The Ministry of Women and Child Development will launch the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 today at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi will inaugurate the campaign. Senior officials, Anganwadi workers, and beneficiaries will be present on the occasion, alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister of State Savitri Thakur, and State Cabinet Minister Baby Rani Maurya.
The Rashtriya Poshan Maah, observed every September, has evolved into a nationwide Jan Andolan to strengthen public participation in promoting nutrition, health and caregiving practices. This year’s theme, “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari”, aims to strengthen Anganwadi Centres as key hubs for children’s nutrition, healthcare, care and early learning. The campaign will further advance the vision of a Suposhit Bharat as the foundation of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Under Poshan Maah 2026, various activities will be organized at Anganwadi centers to promote nutrition and a balanced diet. Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, emphasis has been placed on clearly defining Hot Cooked Meals for the first time, as well as on the use of SNP Menu Boards and the constitution of Anganwadi Management Committees.
One of the campaign’s five key themes focuses on Dietary Diversity and Adequate Protein intake; under this, nutritious dishes prepared from local and affordable food items will be demonstrated at Anganwadi centers. Additionally, the provision of Fresh Hot Cooked Meals at Anganwadi centers will be promoted. States and Union Territories will be encouraged to implement a weekly rotating menu that incorporates millets, pulses, and seasonal vegetables.
Under the third key theme of Poshan Maah—‘Community Ownership and Accountability’—emphasis will be placed on enhancing transparency and public participation in Anganwadi services. During Poshan Maah, service delivery will be reviewed by holding at least one AMC meeting at each center. Additionally, SNP Menu Boards will be installed, while AMC and Mother Committees will monitor the quality of the food and adherence to the prescribed menu.
Under the fourth theme of Poshan Maah—‘Nutrition, Early Stimulation, and Education for Child Development’—efforts will be made to promote children’s health, learning, and holistic development. For children aged 0–3 years, Anganwadi workers will conduct home visits to educate parents about responsive caregiving and early stimulation through age-appropriate activities. Additionally, 34 developmental milestones will be monitored, and children requiring intervention will be promptly referred with the support of the Health Department and RBSK—during Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Day (VHSND) sessions.
Meanwhile, early childhood education for children aged 3–6 years will be promoted through foundational learning and play-based activities. Each Anganwadi center will organize ECCE Days, parent-child activities, and visits to government primary schools for children aged 5–6 years. Community participation regarding nutrition, childcare, and learning materials will also be enhanced.
Poshan Maah 2026 will mark 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), highlighting its role in promoting maternal nutrition and health-seeking practices. A 100% saturation drive will focus on enrolling all eligible pregnant and lactating women, faster Direct Benefit Transfers, and the launch of a PMMVY Toolkit to support state- and UT-level implementation.
(PIB)
