Lok Sabha Question No. 1005 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: ICDS Initiatives
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato, Dr. Hemang Joshi, Shri Kali Charan Singh, Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Shri Bhojraj Nag, Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan, Shri Tejasvi Surya, Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1005

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025

## ICDS INITIATIVES

## 1005.   SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:

SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:

SHRI DULU MAHATO:

SHRI KALI CHARAN SINGH:

SMT SMITA UDAY WAGH:

SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

DR. HEMANG JOSHI:

SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI:

DR. RAJKUMAR SANGWAN:

SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

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

- (a)  whether  specific  components  of  the  Swasth  Nari,  Sashakt  Parivar  Abhiyaan  have  been integrated with the existing Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) platform, particularly in Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details of service convergence, digital tracking/supplementary nutrition initiatives introduced thereunder;
- (c) the details of criteria adopted for identifying ICDS beneficiaries -children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls -to be covered under the new initiatives announced during the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah district-wise, including Jalgaon Maharashtra and Baghpat Lok Sabha Constituency in Uttar Pradesh;
- (d)  whether any new monitoring indicators, performance-based parameters/technology-enabled reporting mechanisms have been proposed for Anganwadi Services under the said Abhiyaan; if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of the proposed timeline for implementation of ICDS-related components, including phased  implementation  plans/readiness  assessments  conducted  under  the  said  campaign  at  the State and National level;
- (f)  the  manner  in  which  these  strengthened  ICDS  initiatives  are  expected  to  enhance  nutrition outcomes, service delivery efficiency/community participation in the said State; and

(g) the current status of the implementation of said Abhiyan in Jharkhand and especially in Chatra Lok Sabha Constituency?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (b)  The 'Swasth  Nari,  Sashakt Parivar  Abhiyaan  (SNSPA)'  campaign  was  conducted between the period of 17 th September 2025 to 2 nd October 2025 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD). It aimed at strengthening healthcare services for women and children across India, with a focus on improving access, quality care, and awareness through Jan Bhagidaari.

The Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan was implemented throughout the country with close convergence of various Ministries as stakeholders to ensure comprehensive service delivery for women, adolescents, and children at the grassroots level. The printed information Education and Communication (IEC) in regional languages was provided to maximize the outreach during the campaign.

The following activities have been conducted during the campaign:

- 19.7 lakh countrywide dedicated health camps with a footfall of more than 11 crores on all healthcare platforms to provide screenings and specialist and telemedicine services, including counselling activities.
- Provision of medical and health services for women including check-up for ENT, Eye, Dental check-up.
- Promoting healthy lifestyles such as reducing obesity local and regional food, distribution of Take-Home Ration (THR).
- Focusing on women's health, including screenings for oral, breast and cervical cancer, anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis and sickle cell diseases.
- Providing maternal and child health services, such as antenatal care (ANC) checkups and immunization and Early Childhood Care and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.
- Raising awareness about nutrition, menstrual hygiene, and mental health.
- Active participation of citizens for voluntary blood donation, Nikshay Mitra Volunteer and organ donor registration.

Distribution of digital cards and special registration including Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card, Sickle Cell card, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) enrolment and registration of beneficiary on POSHAN Tracker.

Since the launch of Poshan Abhiyaan in 2018, annual Jan Andolans in the form of Poshan Maah (the month of September) and Poshan Pakhwada (in a fortnight of March/ April) are celebrated in convergence with various Ministries/ Departments and other stakeholders. Alongside the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan, 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah was launched on 17th September, 2025 by Hon'ble Prime Minister from Dhar, Madhya Pradesh which was celeb rated from 17th September to 16th October 2025, at all Anganwadi centres across the country including State of Maharashtra.  Themes  taken  up  during  this  Poshan  Maah  includes-  Addressing  Obesity,  Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), Reinforcing Infant  and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices, Men-streaming, Vocal for Local, and Convergent Actions & Digitization.

- (c)  The  criteria  for  identification  of  beneficiaries  remained  unchanged  and  followed  standard eligibility  norms,  namely:  Children  (0 -6  years),  Pregnant  women,  Lactating  mothers  and Adolescent girls (14-18 years from Aspirational Districts and all districts of North Eastern States), as applicable under the scheme. Beneficiary identification during the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah was done at the Anganwadi Centre. The same criteria were applied uniformly in districts including Jalgaon (Maharashtra) and Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh).

(d) Activities conducted at Anganwadi centres during 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah are available on Jan Andolan Dashboard https://poshanabhiyaan.gov.in/.

(e) to (g) Overall, 14.33 crore activities have been reported by all 36 States/ UTs in convergence with more than 18 partner Ministries around the following themes.

- Vocal for Local campaigns highlighted local food diversity and traditional nutritious recipes.
- Men Streaming (1.63 Cr): Men were engaged as partners in nutrition and health awareness initiatives.
- Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) (2.41 Cr): Activities emphasized holistic development and learning readiness for young children.
- Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices (2.53 Cr): Sessions encouraged exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding.
- Addressing Obesity (2.85 Cr): Awareness drives promoted balanced diet and physical fitness among women and children.

The 8 th Poshan Maah along with Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan was implemented in the State  of  Jharkhand,  including  Chatra  Lok  Sabha  Constituency,  through  Anganwadi-based activities, health screening camps, beneficiary mobilisation and nutrition awareness drives during Poshan Maah.

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