Lok Sabha Question No. 2377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: Utilisation of Poshan Tracker
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri C N Annadurai, Shri Selvam G

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2377 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026

## UTILISATION OF POSHAN TRACKER

## 2377.  SHRI C N ANNADURAI: SHRI SELVAM G:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) whether consistent improvement has been achieved by Tamil Nadu in reducing child malnutrition under Poshan 2.0, with regards to indicators such as stunting, wasting and anaemia;
- (b) if so, the details of nutrition outcomes recorded in the State during the last five years;
- (c) whether the effective utilisation of the Poshan Tracker in Tamil Nadu for real-time monitoring of beneficiaries has strengthened service delivery and accountability, if so, the details thereof,
- (d) whether  the  intensive  nutrition  interventions  undertaken  to  address  Severe  Acute Malnutrition  (SAM)  and  Moderate  Acute  Malnutrition  (MAM)  have  resulted  in measurable improvements, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  replicate  Tamil  Nadu's  best  practices  in reducing stunting/wasting levels in other States to improve national nutrition indicators, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Poshan Tracker application of the Ministry provides data of the children who attend Anganwadi centers or who receive Anganwadi services at home including information of their malnutrition indicators (stunting, wasting and underweight) under Mission Poshan 2.0. The data of Poshan tracker shows consistent improvement achieved by Tamil Nadu in reducing child malnutrition. Details of the nutritional outcomes, strengthened service delivery and other components  of  the  Mission  Poshan  2.0  for  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu  are  available  at: https://www.poshantracker.in/statistics.  As per National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the prevalence of anaemia in children (0-5 years) in the state of Tamil Nadu is 57.4 percent.

The 'Poshan Tracker' application was rolled out by the Ministry as an important governance tool.  Technology  under  the  application  is  being  leveraged  for  dynamic  identification  of stunting, wasting, underweight prevalence among children. It has facilitated near real time data collection for Anganwadi Services such as, opening of AWCs, daily attendance of children, ECCE activities, Growth Monitoring of children, Provision of Hot Cooked Meal (HCM)/Take Home Ration (THR), Growth Measurement etc. The effective utilization of the Poshan Tracker has  strengthened  real-time  monitoring  of  beneficiaries,  service  delivery  and  accountability under Mission Poshan 2.0 across the country. The measurable improvements due to nutrition interventions undertaken to address Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) may be seen at: https://www.poshantracker.in/statistics.

Under Mission Poshan 2.0, a new strategy has been made for reduction in malnutrition and for improved  health,  wellness  and  immunity  through  activities  like  community  engagement, outreach,  behavioural  change  and  advocacy.  It  focuses  on  Maternal  Nutrition,  Infant  and Young Child Feeding Norms, treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)/ Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and wellness through AYUSH practices to reduce prevalence of wasting, stunting, anaemia and being underweight. Supplementary Nutrition is provided to Children (6 months to 6 years), Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers and Adolescent Girls (14-18 years) in accordance with the nutrition norms contained in Schedule-II of the National Food Security Act, 2013. Further, Fortified rice is being supplied to AWCs to meet the requirement of micronutrients and to control anaemia among women and children. Greater emphasis is being laid on the use of millets at least once a week for preparation of Hot Cooked Meal (HCM) and Take-Home  Ration  (THR)  at  Anganwadi  Centers. Further,  Ministries  of  Women  &  Child Development  and  Health  &  Family  Welfare  have  jointly  released  the  'Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children' for management of malnourished children and for reducing associated morbidity and mortality." Poshan Vatikas have been developed at AWCs to  encourage  diet-diversity  and  consumption  of  wholesome  local  produce.  Major  activities under the Mission are Community Mobilization and Awareness Advocacy to educate people on  nutritional  aspects  as  adoption  of  good  nutrition  habit  requires  sustained  efforts  for behavioural change. This awareness advocacy is being ensured through Jan Andolans during Poshan Maah, Poshan Pakhwada and monthly Community Based Events (CBEs).

Under the Mission Poshan 2.0, additional nutrition is being provided in the form of Take-Home Ration (THR) to the SAM Children. The State Government of Tamil Nadu has implemented 'Uttachathai Uruthi Sei' scheme to reduce malnutrition among children. Under this scheme, mothers of malnourished children below six months of age are provided with Nutri Kits to help improve the child's nutritional status.

- Mothers of severely malnourished children receive two Nutri Kits.
- Mothers of moderately malnourished children receive one Nutri Kit.

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