Ministry of Women and Child Development launches Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026: Nationwide campaign focuses on dietary diversity, adequate protein intake and fresh hot cooked meals

The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, under the theme "Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari." The month-long nationwide campaign runs from September 9 to October 8, 2026, focusing on dietary diversity, adequate protein intake, fresh hot cooked meals, community ownership, and early childhood development. Union officials highlighted that over 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres currently serve more than 7.5 crore children and 1.10 crore pregnant and lactating women under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. The event also commemorated ten years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which has transferred over ₹21,000 crore via Direct Benefit Transfer to more than 4.65 crore mothers.