I have the full Park's content. Here is the complete MBBS exam-ready short note:
SHORT NOTE: POSHAN ABHIYAAN (National Nutrition Mission)
PSM | K. Park | 8 Marks
1. INTRODUCTION
POSHAN stands for Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition.
- Government of India launched "Poshan Abhiyaan" (also called National Nutrition Mission, NNM) on 18th December 2017, for a period of 3 years (2017-18 to 2019-20), in all 36 States/UTs.
- Officially launched by PM Narendra Modi on 8th March 2018 (International Women's Day) from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.
- It is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
- Budget outlay: ₹9046.17 crore over 3 years.
2. TARGET BENEFICIARIES
- Children 0-6 years of age
- Adolescent girls
- Pregnant women
- Lactating mothers
More than 10 crore people are expected to benefit.
3. OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS
(As per Park's Textbook of PSM)
The Abhiyaan follows a life cycle approach to reduce malnutrition:
| S.No. | Target | Group | Reduction |
|---|
| 1 | Reduce Stunting | Children 0-6 years | By 6% (2%/year) |
| 2 | Reduce Underweight/Under-nutrition | Children 0-6 years | By 6% (2%/year) |
| 3 | Reduce Anaemia | Children 6-59 months | By 9% (3%/year) |
| 4 | Reduce Anaemia | Girls/women 15-49 years | By 9% (3%/year) |
| 5 | Reduce Low Birth Weight (LBW) | Newborns | By 6% (2%/year) |
Overall goal: Reduce stunting in children (0-6 years) from 38.4% to 25% by 2022.
4. FOCUS AREA - FIRST 1000 DAYS
POSHAN Abhiyaan gives special emphasis to the first 1000 days of a child's life:
- 270 days - Pregnancy (9 months)
- 180 days - Exclusive breastfeeding (0-6 months)
- ~550 days - Complementary feeding (6 months to 2 years)
This critical window determines lifelong nutritional, cognitive, and physical development.
5. CONVERGENCE OF SCHEMES
POSHAN ensures convergence with:
- Anganwadi Services (ICDS)
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) - cash transfers to pregnant/lactating mothers
- Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
- National Health Mission (NHM)
- Swachh Bharat Mission (sanitation)
- Mission Indradhanush (full immunisation)
- MAA Programme (breastfeeding promotion)
- Weekly IFA Supplementation (anaemia)
- SABLA - scheme for adolescent girls (11-18 years)
6. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY (4 PILLARS)
| Pillar | Component |
|---|
| 1. Technology (IT-CAS) | ICDS-Common Application Software; smartphones to AWWs; growth monitoring tools (stadiometer, infantometer, weighing scales) |
| 2. Convergence Action Plan (CAP) | Multi-ministerial coordination at national → block level |
| 3. Incentive Mechanism | Performance-based incentives for AWWs, supervisors, and states achieving targets |
| 4. Jan Andolan (Community Mobilisation) | Behavioural Change Communication (BCC); dietary diversity; IYCF practices |
7. RASHTRIYA POSHAN MAAH
- Every September is observed as Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month)
- Activities: community camps, growth monitoring, cooking demonstrations, kitchen garden promotion
- Promotes mass participation and awareness
8. MISSION POSHAN 2.0 (2021)
Launched in February 2021, it integrates:
- ICDS Anganwadi Services
- Supplementary Nutrition Programme
- Poshan Abhiyaan
- Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SABLA)
- National Creche Scheme
Aim: Unified strategy for nutritional delivery with focus on immunity, dietary diversity, and micronutrients (Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin B12).
9. CONCLUSION
POSHAN Abhiyaan is a landmark initiative addressing malnutrition through a multi-sectoral, technology-driven, life-cycle approach. Its success depends on effective convergence of schemes, community participation, and real-time monitoring at the grassroots level.
(Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine - Chapter on Social Programmes)
EXAM WRITING TIPS FOR 8 MARKS
Structure to follow in answer paper:
- Definition + Full form + Launch (2 lines) - 1 mark
- Target beneficiaries (bullet list) - 0.5 mark
- Objectives/Targets TABLE - 2 marks (examiners love tables)
- First 1000 days - 0.5 mark
- Convergence of schemes (list) - 1 mark
- 4 Pillars/Implementation (table) - 1.5 marks
- Rashtriya Poshan Maah + Mission Poshan 2.0 - 1 mark
- 1 line conclusion - 0.5 mark
Key facts to never miss: POSHAN full form, launch date (Dec 2017/Mar 2018), Ministry = MWCD, stunting target 38.4%→25%, Rashtriya Poshan Maah = September