Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 Launched for Children 0-6 Years
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Schemes
Why in news
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 to improve nutritional outcomes for children aged 0-6 years. The mission integrates anganwadi services, the Poshan Abhiyaan, and a scheme for adolescent girls. A new 'Poshan Tracker' app has been introduced for real-time monitoring.
Background
The mission subsumes the earlier Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Poshan Abhiyaan, and the scheme for adolescent girls. It is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by states and UTs.
Key facts
Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0) launched for children 0-6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls (14-18 years in aspirational districts and NE states).
Poshan Tracker app introduced in March 2021 for real-time data collection on anganwadi services, including daily attendance, growth monitoring, and distribution of hot cooked meals and take-home rations.
Face Recognition System (FRS) introduced in Poshan Tracker for take-home ration distribution to ensure benefits reach only registered beneficiaries.
Revised nutritional norms under NFSA 2013 Schedule II (January 2023) now focus on diet diversity, providing quality protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients (calcium, zinc, iron, folate, vitamins A, B6, B12).
Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) children receive additional supplementary nutrition as take-home rations.
Joint protocol issued by MoWCD and MoHFW for management of malnutrition in children, including community-based management of SAM.
Mission focuses on reducing wasting, stunting, anemia, and underweight through maternal nutrition, IYCF norms, SAM/MAM treatment, and Ayurveda practices.
Prelims pointers
- Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
- Poshan Tracker app
- Face Recognition System (FRS)
- National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 Schedule II
- Revised nutritional norms (January 2023)
- SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) and MAM (Moderate Acute Malnutrition)
- ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services)
- Poshan Abhiyaan
- Community-based management of SAM
Mains angles
- Discuss the effectiveness of Mission Poshan 2.0 in addressing malnutrition among children and women in India.
- Critically examine the role of technology (Poshan Tracker, FRS) in improving service delivery and accountability in nutrition schemes.
- Analyze the challenges in implementing community-based management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in India.