Anganwadis and Viksit Bharat: Investing in the First 1,000 Days

Why in News?

The 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah began on September 9, 2026, with the theme “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari”, highlighting community ownership of Anganwadi Centres.

What are Anganwadi Centres?

• Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) are communitylevel institutions under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, providing integrated services for young children, pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls.
• They function as an important interface between the state, families and communities at the grassroots level.

Key functions

• Supplementary nutrition.
• Growth monitoring.
• Health and nutrition counselling.
• Referral services.
• Immunisation support.
• Early childhood care and education.
• Support for maternal and child health.

India has around 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres, serving more than 8.9 crore children, women and adolescent girls, according to the article.

Why are Anganwadis important?

• The first 1,000 days determine longterm development : The period from conception through the first two years is crucial for physical growth, brain development and future learning capacity.
• Therefore, interventions before formal schooling can significantly influence later humancapital outcomes.
• They combine nutrition with early learning : Anganwadis are not merely food distribution centres. They increasingly integrate nutrition, healthcare, childcare and schoolreadiness.
• They provide last mile state capacity : Because Anganwadi workers and helpers are drawn from local communities, the centre can connect government programmes with householdlevel needs.
• They strengthen community participation : Parents, Panchayats and SelfHelp Groups can participate in monitoring services, making welfare delivery more accountable.

POSHAN Abhiyaan and Poshan Maah

POSHAN Abhiyaan

Launched in March 2018, POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to improve nutritional outcomes through convergence, technology, behavioural change and community participation.

Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026

• The 9th Poshan Maah focuses on making community participation an institutional mechanism rather than merely an awareness campaign.
• Its 2026 theme is: “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari”