The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the 8th edition of Poshan Pakhwada, a two-week nationwide campaign to strengthen awareness on nutrition, maternal care and early childhood development. The campaign is being observed from 9 April to 23 April and is linked to the broader Poshan Abhiyaan, which was launched in 2018 to improve nutritional outcomes in India.
Theme and Focus Areas
The theme of Poshan Pakhwada 2026 is Maximizing Brain Development in the First Six Years of Life. The Ministry has stressed that more than 85 per cent of brain development takes place by the age of six. It has also underlined the importance of the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy to the age of two, for brain growth, physical development and overall well-being.
Launch and Institutional Participation
The campaign was launched at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi. Minister of State Savitri Thakur and WCD Secretary Anil Malik were also present, along with representatives from partner ministries and states. The Ministry said Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada have evolved into a Jan Andolan, with large-scale participation across the country.
Coverage Under Poshan Abhiyaan
India now has more than 14 lakh Anganwadi centres serving nearly 8.9 crore beneficiaries. These include pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls and children. The Ministry said more than 150 crore sensitisation activities and over 9.8 crore community-based events have been conducted since the launch of Poshan Abhiyaan. Anganwadi workers, Anganwadi helpers and ASHA workers continue to play a key role in outreach.
Activities During the Campaign
During the two-week period, Anganwadi centres will organise awareness sessions, home visits and community programmes. The focus will be on maternal and child nutrition, breastfeeding, complementary feeding and early learning. Poshan Melas, local outreach drives and community engagement activities will also be held with the support of ASHAs, ANMs, teachers, self-help groups, Panchayati Raj institutions and local communities.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026