The Centre has approved the upgradation of 2 lakh Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) into Saksham Anganwadis to enhance nutrition services and strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur informed the Lok Sabha.
Highlighting the progress of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, Thakur said the upgraded centres have been equipped with improved infrastructure, including LED screens, water filtration systems, Poshan Vatikas (nutrition gardens), ECCE learning materials, and Building as Learning Aid (BaLA) paintings.
Launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2018, Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 integrates the Anganwadi Services, Poshan Abhiyaan and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls into a single centrally sponsored programme aimed at reducing malnutrition and improving nutritional outcomes among children up to six years of age, pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls in specified regions.
Under the mission, supplementary nutrition is provided to children aged six months to six years, pregnant women, lactating mothers and eligible adolescent girls in accordance with the revised nutrition norms notified in January 2023 under the National Food Security Act, 2013. Children identified with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) also receive additional Take-Home Rations (THR).
The minister said Mission Poshan 2.0 adopts a broader strategy to reduce malnutrition through community engagement, behavioural change, outreach and advocacy, while also promoting maternal nutrition, infant and young child feeding practices, management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), and wellness through AYUSH practices.
Six services provided under the Mission
The mission delivers six key services through anganwadi centres: supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, nutrition and health education, immunisation, health check-ups and referral services. Of these, immunisation, health check-ups and referral services are provided through the National Health Mission (NHM) and the public health system.
The scheme is digitally monitored through the Poshan Tracker, an ICT-based governance platform introduced in March 2021. The application facilitated near real time data collection for anganwadi services such as, opening of AWCs, daily attendance of children, ECCE activities, growth monitoring of children, distribution of hot cooked meal and take-home ration.
To strengthen last-mile delivery, the government has integrated a Facial Recognition System (FRS) into the Poshan Tracker to authenticate beneficiaries receiving Take-Home Rations, ensuring that benefits reach registered recipients.
Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children
Thakur also highlighted efforts to improve the management of child malnutrition through a joint protocol developed by the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Health and Family Welfare. The Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children is intended to prevent and treat severely acute malnutrition in children and for reducing associated morbidity and mortality. The community-based approach promotes timely detection and screening of children with severe acute malnutrition, and management for those without medical complications with wholesome, local nutritious foods at home and supportive medical care.
The ministry has also launched the Pankhudi Portal to facilitate partnerships with organisations, corporates and individuals for supporting initiatives under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya.
