Nutrition in India: Challenges, Schemes, and the Road Ahead
Nilanshu
Apr, 2025
•8 min read
Introduction
India, despite significant economic progress, remains home to one of the highest numbers of undernourished children and women globally. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), 35.5% of children under five are stunted, and 57% of women aged 15-49 suffer from anaemia. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023 places India at 111th out of 125 countries, underscoring persistent nutritional challenges.
Malnutrition in India is not merely a public health issue; it is deeply intertwined with developmental, social, and economic inequities. Its implications stretch far beyond hunger—affecting educational attainment, economic productivity, gender equality, and intergenerational health. This article offers a comprehensive overview of India’s nutritional status, examines key government interventions like the National Nutrition Mission and Mid Day Meals Scheme, and explores pathways to a healthier, more equitable future.
Understanding Nutrition and Malnutrition in India
What is Nutrition? Why Does it Matter?
- Nutrition: Intake of food relative to dietary needs essential for growth, immune function, cognitive development, and overall health.
- Macronutrients: Proteins, carbohydrates, fats essential for energy and bodily functions.
- Micronutrients: Vitamins and minerals crucial for cellular processes.
- Proper nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life significantly impacts lifelong health outcomes.
Types of Malnutrition
- Undernutrition: Wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low height-for-age), and underweight (low weight-for-age).
- Micronutrient Deficiencies: Iron (anaemia), Vitamin A (blindness, weak immunity), iodine (developmental delays).
- Overnutrition: Increasing obesity and lifestyle diseases in urban India.
Current Status of Nutrition in India
- NFHS-5 Highlights: Stunting (35.5%), Wasting (19.3%), Anaemia in women (57%).
- Urban-rural and gender disparities persist.
- Vulnerable groups (Scheduled Tribes/Castes) face higher malnutrition due to social exclusion.
- Double burden of malnutrition (undernutrition rural, overnutrition urban) requires targeted policies.
Combating Malnutrition: Policy Landscape in India
Evolution of Nutrition Policies
- 1975: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
- 2018: National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan).
- 2021: POSHAN 2.0 integrates food, health, sanitation, and education, emphasizing quality nutrition over mere quantity.
Key Challenges
- Supply-side: Poor food quality, lack of fortified foods, inadequate healthcare.
- Demand-side: Low nutritional literacy, social taboos, gender inequality.
- Systemic: Leakages, corruption, poor monitoring, external shocks like COVID-19.
National Nutrition Mission (NNM) – POSHAN Abhiyaan
Objectives and Vision
- Launched in 2018 to reduce stunting, undernutrition, low birth weight, and anaemia through technology and community involvement.
Key Features
- ICT-based Real-Time Monitoring (ICDS-CAS).
- Jan Andolan for community behavioural change.
- Convergent action among various ministries.
Report Card & Challenges
- Progress in digital tracking and convergence.
- Issues: Low fund utilization, inadequate training, weak monitoring.
- Need for improved dashboards, indicators, and feedback systems.
Mid Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN)
Evolution of the Scheme
- Launched in 1995; revamped as PM POSHAN in 2021.
- Provides nutritious meals to children aged 6–14.
Benefits and Impact
- Enhanced nutritional status and educational outcomes.
- Increased enrolment and attendance, especially girls.
- Community participation and local employment.
Key Challenges
- Issues with meal quality, hygiene, delays in funds, caste-based discrimination.
Other Major Schemes and Interventions
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- Supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, immunization for children and mothers.
Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB)
- Targets anaemia reduction with supplements and deworming.
Food Fortification and Biofortification
- Fortified staples and biofortified crops in public programs.
Role of Behavioural Change & Community Participation
Jan Andolan for Poshan
- Grassroots nutrition awareness via community leaders and schools.
Poshan Maah & Poshan Pakhwada
- Annual campaigns addressing local nutritional needs and solutions.
International Comparisons & Best Practices
- Bangladesh: Female health volunteers for grassroots interventions.
- Brazil: School meals sourced locally.
- Rwanda: Nutrition integrated with agriculture and social policies.
Way Forward & Recommendations
- Strengthening last-mile delivery and digital monitoring.
- Enhancing Anganwadi infrastructure and workforce training.
- Focusing interventions on vulnerable groups in tribal and aspirational districts.
- Promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture and women's empowerment.
- Community-led monitoring and grievance mechanisms.
- Including nutrition education in school curricula.
Conclusion
Nutrition is central to human development and economic prosperity. While India has implemented commendable schemes like POSHAN Abhiyaan and PM POSHAN, systemic bottlenecks persist. A coordinated, multi-sectoral approach emphasizing equity, empowerment, and accountability is essential. A nourished India is foundational to a stronger, inclusive future.
Mains PYQs
1. Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India. (2024/10M) 2. What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013? How has the Food Security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India? (2021/15M) 3. Food security bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO (2013/12.5M) 4. India needs to strengthen measures to promote the pink revolution in food industry for better nutrition and health. Critically elucidate the statement. (2013/12.5M) |
Ace your Prelims preparation🚀
Multiple Choice Questions
QUESTION 1
Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (2017)
- To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
- To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
- To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
QUESTION 2
With reference to the 'Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion', which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
- This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with cluster approach.
- Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have larger stake in this scheme.
- An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
