Lok Sabha Question No. 5530 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: POSHAN Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION 5530

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026

## POSHAN SCHEME

## 5530. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the rate of malnutrition has declined in the country during the last three years, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the progress reported under the POSHAN schemes, State-wise;
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to address the shortage of basic amenities in Anganwadi Centres; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to strengthen the digital monitoring system, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

(a)  to  (d) : Mission  Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 has subsumed Anganwadi services, Poshan Abhiyaan and Scheme for Adolescent girls under its umbrella to strengthen and accelerate improvements in nutrition. It is a Centrally Sponsored Mission being implemented in all States and UTs. Responsibility for implementation of various activities of the Mission lies with the States and UTs. The status of nutrition among children (under 6 years of age) in all States and UTs, as well as progress reported is available on the Poshan Tracker public dashboard at the given link: https://www.poshantracker.in/statistics.

Further, there is a provision of Saksham Anganwadi Centres in the Mission which refers to an upgraded and modern version of the traditional Anganwadi Centre equipped with modern digital software  and  hardware  infrastructure  including  internet/wifi  connectivity,  LED  screens,  water purifier/installation  of  RO  machines  and  smart  learning  aids,  audio-visual  aids,  child-friendly learning equipment and artwork (educational painting, practice board for children, information board).  2 lakh AWCs have been approved for five years under Mission Poshan 2.0 for upgradation as Saksham Anganwadi Centres.

The Ministry has launched 'Poshan Tracker' digital application for monitoring and tracking of all activities in the Anganwadi Centers (AWC), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and beneficiaries on defined indicators. The application has facilitated near real time data collection. The application has enabled the Ministry and States & UTs to review the implementation of the scheme on various parameters including health and nutrition status of the children and to make course corrections. For last mile tracking of Service Delivery, Facial Recognition System (FRS) in Poshan Tracker Application has been introduced for distribution of Take-Home Ration and to ensure that benefit is  given  only  to  the  intended  beneficiary  registered  in  the  application.  Further,  Aadhaar  based tracking has enabled proper identification of beneficiaries, prevention of leakages and eliminating ghost entries.

Further, Anganwadi Workers have been provided Smart phones with data recharge facility for data entry  on  Poshan  Tracker.  Also,  all  Anganwadi  Centres  (AWCs)  are  equipped  with  Growth Monitoring Devices to measure growth of the children registered at AWCs.

*****