• POSHAN Tracker App: available on Google Play Store
• Scheme details: myscheme.gov.in
• WCD Ministry: wcd.nic.in
• Helpline: 011-23381495 (Ministry of WCD)