GS2 ⚖️ Social Justice

POSHAN 2.0

The current form of India's National Nutrition Programme — an umbrella scheme merging ICDS, Poshan Abhiyaan, PM POSHAN (school meals), the Scheme for Adolescent Girls, and National Crèche Scheme under one framework, with a lifecycle approach from conception to adolescence.

Context & Background

POSHAN Abhiyaan launched March 8, 2018 (Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan); restructured as POSHAN 2.0 in 2021, adding new components and Saksham Anganwadi (infrastructure upgrade); Budget 2024-25 allocated ₹21,200 crore to the umbrella; Poshan Tracker covers 13.9 lakh Anganwadi Centres.

UPSC Exam Relevance

Key NFHS-5 outcomes — stunting 35.5% (↓ from 38.4%), wasting 19.3% (↓), anaemia in children 67.1% (↑ worsened) and women 57% (↑ worsened); POSHAN माह (September) for awareness; targets 2% annual stunting reduction and 3% annual anaemia reduction — anaemia target not achieved; NFHS-6 (2023-24) results NOT YET released as of 27 May 2026 — expected imminently (IIPS/MoHFW had indicated May–June 2026 window; data collected from 6.79 lakh households in 2023-24; will provide first post-pandemic nutrition snapshot); anaemia measurement moved to ICMR DABS-I methodology in NFHS-6.