Which of the following are the objectives of 'National Nutrition Mission'? 1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. 2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. 3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice. 4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Contents12
- A1 and 2 only
- B1, 2 and 3 only
- C1, 2 and 4 only
- D3 and 4 only
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
The National Nutrition Mission has two main components:
(1) Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign against malnutrition, and
(2) Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme.
Its key objectives include:
- creating awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers (statement 1),
- promoting healthy lactating practices and importance of balanced nutrition,
- improving maternal and child under-nutrition in 200 high-burden districts,
- preventing and reducing under-nutrition among children below 3 years, and
- reducing the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls, and women (statement 2).
Statement 1 is correct: Awareness creation about malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers is a core objective.
Statement 2 is correct: Reducing anaemia is also a stated objective of the mission.
Statement 3 is incorrect: While promoting millets, coarse cereals, and unpolished rice may be a good nutrition practice, it is NOT a specifically listed objective of the National Nutrition Mission. This may be confused with other government initiatives related to millets (like the Year of Millets).
Statement 4 is incorrect: Similarly, promoting consumption of poultry eggs is NOT a stated objective of the mission. Some states have independently introduced egg distribution in school meals (like mid-day meals), but this is not part of the National Nutrition Mission's objectives.
UPSC often includes options that sound nutritionally logical but are not officially part of the stated scheme objectives.
So only statements 1 and 2 are correct.
National Nutrition Mission was launched in 2018 with a budget of Rs 9,046 crores to address malnutrition in 315 districts across India.
The mission was announced in Budget 2017-18, making it a current affairs topic for UPSC 2017, focusing specifically on maternal and child nutrition rather than general food promotion.
UPSC tests whether students can distinguish between official scheme objectives versus general nutrition practices that sound logical but are not part of the mission.
National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan)
Indian Economy National Nutrition Mission
National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan): Objectives & Implementation
National Nutrition Mission launched in 2018 to address malnutrition in 200 high-burden districts
Two main components: IEC Campaign against malnutrition and Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme
Targets pregnant women, lactating mothers, children under 3 years, adolescent girls
Focus on stunting, wasting, anaemia reduction and low birth weight prevention
Mission Overview
POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) is India's flagship programme to combat malnutrition through targeted interventions for vulnerable groups. Launched under Ministry of Women and Child Development, it addresses the multi-dimensional nature of malnutrition through coordinated action across ministries.
Core Objectives
Objective | Target Group | Specific Goal |
|---|---|---|
Awareness Creation | Pregnant women & lactating mothers | IEC campaign against malnutrition |
Anaemia Reduction | Children, adolescent girls, women | Prevent iron deficiency anaemia |
Stunting Reduction | Children under 3 years | Reduce chronic malnutrition by 2% annually |
Wasting Reduction | Children under 3 years | Reduce acute malnutrition |
Low Birth Weight | Newborns | Improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy |
Implementation Strategy
200 high-burden districts identified based on malnutrition indicators
Multi-sectoral approach involving Health, ICDS, Drinking Water & Sanitation ministries
Technology integration through real-time monitoring and Common Application Software
Convergence mechanism to ensure coordinated service delivery at district level
Question Context
This 2017 question tests knowledge of the officially stated objectives versus general nutritional practices. The mission specifically targets malnutrition awareness and anaemia reduction, but does NOT officially promote specific foods like millets or eggs.
Trap: Promoting millets and coarse cereals sounds nutritionally logical but is NOT an official NNM objective
Trap: Poultry egg consumption is promoted in some state schemes but NOT part of National Nutrition Mission
Confusion: Don't mix Year of Millets 2018 initiatives with National Nutrition Mission objectives
Key distinction: Mission focuses on awareness and anaemia reduction, not specific food promotion
Government Nutrition Schemes & Food Security
Indian Economy
Government Nutrition Schemes: Comparative Analysis for UPSC
Multiple schemes address nutrition through different approaches - awareness, food distribution, supplementation
Mid Day Meal Scheme includes egg distribution in some states, NOT National Nutrition Mission
Millets promotion covered under separate agricultural and food security initiatives
Major Nutrition Schemes
Scheme | Ministry | Primary Focus | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
National Nutrition Mission | WCD | Malnutrition awareness & anaemia | IEC campaigns, 200 districts |
Mid Day Meal Scheme | Education | School nutrition | Cooked meals, egg distribution in some states |
ICDS | WCD | Early childhood nutrition | Anganwadi services, supplementary nutrition |
PDS | Consumer Affairs | Food security | Subsidized grains distribution |
Millets Mission | Agriculture | Crop diversification | Promoting millets cultivation & consumption |
Scheme-Specific Interventions
Egg distribution: Part of Mid Day Meal in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, NOT National Nutrition Mission
Millets promotion: Covered under National Food Security Mission and agricultural policies
Iron supplementation: Common across ICDS, school health programmes, and National Nutrition Mission
Fortification: Rice fortification under PDS, salt iodization under food safety regulations
Don't confuse: Egg distribution in Mid Day Meal Scheme with National Nutrition Mission objectives
Don't mix: Millets promotion under agricultural schemes with nutrition mission targets
Watch out: UPSC often tests scheme-specific objectives vs general nutritional practices
Remember: Each scheme has distinct objectives - don't assume overlap without verification
Malnutrition Indicators & Health Targets
Indian Economy malnutrition anaemia
Malnutrition in India: Key Indicators & Government Targets
Three key malnutrition indicators: stunting (chronic), wasting (acute), underweight (composite)
Anaemia affects over 50% of women and children in India according to recent surveys
National targets: Reduce stunting and wasting by 2% annually under nutrition mission
Malnutrition Types & Measurements
Indicator | Definition | Measurement | India Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Stunting | Low height for age | Chronic malnutrition | ~35% children under 5 |
Wasting | Low weight for height | Acute malnutrition | ~17% children under 5 |
Underweight | Low weight for age | Composite indicator | ~32% children under 5 |
Anaemia | Low hemoglobin levels | Iron deficiency | ~53% women, ~59% children |
Vulnerable Groups Priority
Pregnant women: Higher nutritional needs, anaemia risk affects maternal mortality
Lactating mothers: Critical for early childhood nutrition through breastfeeding
Children under 3: First 1000 days crucial for preventing stunting
Adolescent girls: High anaemia prevalence, future maternal health impact
Malnutrition Causes
# Malnutrition in India
## Immediate Causes
- Poor dietary intake
- Disease & infections
- Micronutrient deficiency
## Underlying Causes
- Food insecurity
- Poor sanitation
- Limited healthcare access
## Basic Causes
- Poverty
- Gender inequality
- Education gapsDon't confuse: Stunting (height) vs Wasting (weight) - both are different malnutrition types
Remember: Anaemia specifically mentioned as NNM objective, not general malnutrition
Watch: Questions may test specific age groups - under 3 for stunting, adolescent girls for anaemia