Introduction: Redefining India Nutrition Strategy

India’s nutrition crisis extends beyond food insecurity, encompassing cultural practices, gender dynamics, and diet-related diseases across all population groups. While Budget 2025 has allocated increased funding for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, these initiatives primarily target maternal and child malnutrition, neglecting other at-risk groups. A holistic nutrition strategy is required—one that acknowledges diverse dietary needs, integrates local food systems, and utilizes health and wellness centres as effective distribution channels.

Evolution of Nutritional Security Programs in India

Post-Independence Era (1950s-1970s): Ensuring Food Sufficiency & Basic Nutrition Support

In the initial years after independence, India grappled with severe food shortages, famine risks, and widespread malnutrition, leading to a food security-first approach.
The government’s primary focus was on boosting agricultural production and ensuring minimum food availability for the masses.
Nutrition-specific policies were limited and mainly targeted feeding programs for children and mothers.

Key Initiatives:

• Public Distribution System (PDS) (Expanded Post-1947): Originally introduced during World War II, PDS was expanded to provide subsidized staple grains to combat food insecurity.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (1975): Launched to provide supplementary nutrition, immunization, and preschool education for children under six and pregnant/lactating mothers.
• Balwadi Nutrition Programme (1970s): Provided nutritional supplements to preschool children in rural areas.

Green Revolution & Expansion of Food-Based Schemes (1980s-1990s)

With the success of the Green Revolution (1960s-70s) ensuring food self-sufficiency, the government shifted its focus to expanding social welfare programs for nutrition.
Recognizing that malnutrition persisted despite food availability, nutrition programs were institutionalized within healthcare and education systems.

Key Initiatives:

• Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) (1995, Formalized in 2001): Introduced to provide cooked meals to schoolchildren, improving both nutrition and school enrollment.
• National Nutrition Policy (1993): Adopted a multi-sectoral approach, integrating agriculture, health, and food distribution to enhance nutritional outcomes.
• Universal Immunization Programme (1985): Aimed at combating nutrient deficiencies linked to infections.

Rights-Based Approach & Micronutrient Interventions (2000s-2010s)

The 2000s marked a shift from a welfare-based approach to a rights-based framework, emphasizing food security and micronutrient interventions.
The government acknowledged “hidden hunger” (micronutrient deficiencies) and introduced legal provisions to ensure universal food access.

Key Initiatives:

• National Food Security Act (NFSA) (2013): Granted legal entitlement to PDS benefits, covering up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population.
• Iron & Folic Acid Supplementation (2013): Addressed widespread anemia among women and children.
• Food Fortification Programs: Introduced fortified rice, wheat, and milk to combat micronutrient deficiencies.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan (Launched in 2018): Aimed at improving the nutritional status of children (0-6 years), adolescent girls, and pregnant/lactating mothers.

Comprehensive Nutrition & Health Integration (2020s – Present)

India’s current approach integrates nutrition, healthcare, agriculture, and behavioral change, acknowledging that malnutrition is influenced by food quality, affordability, and awareness.
The government is leveraging digital technology, local food systems, and climate-resilient agriculture for improved nutritional outcomes.

Key Initiatives:

• Poshan 2.0 (2022): Merged ICDS, Mid-Day Meal, and POSHAN Abhiyaan to adopt a life-cycle approach to nutrition.
• Millets Promotion (International Year of Millets 2023): Encouraged the inclusion of nutrient-rich, climate-resilient millets in PDS, Mid-Day Meals, and ICDS.
• One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC): Ensured access to subsidized food for migrant workers across India.
• Health & Wellness Centres (Ayushman Bharat): Integrated nutrition counseling, non-communicable disease prevention, and lifestyle interventions into primary healthcare.

Why Does India Continue to Struggle with Nutritional Insecurity?

Persistent Child Malnutrition and Anemia

India’s emphasis on food security has not translated into nutritional security, leading to persistently high rates of child malnutrition and anemia.
Factors such as poverty, lack of dietary diversity, and poor maternal health continue to impact early childhood nutrition.

• According to NFHS-5 (2019-21): 
  • 36% of children under five are stunted.
  • 57% of women (ages 15-49) are anemic.
• Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023: India ranks 111 out of 125 countries, highlighting significant hunger and malnutrition challenges.

The Double Burden of Malnutrition: Undernutrition & Rising Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

While undernutrition remains a concern, urbanization and changing dietary patterns have led to increasing obesity and diet-related NCDs, such as diabetes and hypertension.

• High consumption of processed, sugar-laden foods and sedentary lifestyles have worsened health outcomes (Economic Survey 2023-24).
• Despite this, nutrition policies still emphasize calorie intake over dietary quality.
• Affordable, healthy food remains inaccessible for many, while junk food is cheap and widely available.
• Current estimates: 
  • Nearly 25% of India’s population (both men and women) is overweight or obese.
  • Around 77 million adults suffer from Type 2 diabetes, with nearly 25 million at risk of developing it.

Gender and Social Disparities in Nutrition Access

Nutritional security in India is deeply impacted by gender discrimination, caste hierarchies, and social inequalities.

• Women, particularly in rural households, often eat last and consume the least, leading to widespread micronutrient deficiencies.
• Government programs primarily focus on pregnant women, neglecting adolescent girls and elderly women.
• NFHS-5 report: No significant improvement in women’s health and nutritional status over recent years.

Climate Change and Agricultural Distress

Extreme weather conditions, such as heatwaves, erratic monsoons, and droughts, are adversely affecting crop yields, food prices, and dietary diversity.

• Climate-induced food insecurity is particularly severe in vulnerable states like Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.
• India recorded its warmest February in 124 years, negatively impacting rabi wheat yields.
• Government data indicate that India’s rice and wheat production could decline by 6-10% due to climate change.

Weak Implementation of Nutrition Programs

Despite initiatives like PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal), Saksham Anganwadi, and Food Fortification, implementation challenges, leakages, and exclusion errors limit their effectiveness.

• Many Anganwadi centers lack trained staff, and take-home rations are often substandard.
• The urban poor and migrant workers remain excluded from formal nutrition safety nets, leaving them vulnerable to hidden hunger.
• Key findings: 
  • Nearly 28% of India’s subsidized grains meant for the poor are lost due to leakages, costing the government significantly.
  • A recent CAG report found that many Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) lack basic amenities like toilets and drinking water, putting young children in unhygienic conditions.

Economic Inequality and Rising Food Prices

The post-pandemic economic slowdown, inflation, and global supply chain disruptions have made nutritious food expensive, disproportionately affecting low-income households.

• While free grain distribution under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ensures caloric sufficiency, it does not address deficiencies in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Many Indians consume enough food but remain malnourished due to poor dietary quality and affordability issues.
• Retail food inflation remained above 8% from November 2023 to June 2024, with sharp price spikes in pulses and vegetables.

Urban Food Deserts and Poor Dietary Diversity

Rapid urbanization has led to the emergence of “food deserts”—areas where affordable, nutritious food is scarce, but processed and fast food is readily available.

• Low-income urban families, particularly migrant workers and daily wage laborers, struggle to access fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
• As a result, they rely on cheap, processed, and calorie-dense foods, increasing both micronutrient deficiencies and obesity-related health risks.
• Findings from the Indian food market: 
  • 68% of packaged food and beverage products contain excess amounts of at least one harmful ingredient, such as high sugar, salt, or trans fats.

Weak Public Awareness and Behavioral Challenges

Despite government efforts, awareness about nutrition remains low, with food choices often dictated by cultural beliefs, misinformation, and aggressive marketing.

• Many households prioritize taste, tradition, and affordability over nutritional value.
• School curriculums and public campaigns lack a strong focus on practical nutrition education.
• Key findings: 
  • 85% of Indians are unaware of vegetarian protein sources.
  • More than 50% do not know about healthy fats.

Measures India Can Adopt to Enhance Nutritional Security

Strengthening Health & Wellness Centers (HWCs) for Community-Led Nutrition

HWCs should be upgraded into Nutrition Resource Centers, offering personalized diet counseling, regular screenings for malnutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and customized meal plans based on local dietary habits.

• Integrating Poshan 2.0 with Ayushman Bharat HWCs can extend nutrition services beyond maternal health to include adolescents, the elderly, and those suffering from NCDs.
• Deploying dedicated community nutrition officers can bridge the gap between healthcare and dietary interventions, ensuring nutrition is embedded into public health services.

Revamping Mid-Day Meals with Local Food Systems

The Mid-Day Meal Scheme should prioritize regionally available, nutrient-rich foods such as millets, pulses, and leafy greens instead of relying heavily on rice and wheat.

• A decentralized approach, involving Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), can provide fresh, diverse, and culturally appropriate meals for children.
• Integrating PM-POSHAN with the Millets Mission will promote nutritionally superior grains while also supporting rural livelihoods.

Mandatory Fortification to Address Micronutrient Deficiencies

Expanding the fortification of staple foods—such as rice, wheat, milk, and edible oils—can help combat “hidden hunger” without requiring major dietary changes.

• Linking fortified food distribution with the Public Distribution System (PDS) will ensure that even low-income groups receive essential vitamins and minerals.
• However, fortification should be complemented by dietary diversification to prevent over-reliance on synthetic nutrients and maintain access to natural sources of essential micronutrients.

Creating Healthier Urban Food Environments

• Implementing a graded taxation system on ultra-processed, high-sugar, and trans-fat-laden foods can discourage unhealthy eating habits while making healthier alternatives more affordable.
• Introducing zoning laws to limit fast-food outlets near schools and healthcare facilities can help nudge people toward healthier choices.
• Linking the Eat Right India movement with the FSSAI Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL) initiative will ensure consumers have clear nutritional information to make informed food choices.

Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture for Nutritionally Resilient Food Production

India needs to shift away from calorie-dense monoculture farming (rice & wheat) toward nutrient-dense, climate-resilient crops like millets, pulses, and biofortified varieties.

• Policies like the National Food Security Act (NFSA) should be amended to include millets in the PDS, providing incentives for farmers to diversify crops.
• Expanding watershed management, agroforestry, and regenerative farming will improve soil health and ensure sustainable production of nutrient-rich foods despite climate challenges.

Expanding Social Protection Schemes for Nutritional Security

• The PDS should go beyond calorie sufficiency and include nutrient-dense foods such as pulses, millets, and fortified dairy products.
• Expanding the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to cover adolescent girls and elderly women will address lifelong nutritional vulnerabilities and deficiencies.
• Linking Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to nutrition support for vulnerable populations—including migrant workers and the urban poor—can offer flexibility in food choices while ensuring food security.

Launching Mass Nutrition Literacy Campaigns

A nationwide “Right to Nutrition” campaign should be introduced in schools, workplaces, and social media platforms to build awareness about balanced diets, food labeling, and the risks of unhealthy food.

• Engaging influencers, faith-based organizations, and community leaders can help dispel nutrition myths, particularly in marginalized communities.
• Expanding Eat Right India into a year-round grassroots movement will instill healthy dietary habits from childhood.

India must shift its focus from food security to comprehensive nutritional well-being, aligning with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being).

• Enhancing Health & Wellness Centers (HWCs), promoting local food systems, and addressing malnutrition across all age groups can help bridge existing policy gaps.

• A community-driven, climate-resilient, and inclusive approach is essential for ensuring sustainable and equitable nutrition security for all.