India launches 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 nutrition campaign

The 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 has been launched as a month-long national campaign to combat malnutrition in India. The initiative, running from September 9 to October 8, 2026, focuses on improving nutrition, health, and early childhood development for women, children, and adolescents.

Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi launched the ‘Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari’ campaign in Varanasi, calling for a ‘Jan Andolan’ or mass movement to achieve a malnutrition-free nation. The government is currently upgrading 2 lakh Anganwadi Centres into Saksham Anganwadis to enhance service delivery. Currently, over 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres provide care to approximately 7.5 crore children, 1.10 crore pregnant and lactating women, and 16 lakh adolescent girls.

Key thematic areas of the campaign include dietary diversity, adequate protein intake, fresh hot cooked meals, sanitation, and early childhood stimulation. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has reached a milestone of ten years, having transferred over Rs 21,000 crore via Direct Benefit Transfer to more than 4.65 crore mothers.