Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

Tackling the problem of nutrition

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Mains level: Welfare schemes;

Why in the News?

In the upcoming financial year, the government has increased funding for two key schemes—Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.

What are the key nutrition-related schemes that received higher allocations in Budget 2025?

  • Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0: Allocated ₹21,960 crore, up from ₹20,070.90 crore in the previous year, these initiatives aim to combat malnutrition and strengthen early childhood care.
  • Mission Vatsalya (Child Protection Services): Received ₹1,500 crore, an increase from ₹1,391 crore last year, focusing on creating a safe environment for vulnerable children through institutional and family-based care.
  • Mission Shakti (Women’s Empowerment): Allocated ₹3,150 crore, with components like Sambal and Samarthya receiving significant funding to support initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
  • Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN): While specific figures were not detailed in the available sources, the scheme continues to provide nutritious meals to school children, aiming to improve health and learning outcomes.
  • Food Subsidy Program: The government plans to increase the food subsidy bill by about 5% to nearly ₹2.15 trillion, primarily due to higher rice purchases and rising storage costs, ensuring food security for the underprivileged.

Why is India’s nutrition challenge not just about food insecurity but also linked to cultural and social factors?

  • Dietary Habits Shaped by Culture: Traditional food choices often lack diversity in essential nutrients, leading to malnutrition. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), only 11% of breastfed children (6-23 months) receive an adequate diet. Example: Many vegetarian diets in India lack protein, iron, and vitamin B12, increasing anaemia risks.
  • Caste and Social Norms Impact Food Access: Historical caste-based discrimination limits access to nutrient-rich foods for marginalized communities. Example: Many lower-caste communities have restricted access to milk and pulses, key protein sources.
  • Gender Disparities in Nutrition: Women often eat last and consume less nutritious food compared to men in the family.
    • NFHS-5 reports that 57% of Indian women (15-49 years old) are anaemic, significantly higher than men.
  • Urbanization and Processed Food Consumption: Rising income levels and urban lifestyles have increased fast food and processed food consumption, leading to diet-related diseases. Around 23% of women and 22.2% of men in India are overweight or obese, according to NFHS-5. Example: High consumption of sugar-laden, fiber-poor packaged foods contributes to rising cases of diabetes and hypertension.
  • Limited Nutrition Focus Beyond Maternal and Child Health: National policies prioritize nutrition interventions for pregnant women and children but ignore other vulnerable groups.Elderly populations and working men receive little policy attention, despite being at risk of malnutrition and lifestyle diseases.
    • Example: According to NFHS-5, only 27.5% of adults with diabetes were aware of their condition, 21.5% were on treatment, and just 7% had their diabetes under control.

How does the existing nutrition policy overlook certain segments of the population? 

  • Focus on Women and Children, Ignoring Other Vulnerable Groups: Most policies, like Poshan 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi, prioritize maternal and child nutrition but neglect other groups. Example: Elderly populations, adolescent boys, and working men rarely receive targeted nutritional support.
  • Lack of Attention to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Policies focus on undernutrition but ignore rising lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Example: 14% of adults in India require diabetes medication, yet nutrition plans rarely address high sugar and processed food consumption.
  • Limited Inclusion of Urban Poor and Middle-Class Nutritional Needs: Urban food insecurity and poor dietary habits are often overlooked in favor of rural nutrition programs. Example: Many urban poor rely on cheap, processed foods with low nutritional value, increasing obesity and micronutrient deficiencies.
  • One-Size-Fits-All Approach Ignores Local Dietary Diversity: National policies provide standardized nutrition interventions that may not align with regional food habits. Example: In some tribal areas, traditional nutrient-rich foods like millets are being replaced with government-distributed wheat and rice, reducing diet diversity.
  • Inadequate Support for Special Groups (Elderly, Disabled, Recuperating Patients): People recovering from illnesses, trauma, or those with disabilities have special dietary needs that existing policies fail to address. Example: Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) provide minimal nutrition support for elderly individuals with osteoporosis or post-surgical patients needing high-protein diets.

What steps has taken by the Indian government?

  • Increased Allocation for Nutrition Schemes: Higher funding for Poshan 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi to improve maternal and child nutrition. Example: Focus on aspirational districts and take-home rations for malnourished children.
  • Fortification of Staple Foods: Distribution of fortified rice, wheat, and edible oil to tackle micronutrient deficiencies. Example: Fortified rice with iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 in Mid-Day Meal (PM-POSHAN).
  • Strengthening Public Distribution System (PDS): Free ration under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to ensure food security. Example: 5 kg of free grains per person per month for priority households.
  • Promotion of Millets and Local Food: Encouraging millet consumption for better nutrition and climate resilience. Example: 2023 was the International Year of Millets, and millets are now included in PM-POSHAN.
  • Awareness and Behavioral Change Campaigns: POSHAN Abhiyan promotes healthy dietary habits, anemia prevention, and hygiene. Example: Campaigns to promote breastfeeding and combat malnutrition at the grassroots level.

Way forward: 

  • Expand Nutrition Coverage Beyond Maternal and Child Health: Develop inclusive policies targeting adolescents, elderly populations, and working adults. Example: Introduce nutrition programs for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and obesity.
  • Promote Region-Specific and Sustainable Diets: Encourage traditional, locally available nutrient-rich foods over a one-size-fits-all approach. Example: Integrate millets and indigenous grains into government nutrition programs.

Mains PYQ:

Q “Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle? (2024)

Reason: This question directly addresses the link between poverty and malnutrition and asks for solutions.

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