Madhya Pradesh has reduced child malnutrition significantly over three years, but rates remain higher than the national average, Union Minister Savitri Thakur told the Rajya Sabha on December 3. The state recorded 36.64 percent stunting, 8.45 percent wasting, and 23.25 percent underweight children in October 2025.
These figures show improvement from October 2022, when the state reported 52.37 percent stunting, 9.67 percent wasting, and 32.99 percent underweight children. The minister provided the data in response to questions from Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh.
National Comparison
The national figures also improved during the same period. Countrywide stunting dropped from 39.87 percent in October 2022 to 33.54 percent in October 2025. Wasting decreased from 8.61 percent to 5.03 percent, while underweight cases fell from 19.38 percent to 14.41 percent.
Madhya Pradesh recorded 52.9 percent anaemic pregnant women according to the National Family Health Survey 2019-21. This rate sits slightly above the national average of 52.2 percent.
The state operates 97,805 Anganwadi centres serving 64.35 lakh beneficiaries. These centres provide hot cooked meals and take-home rations to children aged six months to six years, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
The government supplies fortified rice to Anganwadi centres to address micronutrient deficiencies and control anaemia among women and children. Centres now include millets in meals at least once weekly.
The Poshan Tracker application monitors all centres and beneficiaries since March 2021. This system tracks severe acute malnutrition cases among children aged zero to five years. District-wise data remains publicly available on the Poshan Tracker website.
Government Programs
The government launched Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 under the 15th Finance Commission. This program combines Anganwadi services, Poshan Abhiyaan, and schemes for adolescent girls in aspirational districts and northeastern regions.
The mission operates as a universal scheme with no entry barriers for beneficiaries. It focuses on maternal nutrition, infant feeding practices, and treatment of severe and moderate acute malnutrition.
Nutrition norms were revised in January 2023 to provide comprehensive, balanced meals. The new standards emphasize diet diversity with quality protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients rather than just calories.
Anganwadi workers conduct two community-based events monthly to promote nutritional awareness. The government organizes Poshan Maahs in September and Poshan Pakhwadas in March-April for sustained behavioral change campaigns.
The ministries of Women and Child Development and Health and Family Welfare jointly released protocols for community management of malnutrition. This approach includes early detection, screening, and home-based treatment with local nutritious foods.
Health Ministry Initiatives
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare implements multiple programs under the National Health Mission. Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers provide care to severely malnourished children under five years with medical complications.
The Anemia Mukt Bharat strategy addresses anaemia through iron and folic acid supplementation, deworming, and fortified foods in public health programs. The Mothers’ Absolute Affection program promotes breastfeeding and proper complementary feeding practices.
National Deworming Day distributes albendazole tablets twice yearly through schools and Anganwadi centres to children and adolescents aged one to 19 years. Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days provide maternal and child health services while creating awareness about proper nutrition practices.
The government coordinates efforts across 18 ministries and departments to address malnutrition through improved sanitation, education, and access to safe drinking water.
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