The Government of India has made remarkable progress in maternal and child nutrition. As of July 2025, over 72.22 lakh pregnant women are registered under Mission Poshan 2.0, while Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has supported 4.05 crore women with maternity benefits since January 1, 2017.
Key Achievements
- Mission Poshan 2.0: 72.22 lakh pregnant women registered as beneficiaries through the Poshan Tracker system.
- PMMVY: 4.05 crore beneficiaries provided with maternity benefits till 31 July 2025.
Maternal Health Initiatives Under NHM
The National Health Mission (NHM) drives various interventions to enhance maternal health and nutrition:
- Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN): Free and respectful maternal and newborn care at public health facilities.
- Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Free deliveries with necessary support.
- Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Monthly antenatal check-ups by specialists.
- Extended PMSMA Strategy: Tracking high-risk pregnancies with incentives.
- Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Day (VHSND): Maternal and childcare services.
- Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) Supplementation & Deworming: To combat anaemia.
Mission Poshan 2.0 – Nutrition Services
Mission Poshan 2.0 integrates various services for nutrition:
- Supplementary Nutrition:
- 600 calories, 18–20 g protein, plus micronutrients
- Provided as Take-Home Ration (THR) annually to children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
- Technology for Transparency:
- Poshan Tracker App for monitoring in 24 languages.
- Facial Recognition System (FRS) for distribution.
Grievance Redressal and Capacity Building
Efforts for grievance redressal and training:
- Toll-Free Helpline 14408: Support for grievance redressal.
- Training Programmes:
- State & Local Master Trainers trained.
- Anganwadi Workers trained under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi initiative.
Special Focus – Tribal Areas
Special initiatives for tribal areas:
- PM JANMAN Mission: Construction of Anganwadi Centres in Tribal Areas.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- Government initiatives like Mission Poshan 2.0 and PMMVY aim to improve maternal health and nutrition in India.
- Various schemes under NHM focus on providing essential healthcare services to pregnant women and children.
- Technology integration for transparency and grievance redressal enhances the effectiveness of nutrition programs.
- Special attention to tribal areas ensures equitable access to healthcare for marginalized communities.
