Poshan Pakhwada 2025: Mapping the Path to a Healthier India

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) has launched the 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada, to be observed from April 8 to April 23, 2025. The nationwide initiative is a part of the government’s flagship nutrition programme, Poshan Abhiyaan, aimed at improving nutritional outcomes for women and children across India.

This year, the observance centers around three main themes: maternal and infant nutrition, combating childhood obesity, and improving digital accessibility for nutrition beneficiaries. The Ministry has outlined a targeted focus on the first 1,000 days of life, which are critical for a child's long-term health and development. The themes also emphasize promoting a healthy lifestyle to address childhood obesity and encourage the widespread use of the Poshan Tracker App for monitoring nutritional services.

The campaign includes awareness drives on maternal health and proper breastfeeding practices, along with the importance of a balanced diet to prevent childhood stunting and anemia. States and Union Territories, in collaboration with Anganwadi Centers, are conducting various community-based activities to educate families on key nutrition practices. Citizens are also being encouraged to take pledges to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Digital inclusion plays a significant role in this year’s initiatives. The campaign highlights the importance of registering on the Poshan Tracker App—a digital platform used to monitor and manage nutritional delivery services across Anganwadis. By enhancing digital accessibility, the Ministry aims to ensure efficient data tracking and better outreach to beneficiaries, especially in rural and tribal regions.

Special attention is being given to promoting locally available, traditional, and nutritious food sources, particularly in tribal communities. The initiative supports the integration of indigenous diets, which are often more sustainable and nutritious. These efforts align with the overall goal of reducing malnutrition and improving dietary habits among vulnerable populations.

In line with the government’s policy of inter-ministerial convergence, several other ministries are participating in the campaign. Ministries including Health and Family Welfare, Education, Rural Development, Jal Shakti, and Panchayati Raj are conducting aligned events, health checkups, nutrition counseling sessions, and sanitation drives during the two-week programme.

On April 8, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, addressed stakeholders including officers from 18 partner ministries, State WCD departments, and Anganwadi workers across the country through a live webcast. This address aimed to mobilize coordinated efforts and provide clear directives for successful implementation at the grassroots level.

Events planned under Poshan Pakhwada 2025 are designed to foster community engagement and reflect the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. The campaign encourages behavioral change through practical steps like ensuring antenatal care, regular health screenings, adequate water consumption, and promoting physical activity among children and adults alike.

Citizens are urged to actively participate in local events, pledge to make informed nutrition choices, and spread awareness within their communities. The Ministry has also called for more individuals to register on the Poshan Tracker App to track and enhance personal and community health metrics.

Launched on March 8, 2018, Poshan Abhiyaan has now completed over six years of operation. It has seen the successful implementation of six prior Poshan Pakhwada events. The programme continues to focus on strengthening services for pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under six years of age.

As the 7th Poshan Pakhwada progresses, the Ministry aims to amplify its impact through strategic communication, ground-level initiatives, and technology-driven monitoring. The overarching objective remains the same: to reduce malnutrition and ensure that every child and woman in India has access to the nutritional support needed for a healthier future.

Source:Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India