Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026: Month-long nutrition campaign to launch in Varanasi on September 9 to focus on 5 key areas

The 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, or National Nutrition Month, will be launched on September 9, 2026, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This year's campaign will focus on the important role of Anganwadi Centres in improving nutrition, childcare and early childhood development. The central theme of Poshan Maah 2026 is 'Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari', which means 'Our Anganwadi, Our Responsibility'. The campaign aims to encourage people to take greater responsibility for Anganwadi Centres and support nutrition-related work in their communities. Advertisement Rashtriya Poshan Maah is observed every September. It focuses on pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, adolescents and their families. The campaign promotes healthy food habits, better childcare, hygiene and awareness about nutrition. The government launched POSHAN Abhiyaan in 2018 as a national effort to fight malnutrition. In 2021, these efforts were brought together under Mission Poshan 2.0, led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Advertisement Five key areas to get special focus This year's Poshan Maah will focus on five major areas: Dietary diversity and adequate protein: Families will be encouraged to include cereals and millets, pulses, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, milk products and eggs in their daily diets. Families will be encouraged to include cereals and millets, pulses, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, milk products and eggs in their daily diets. Fresh hot cooked meals at Anganwadi Centres: The campaign will promote fresh, nutritious and hygienic meals, weekly menu changes, food safety checks and community tasting sessions. The campaign will promote fresh, nutritious and hygienic meals, weekly menu changes, food safety checks and community tasting sessions. Community ownership and accountability: Anganwadi Management Committees will be strengthened to monitor nutrition services, while menu boards will help families understand the meals and benefits available at centres. Anganwadi Management Committees will be strengthened to monitor nutrition services, while menu boards will help families understand the meals and benefits available at centres. Nutrition and early childhood development: The campaign will highlight the link between good nutrition, brain development and learning, with special attention to the first 1,000 days of a child's life. The campaign will highlight the link between good nutrition, brain development and learning, with special attention to the first 1,000 days of a child's life. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): As the maternity benefit scheme completes 10 years, special drives will help eligible pregnant and lactating women learn about and access its benefits. Nearly 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres across India Anganwadi Centres are a major part of India's nutrition and childcare system. As of July 31, 2026, the country had nearly 13.99 lakh Anganwadi Centres with around 13.30 lakh Anganwadi workers. Advertisement The network serves nearly 8.94 crore beneficiaries. Children between six months and six years account for more than 7.2 crore beneficiaries, while pregnant women and lactating mothers together number nearly 1.1 crore. The government is also using the Poshan Tracker, a digital platform launched in 2021, to monitor services such as attendance, growth checks, nutrition support and early childhood activities. Advertisement The campaign aims to make nutrition a people-led movement by bringing families, communities and local groups together. Through Mission Poshan 2.0, the government hopes to improve nutrition services and support healthier growth and development among children and mothers.