Poshan 2.0: Key Updates for Collective Action to Build Healthier Communities
Author: Poshan Ghar Secretariat
Poshan 2.0 is an integrated nutrition programme designed to address malnutrition in India. It focused on improving the quality of nutrition, service delivery, and community participation. The recent updates in Poshan 2.0 organises its services into three verticals: nutrition support for vulnerable groups, early childhood education and care, and modernising Anganwadi infrastructure. Additionally, by fostering grassroots involvement and encouraging behaviour change, Poshan 2.0 aims to create sustainable, long-term improvements in nutrition outcomes, particularly in Aspirational Districts and the North Eastern Region. This op-ed by the Poshan Ghar Secretariat highlights Poshan 2.0 key updates that will support transforming the nutrition landscape in India.
Malnutrition affects millions of children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. To tackle this pressing issue, the Government of India revamped the nutrition programmes into an Integrated Nutrition Support Programme. It brings together the Supplementary Nutrition Programme under Anganwadi Services, the Scheme for Adolescent Girls, and POSHAN Abhiyaan into one cohesive effort as Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (hereafter referred to as Poshan 2.0). It majorly focuses on improving nutrition quality, service delivery, last-mile tracking, and community engagement. Poshan 2.0 contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 on Zero Hunger and SDG 4 on Quality Education.
Understanding Poshan 2.0
Poshan 2.0 prioritises nutrition and early childhood care and education to ensure the well-being, growth, and development of children into healthy, productive adults. Building on POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018), Poshan 2.0 aims to improve maternal and child nutrition, boost community participation, and incorporate AYUSH practices, including yoga and traditional remedies, to support holistic health.
The framework of Poshan 2.0 rests on three key pillars: convergence, governance, and capacity-building. Convergence ensures coordinated action across health, education, and allied sectors for integrated service delivery. Governance prioritises transparency, accountability, and data-driven decisions. Capacity-building enhances the skills and knowledge of Anganwadi workers and other stakeholders to ensure effective programme implementation.
Poshan 2.0 leverages Information and Communication Technology tools, such as the Poshan Tracker, to monitor and track the progress of interventions. For instance, the Poshan Tracker provides real-time data on indicators like stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence, enabling evidence-based decision-making. Additionally, Poshan 2.0 uses media advocacy, research, and community outreach to promote healthier dietary practices. It aims to foster a Jan Andolan (People’s Movement), encouraging widespread participation in improving nutrition outcomes.
Need for Poshan 2.0
Earlier nutrition interventions lacked an integrated approach and often failed to ensure adequate nutrition quality and effective delivery.
For instance, Anganwadi Services earlier focused on calorie sufficiency over diet quality and diversity. This approach led to a deficiency in essential micronutrients in Take-Home Rations and Hot Cooked Meals. Furthermore, traditional nutrition practices remained underutilised, and the focus on behavioural change for better nutrition was neglected.
Community ownership was weak, with limited participation from local stakeholders and beneficiaries. Poor implementation and inadequate last-mile tracking further restricted impact.
Poshan 2.0 addresses these gaps in the existing nutrition programme.
What’s new in Poshan 2.0
To integrate various nutrition programmes across the country, the Government of India launched Poshan 2.0, unifying multiple initiatives under a single framework. Poshan 2.0 brings together the Supplementary Nutrition Programme under Anganwadi Services, the Scheme for Adolescent Girls, and POSHAN Abhiyaan to ensure a coordinated approach to tackling malnutrition. Poshan 2.0 reorganises its services in the following manner.
Anganwadi Services deliver six essential services in an integrated manner to eligible beneficiaries, including supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, nutrition and health education, immunisation, health check-ups, and referral services. The Scheme for Adolescent Girls targets 14–18-year-old girls in all districts of the Northeast Region and Aspirational Districts across other states, offering nutritional support, iron and folic acid supplementation, health check-ups, referrals, nutrition and health education, and skilling opportunities.
Poshan 2.0 addresses malnutrition through a strategic shift in nutrition content and service delivery, fostering a convergent ecosystem to promote health, wellness, and immunity. Additionally, the revised Saksham Anganwadi guidelines focuses to upgrade and rejuvenate 200,000 anganwadis, enhancing nutrition, early childhood care, and education delivery. These upgraded centres will feature improved infrastructure, including LED screens, RO machines, smart learning tools, audio-visual aids, and Poshan Vatikas. Wherever possible, BharatNet will provide internet and Wi-Fi connectivity to support digital learning and engagement.
Poshan 2.0 also tackles the above mentioned challenges through transparency and accountability. It emphasises greater grassroots participation and ensures last-mile delivery of services. It adopts social behaviour change communication strategies to generate awareness around healthy eating practices and dietary diversity. It also encourages green initiatives like Poshan Vatikas to develop eco-friendly nutrition ecosystems.
Roadmap for the next 5 years
As India celebrates 50 years of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Poshan 2.0 brings renewed hope in the country’s fight against malnutrition. Building on ICDS's legacy, Poshan 2.0 aims to provide a more comprehensive and effective approach to nutrition security for vulnerable groups. The programme follows a strategic roadmap with clear structures and plans to meet the varied needs of beneficiaries. Its framework focuses on achieving better health and nutrition outcomes through improved governance, robust monitoring, and sustainable solutions to address malnutrition.
Be a Part of Jan Andolan
Poshan 2.0 has evolved to meet the complex challenges of malnutrition in a changing world. It prioritises technology for real-time tracking, capacity building for Anganwadi stakeholders, and fostering a Jan Andolan—a collective movement to improve nutrition and well-being across communities. This initiative goes beyond addressing gaps; it seeks to create a culture of accountability, awareness, and sustainable impact.
We, as individuals, organisations, and communities, must join hands. We must align with Poshan 2.0, support evidence-based strategies, empower local stakeholders, and strengthen community-led nutrition programmes.
Join Poshan Ghar today to actively contribute to the Poshan Jan Andolan. Together, we can build healthier, more resilient communities for a sustainable future.
For further details on the updated mandate of the Poshan 2.0, you can refer to the official documents here.
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