Nutrition Mission Saksham Anganwadi And Poshan 2 0 Mission Saksham Anganwadi Poshan 2 0

Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0

Brief

The Anganwadi Services [earlier known as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) launched in 1975] has now been revised and subsumed under 'Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0)'.

'Mission Poshan 2.0' subsumes the Anganwadi Services (AWS), along with two other schemes namely POSHAN (Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan and Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG), and provides nutritional support for children below 6 years of age, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), Adolescent Girls (14-18 years); in aspirational districts and all districts of north east region, while also emphasizing on Early Childhood Care and Education (3-6 years); and Anganwadi infrastructure including modern and upgraded Saksham Anganwadi. 
 
Mission Poshan 2.0 is a flagship nutrition programme of the Government of India and is one of the world's largest  programme for Early Childhood Care and Development. It is also the foremost symbol of the country's commitment to wellbeing of it’s children, along with pregnant women and lactating mothers.

For effective execution of Mission Poshan 2.0, the Central Government is responsible for Policy and Planning and the State Governments are responsible for day-to-day program implementation.

Under Mission Poshan 2.0, services are provided through the following three components:

i. Anganwadi Services

The Anganwadi Services Scheme provides the following package of services in an integrated manner to eligible beneficiaries:

a) supplementary nutrition

b) pre-school non-formal education

c) nutrition & health education

d) immunization

e) health check-up and

f) referral services

Three of the six services, viz., immunization, health check-up and referral services, are related to health and are provided through NHM & Public Health Infrastructure.  


ii. Poshan  Abhiyaan

Poshan Abhiyaan, an overarching scheme for holistic nourishment is Government of India’s flagship scheme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers. The Abhiyaan was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th March, 2018.

Poshan Abhiyaan seeks to address the challenges of malnutrition through a strategic shift in nutrition content and delivery by creation of a convergent eco-system to develop and promote practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity.


iii. Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)

Under the Scheme for Adolescent Girls, the targeted beneficiaries are Adolescent Girls in the age group of 14 to 18 years across all the districts of Northeast Region and Aspirational Districts of other States. 

The scheme aims to address the inter-generational issues related to malnutrition by focusing on Adolescent Girls keeping in view the life cycle approach. The revised scheme aims at providing nutritional support to Adolescent Girls in the age group of 14 to 18 years in the identified areas of the country for improving their health and nutritional status. Under non nutrition component the scheme provides IFA supplementation, health check-up and referral service, nutrition & health education, skilling, etc. 

Documents

Operational Guidelines for Food Safety and Hygiene for Supplementary Nutrition under ICDS (24 December 2013)

PDF Document 2.53 MB View

Guidelines for District Nutrition Committee (DNC)

PDF Document 3.24 MB View

Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme guidelines

PDF Document 1.49 MB View

Guidelines for Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyaan (24 December, 2024)

PDF Document 965.64 KB View

ICDS Mission Broad Framework

PDF Document 7.05 MB View

Streamlining Guidelines on Quality Assurance, Roles and Responsibilities of Duty Holders, procedure for procurement, integrating AYUSH concepts and Data Management and Monitoring through 'Poshan Tracker' for transparency

PDF Document 2.59 MB View

ICDS Final Guidelines 2021 (Streamlined Guidelines) (13 January, 2021) -

PDF Document 7.94 MB View

11-digit Anganwadi Centre (AWC) codes recorded in the Poshan Tracker (12 January, 2024)

PDF Document 312.45 KB View

Amendment in specification of Growth Monitoring Device {Analog Weighing Scale (Mother and Child)} under POSHAN Abhiyaan (23 August, 2023)

PDF Document 85.20 KB View

Replacement policy of Smart phones under Poshan Abhiyaan (29 March, 2023) -

PDF Document 61.82 KB View

Specifications of Smart phone under Poshan Abhiyaan (28 March, 2023) -

PDF Document 630.84 KB View

Replacement policy of Growth Monitoring Devices under Poshan Abhiyaan (16 February, 2023)

PDF Document 81.40 KB View

Specifications of Growth Monitoring Devices under Poshan Abhiyaan (11 January, 2023)

PDF Document 434.10 KB View

Cost sharing ratio under Poshan Abhiyaan (21 November, 2022)

PDF Document 236.43 KB View

Revision in Mission Saksham Anganwadi Poshan 2.0 Guidelines

PDF Document 813.39 KB View

Incentive Guidelines for Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers (01 November, 2021)

PDF Document 638.51 KB View

Modification of guidelines under PM JANMAN (14/12/2023)

PDF Document 505.18 KB View

Upgradation of all Mini AWCs to Main AWCs (10/05/2023)

PDF Document 1.16 MB View

Enhancement of existing expenditure ceiling of maximum Rs. 5 lakh to maximum Rs.8 lakh from Mahatma Gandhi NREGS for Anganwadi Centres construction (30/01/2023)

PDF Document 355.56 KB View

Revised cost norms for construction of Toilets (12/09/2022)

PDF Document 4.96 MB View

Clarification reg promotion of AWH to AWW (20.12.2023)

PDF Document 305.15 KB View

Inclusion of AWWs/AWHs under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme (11/10/2021)

PDF Document 1.60 MB View

Enhancement of Honorarium (20/09/2018)

PDF Document 769.53 KB View

Revised cost of Smartphone under Poshan Abhiyaan (18 October, 2023)

PDF Document 693.49 KB View

Amendment in specification of Growth Monitoring Device {Analog Weighing Scale (Mother and Child)} under Poshan Abhiyaan (23 August, 2023)

PDF Document 90.13 KB View

Specifications of Growth Monitoring Devices under Poshan Abhiyaan (11 January, 2023)

PDF Document 426.15 KB View

Poshan Abhiyaan e-Bulletin (Issue 2 | August 2023)

PDF Document 4.15 MB View

Poshan Abhiyaan e-Bulletin (Issue 1 | September 2022)

PDF Document 2.22 MB View

Regional Songs on Nutrition

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Advocacy material on Poshan

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Additional relevant IEC material 1

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Additional relevant IEC material 2

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Miracles of India Millets Shree Anna 2023

PDF Document 4.24 MB View

UC/SoE Portal

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Allocation of Food Grains to States/UTs under Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP) and National Food Security Act (NFSA) to meet the Supplementary Nutrition under the Anganwadi Services during the 2nd quarter of the year 2O26-27

PDF Document 1.91 MB View

Allocation of Food Grains to State Government of Telangana under Wheat Based Nutrition Programme(WBNP) and National Food Security Act (NFSA) to meet the Supplementary Nutrition under the Anganwadi Services during the 1'st quarter of the year 2026-27

PDF Document 1.03 MB View

Involvement of Block coordinators of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 to handhold the stakeholders for the implementation of PMMVY, to across State/UTs'- reg.

PDF Document 1.03 MB View

Introduction of Nominee Module in Poshan Tracker-regarding.

PDF Document 618.77 KB View

Revised Guidelines for Utilization of Funds under the Innovation Component of Mission POSHAN 2.0 - reg

PDF Document 300.96 KB View

Creation of APAAR ID in Poshan Tracker - regarding.

PDF Document 1.14 MB View

Monitoring of grievances received on Poshan Helpline- reg.

PDF Document 1.14 MB View

Revised Home Visit Schedule under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0

PDF Document 396.92 KB View

Procurement of smartphones centrally as per the existing guidelines or through implementation of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy-regarding.

PDF Document 1.15 MB View

Allocation of Food Grains to the State Government of Uttar Pradesh under Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP) and NFSA to meet the Supplementary Nutrition under the Anganwadi Services during the 3rd quarter of the year 2025-26

PDF Document 987.78 KB View

DAJGUA operational guidelines vide letter dated 30/10/2024

PDF Document 1.70 MB View

Monitoring of grievances received on Poshan Helpline (04.06.2025)

PDF Document 592.71 KB View

Modification of guidelines under Anganwadi Services vide letter dated 14/12/2023

PDF Document 495.96 KB View

Mandatory THR delivery through FRS, monitoring the attendance of Children attending AWC and FRS at the time of registration (30.05.2025)

PDF Document 4.26 MB View

Allocation of Food Grains to States/UTs under Wheat Based Nutrition Programme(WBNP) and National Food Security Act (NFSA) to meet the Supplementary Nutrition under the Anganwadi Services during the 2nd q uarter of the y ear 2025-26

PDF Document 1.22 MB View

Modification with respect to guidelines of Saksham Anganwadi Centres vide letter dated 14/08/2024

PDF Document 1,012.91 KB View

Inclusion of AWWs & AWHs under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojna vide letter dated 25/11/2024

PDF Document 2.04 MB View

Allocation of food grains to States/UTs to meet the requirement of Supplementary Nutrition under the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) [Saksham Anganwadi &Poshan 2.0] for the 2nd quarter of 2025-26

PDF Document 1.30 MB View

Sugar Advisory issued to the StatesUTs vide letter dated 17th April 2025

PDF Document 1,008.38 KB View

Letter regarding Specification of computer, Printer cum scanner and UPS (22.03.2024)

PDF Document 132.25 KB View

Clarification of component of POL Hiring (01.02.2024)

PDF Document 329.48 KB View

Advisory Clarification wrt sanction of new Projects under Mission (17.01.2024)

PDF Document 481.84 KB View

11-digit Anganwadi Centre (AWC) codes recorded in the Poshan Tracker (12.01.2024)

PDF Document 312.45 KB View

Policy Guidelines regarding allocation of foodgrains under WBNP and SAG (05.01.2024)

PDF Document 931.48 KB View

Letter for upgradation of AWCs to Saksham AWCs (04.03.2022)

PDF Document 1.97 MB View

Procedure for Procurement of Take-Home-Ration (not raw ration) under Supplementary Nutrition Programme of Anganwadi Services (03/12/2021)

PDF Document 466.59 KB View

CAP format issued

PDF Document 1.32 MB View

Gazette Notification Payment of Honorarium dated 29.03.2023

PDF Document 1.54 MB View

Gazette Notification SAG dated 29.03.2023

PDF Document 1.15 MB View

Gazette Notification SNP dated 29.03.2023

PDF Document 710.87 KB View

SNP Rules Notification dated 12/09/2022

PDF Document 623.27 KB View

Reallocation of AWCs Guidelines 01.12.2014

PDF Document 94.94 KB View

National Guidelines on Infant and Young Child Feeding Edition : 2006

PDF Document 530.90 KB View

Delegation of powers (14/03/2018

PDF Document 2.39 MB View

Display board at AWCs (20/06/2017)

PDF Document 98.16 KB View

Guidelines for construction of AWCs under MGNREGA in convergence with ICDS (17/02/2016)

PDF Document 843.08 KB View

Guidelines for construction of Anganwadi Centers under MGNREGS in convergence with ICDS Scheme (August 2015)

PDF Document 3.70 MB View

Letter regarding extension of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan pension to AWWs and AWHs (08.03.2019)

PDF Document 206.98 KB View

Contract basis filling up of vacancies (06/02/2019)

PDF Document 804.93 KB View

Selection of Anganwadi Workers (22/09/2011)

PDF Document 93.94 KB View

Paid absence on maternity & abortion/miscarriage to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers(09/07/2010)

PDF Document 133.81 KB View

Committee for Selection of AWWs and AWHs (28/05/2007)

PDF Document 138.54 KB View

Non involvement of AWWs/AWHs - DO from Secretary, MWCD (05/11/2019)

PDF Document 249.32 KB View

Non denial of AWC benefits (20/12/2018)

PDF Document 715.20 KB View

FAQs

To improve implementation as well as to accelerate improvement in nutrition and child development outcomes, the existing scheme components have been re-organized under Poshan 2.0 into the primary verticals given below:

• Nutrition Support for Poshan through Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) for children of the age group of 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers (PWLM); and for Adolescent Girls in the age group of 14 to 18 years in Aspirational Districts and North Eastern Region (NER);

• Early Childhood Care and Education (3-6 years) and early stimulation for (0-3 years);

• Anganwadi Infrastructure including modern and upgraded Saksham Anganwadi; and

• Poshan Abhiyaan

The beneficiaries include children (0-6 years), pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls (14-18 years) in Aspirational Districts and North-Eastern Regions.

Six key services are offered, including Supplementary Nutrition, Pre-school Education, Nutrition & Health Education, Immunization, Health Check-up, and Referral Services.

The Population Norms for setting up of AWC are given as follows:

 

Area

Population

No. of AWCs

Rural/Urban Projects

400-800

1

800-1600

2

1600-2400

3

Thereafter in multiples of 800

1

Tribal/Riverine/Desert, Hilly and other difficult areas/Projects

300-800

1

PVTG Areas under PMJANMAN

Approx 100

1

Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, 2 lakh AWCs @40,000 AWCs per year would be strengthened, upgraded and rejuvenated for improved nutrition and early childhood care and education (ECCE) delivery. AWCs would have better infrastructure including LED screens, RO Machine, smart learning and audio-visual aids, PoshanVatikas etc. Internet/wifi connectivity will be provisioned through BharatNet wherever available.

Under Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0, Poshan Abhiyaan is the pillar for outreach and system strengthening, and cover ICT interventions, Media Advocacy and Research, Community Outreach, Jan Andolan and Innovations related to nutritional support.

Stunting is defined as low height-for-age {having height-for-age z score <-2SD (standard deviation) from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards}. It is the result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition, usually associated with poverty, poor maternal health and nutrition, frequent illness and/or inappropriate feeding and care in early life. 

Wasting is defined as low weight-for-height {having weight-for-height z score <-2SD (standard deviation) from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards}. It often indicates recent and severe weight loss, although it can also persist for a long time. It usually occurs when a person has not had food of adequate quality and quantity and/or they have had frequent or prolonged illnesses.

Underweight is defined as low weight-for-age {having weight-for-age z score <-2SD (standard deviation) from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards}. Underweight can result from either chronic or acute malnutrition or both. A child who is underweight may be stunted, wasted or both.

SAM is the abbreviated form of Severe Acute Malnutrition, characterized by very low weight relative to length/height {weight-for-height z score <-3 SD (standard deviation) of WHO standards) and is a severe form of wasting.

MAM is the abbreviated form of Moderate Acute Malnutrition, characterised by low weight relative to length/height {weight-for-height z score between -2 and -3 SD (standard deviation) of WHO standards).

Poshan Abhiyaan aims to enhance community engagement through a nutrition-centric mass movement known as 'Jan Andolan' for improved nutrition. This includes focus on Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities to address inadequate and inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices, as well as nutrition and care during pregnancy and adolescence. 

'Jan Andolans' are carried out through the annual Rashtriya Poshan Maah in September and Poshan Pakhwada in designated weeks of March-April nationwide. Convergence helps sensitising functionaries and beneficiaries of around 20 Ministries/ Departments across India, through every Jan Andolan.


Jan Andolan themes include Infant and young child feeding practices; Anaemia prevention; Importance of breast-feeding; Growth monitoring, Role of Poshan Panchayats; Ayush for well-being; Importance of Poshan Vatikas; Poshan ke Panch Sutra (First 1000 days, Nutritious food, Anaemia prevention, Diarrhoea management, and Hygiene & Sanitation); Promoting local foods etc. 


To deliver maternal and child health and nutrition services at the village level through the platform of Anganwadi Center, Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSND) are conducted under the National Rural Health Mission.

VHSND is organised monthly at the AWC. ASHAs and AWWs mobilize villagers, especially women and children, to join the session. The participants receive basic information regarding nutrition, immunization, pre and post natal care, growth monitoring, anaemia prevention and management, etc. This initiative aims to encourage health seeking behaviour in the community.


For leveraging convergence for food and nutrition, Poshan Vatikas (kitchen gardens and nutri-gardens) are set up at or near the Anganwadi Centers (AWC). 

Objective of development of Poshan Vatika is to provide a fresh and regular supply of locally produced fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants to women and children straight from a nutri-garden at/ around the AWC. This strategy aims at enhancing ‘diet diversity’ by providing key micronutrients through local fruits and vegetables.


The five key components critical for health and well-being or ‘Poshan ke Paanch Sutra’ are communicated under the Poshan Abhiyan with greater emphasis. 

The messaging on the same focuses on the importance of the 1). first 1000 days of a child, referred to as the “window of opportunity”, 2). importance of diarrhoea management, 3). locally-available nutritious food, 4). sanitation and hygiene, and 5). anaemia prevention.


Key Links

Point Of Contact

Name Email Landline
Ms. Arkaja Das, Director dh1-vatsalya[dot]mwcd[at]gov[dot]in 011-26773713
Ms. Jyotika, Deputy Secretary dh1-anganwadi[dot]mwcd[at]gov[dot]in 011-26773706