Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 to Launch in Varanasi With New Anganwadi Focus

Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 will strengthen nutrition, childcare and community participation through updated Anganwadi guidelines and a nationwide campaign for healthier childhood development.

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• The ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 will be launched in Varanasi on Wednesday by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• This year’s campaign builds on revised Supplementary Nutrition Programme guidelines under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, strengthening nutrition delivery nationwide.
• Revised guidelines define Hot Cooked Meals for the first time and mandate Supplementary Nutrition Programme Menu Boards at Anganwadi Centres.
• The guidelines also provide for establishing Anganwadi Management Committees to strengthen community participation, accountability and local ownership of nutrition services.
• Launched in 2018, Poshan Abhiyaan placed nutrition at the centre of India’s development agenda and has evolved into a nationwide Jan Andolan.
• The ninth edition carries the theme “Hamari Anganwadi Hamari Jimmedari”, encouraging citizens to share responsibility for Anganwadi Centres and child wellbeing.
• The campaign recognises Anganwadi Centres as important points for nutrition, healthcare, caregiving support and early learning for children across communities.
• Poshan Maah 2026 will focus on five connected themes covering dietary diversity, adequate protein, fresh cooked meals and community accountability.
• Additional themes include nutrition, early stimulation and education, supporting comprehensive childhood development through stronger caregiving and learning practices.
• The campaign aligns with the vision of building a Suposhit Bharat as a foundation for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• Rashtriya Poshan Maah is observed every September, bringing communities together to improve nutrition, health and caregiving behaviours among women and children.
• The 2026 campaign seeks stronger public participation to make nutrition services more accountable, accessible and effective through community-led Anganwadi engagement.