Ministry of Women and Child Development launched Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 to improve nutritional outcomes among children from 0-6 years

Why in news

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 to enhance nutritional outcomes for children aged 0-6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.

Exam relevance

GS2, GS1 · Governance, Society, Polity · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 subsumes Anganwadi services, Poshan Abhiyaan, and Scheme for Adolescent girls.
2. The mission aims to improve nutritional outcomes for children aged 0-6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
3. It is a Centrally Sponsored Mission, with States and UTs responsible for implementation.
4. The 'Poshan Tracker' application was introduced in March 2021 for monitoring Anganwadi Centres, workers, and beneficiaries.

Prelims pointers

• Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored Mission.
• Beneficiaries include children under 6, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls (in specific regions).
• The 'Poshan Tracker' is a governance tool for monitoring Anganwadi services.
• The mission subsumes Anganwadi services, Poshan Abhiyaan, and the Scheme for Adolescent girls.

Mains practice question

Discuss the significance of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 in addressing India's malnutrition challenges. What are the key features of this mission, and what role does technology play in its implementation?

Static linkage

The initiative is linked to national efforts to combat malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups, and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals related to health and nutrition. The Anganwadi system is a key component of India's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program.

Significance

This mission is significant for addressing critical nutritional deficiencies in young children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, which have long-term implications for health, cognitive development, and overall human capital. By integrating existing schemes and introducing a digital monitoring tool like the Poshan Tracker, it aims for more efficient and effective delivery of services. The focus on aspirational districts and the North-Eastern region highlights efforts to reduce regional disparities in nutritional outcomes.