Government Data on Malnutrition Challenges in India

Context:

The Government of India recently informed Parliament that about 34% of children under five years are stunted, while 15% are underweight, according to data from the Poshan Tracker. The statistics reflect ongoing challenges in child nutrition, despite notable improvements in recent years.

Key Findings from the Poshan Tracker:

- The Poshan Tracker, a digital application launched in March 2021, monitors children enrolled in Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) across the country.
- As of October 2025, over 6.44 crore children aged 0–5 years were measured for height and weight.
- Data indicates:
  - 33.54% children are stunted (low height-for-age)
  - 14.41% children are underweight (low weight-for-age)
  - 5.03% children are wasted (low weight-for-height)

Comparison with NFHS-5:

- According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–21):
  - Stunting: 35.5%
  - Underweight: 32.1%
  - Wasting: 19.3%
- The data suggests a gradual improvement in malnutrition indicators, but the prevalence remains high.

Key Nutrition Schemes to Counter Malnutrition in India:

Scheme / Initiative	Key Features / Components	Target Group	Objective
1. Mission Poshan 2.0 (Saksham Anganwadi & POSHAN Abhiyaan)	• Integrates Anganwadi Services & Poshan Abhiyaan • Focus on maternal & child nutrition, immunity, BCC • Strengthens Anganwadi infrastructure • Uses Poshan Tracker for real-time monitoring	Children (0–6 yrs), Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers, Adolescent Girls	Reduce stunting, wasting, anaemia; improve service delivery & nutrition behaviour
2. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)	• Supplementary nutrition • Growth monitoring • Immunization support • Health check-ups • Nutrition & early childhood education	Children (0–6 yrs), P&L women, Adolescent girls	Provide integrated early childhood care & nutrition
3. PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal)	• Cooked meals for school children • Enhances nutrition, attendance, learning outcomes	School children (Class 1–8)	Improve school nutrition & reduce classroom hunger
4. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)	• Cash transfers during pregnancy & lactation • Incentives for antenatal care, rest, institutional delivery	Pregnant & lactating mothers	Improve maternal nutrition & reduce IMR, MMR
5. Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)	• Nutrition supplementation • Health & hygiene education • Life skills training	Adolescent girls (11–18 years)	Improve nutritional & health status, empower adolescent girls

National Strategy & Convergence (NITI Aayog & Ministries):

Component	Key Features	Objective
National Nutrition Strategy (NITI Aayog)	• Target to reduce all forms of malnutrition by 2030 (aligned with SDG-2) • Focus on dietary diversity, maternal health, early childhood development	Achieve a malnutrition-free India
Convergence Across Ministries	Ministries involved: • WCD • Health & Family Welfare • Education • Rural Development • Jal Shakti & Food Processing	Ensure coordinated action across first 1,000 days, school age, and adolescence
Poshan Maah (Nutrition Month)	• Annual national campaign • Community engagement via Anganwadis, schools, gram panchayats	Mass awareness for nutrition & behaviour change

Conclusion:

While India has made progress in reducing malnutrition among children under five, the data indicates that a third of children are still stunted and one-sixth underweight. Programs like Poshan Tracker and Mission Poshan 2.0 are crucial tools for targeted intervention, but sustained focus on maternal and child health, nutrition awareness, and poverty alleviation is essential to achieve long-term improvements.