Poshan Abhiyaan Marks 7 Years: India Renews Focus on Nutrition and Childhood Obesity in 2025

ndia Marks Seven Years of Poshan Abhiyaan with Renewed Commitment to Nutrition

On March 8, 2025, India celebrated the seventh anniversary of Poshan Abhiyaan, the Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition. Launched in 2018, this initiative aims to enhance nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers by addressing malnutrition through targeted interventions.

Seventh Poshan Pakhwada Focuses on Childhood Obesity

In alignment with the mission's objectives, the Ministry of Women and Child Development inaugurated the seventh Poshan Pakhwada on April 8, 2025. This two-week-long nutrition awareness campaign emphasizes critical areas such as the first 1,000 days of life, utilization of the Poshan Tracker module, and notably, the rising concern of childhood obesity.

Union Minister Savitri Thakur highlighted the gravity of over-nutrition and obesity among children, attributing the trend to increased consumption of unhealthy, oily foods. She urged stakeholders to foster a health-focused environment ensuring no child goes hungry and every mother receives adequate nutrition.

Government Initiatives and Budgetary Support

The Union Budget 2025-26 reflects the government's dedication to nutritional welfare, allocating ₹26,889.69 crore to the Ministry of Women and Child Development. A significant portion, ₹21,960 crore, is designated for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, aiming to combat malnutrition and strengthen early childhood care.

Community Engagement and Future Plans

Emphasizing community participation, Poshan Abhiyaan continues to mobilize efforts through initiatives like the Suposhit Panchayat Scheme, introduced to recognize and support Gram Panchayats excelling in nutrition and health indicators. The upcoming announcement of 1,000 Suposhit Gram Panchayats later this year underscores the government's commitment to grassroots involvement in nutritional improvement.

As Poshan Abhiyaan progresses into its eighth year, the focus remains steadfast on addressing malnutrition's multifaceted challenges, with particular attention to emerging issues like childhood obesity, ensuring a healthier future for India's children.