Page 27 - NIS English 16-30 September, 2026

Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 | NATION

5 Key Priorities

for Poshan Maah 2026…

1 Dietary Diversity & Adequate Protein Nutrition and
Healthy and Diverse Recipe Demonstrations: Conduct live 4
demonstrations of healthy and diverse recipes at Anganwadi Centres, Early Childhood
using affordable, locally available ingredients drawn from different food Development
groups, cereals and millets, pulses, vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds,
milk and milk products, and eggs. Revised Home Visit Scheduler:
Implementation of a revised
Poshan Melas: Organise Poshan Melas showcasing local super home visit schedule based on 34
nutritious foods through interactive displays and games. Conduct developmental milestones for
awareness activities on protein-rich foods.
children aged 0 to 3 years.
Poshan Vatika: Showcase produce from Poshan Vatikas and locally Early Childhood Care:
available seasonal foods, promoting their regular use in household meals.
Promotion of early childhood
care and education programmes
2 Fresh Hot Cooked Meals (HCM) at to support brain development
Anganwadi Centres and school readiness.
Weekly Menu Rotation: States/UTs should be encouraged Timely Screening and Referral:
to operationalise weekly menu rotation at Anganwadi Centres, Timely screening and referral of
ensuring a diverse Hot Cooked Meals (HCM) menu across days children through the Rashtriya
of the week using locally available ingredients, millets, pulses and Bal Swasthya Karyakram during
seasonal vegetables. Village Health, Sanitation, and

Community Hot Cooked Meal (HCM) Tasting Sessions: Nutrition Days.
Organise community tasting sessions of HCMs at Anganwadi
Centres with participation from parents, Panchayats, SHGs and
Anganwadi Management Committees.
5 10 Successful Years of
Pradhan Mantri Matru
3 Community Ownership & Accountability Vandana Yojana

Activation of Anganwadi Management Committees 100% Coverage: A special
(AMCs): Activate AMCs across all Anganwadi Centres campaign to expedite the
to lead community participation, review nutrition service registration of all eligible
delivery & support Poshan Maah activities. Additionally, pregnant and lactating women,
ensure that at least one AMC meeting conduct at least one clear pending cases, and ensure
AMC meeting during Poshan Maah. the swift processing of Direct
SNP Menu Board Display: Ensure SNP Menu Boards Benefit Transfers.
at all Anganwadi Centres to improve beneficiary awareness Awareness and Toolkit:
day-wise. Outreach regarding scheme

Community Monitoring of Meal Quality: Engage AMCs eligibility and installments, and
and Mothers’ Committees in monitoring meal quality and the launch of the ‘PMMVY
quantity. Toolkit’ in regional languages.

mandatory to ensure transparency at the Anganwa- play a direct role in monitoring Anganwadi services
di level. Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 is not merely a and fostering good nutrition. Good nutrition and
government programme but a celebration of public responsive care during the first 1,000 days of life are
participation, where every section of society will crucial for optimal brain development. n

Sep 16-30, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 25