9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah
The 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 will be launched on September 9, 2026, under the central theme "Hamari Anganwadi Hamari Jimmedari." It aims to place Anganwadi Centres at the center of community-led action for nutrition, early childhood development, and dietary diversity while commemorating 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
Why It Matters
Important for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs under government schemes, social welfare programs, and public health policies such as Mission Poshan 2.0 and PMMVY.
In Simple Words
The Rashtriya Poshan Maah is observed every September to mobilize communities and promote proper nutrition, health, and caregiving for women and children. The 9th edition in 2026 focuses on the theme "Hamari Anganwadi Hamari Jimmedari" and highlights the role of Anganwadi Centres in providing balanced diets, fresh hot cooked meals, and early childhood care.
The initiative operates under Mission Poshan 2.0, which consolidates key nutrition schemes including POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anganwadi Services, and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls. It emphasizes five core priorities: dietary diversity, fresh hot cooked meals, community accountability through Anganwadi Management Committees, early childhood stimulation, and celebrating 10 years of the PMMVY maternity benefit program.
Key Points
- The 9th Poshan Maah 2026 will be launched on September 9, 2026, at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- The central theme for the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah is "Hamari Anganwadi Hamari Jimmedari."
- Mission Poshan 2.0 is India's unified National Nutrition Mission anchored by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched by the Government of India in March 2018.
- The 9th Poshan Maah commemorates 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
- As of July 31, 2026, India's nutrition infrastructure spans nearly 13.99 lakh Anganwadi Centres staffed with 13.30 lakh Anganwadi workers.
- The Poshan Tracker was launched on March 1, 2021, as the primary governance tool for monitoring infrastructure and service delivery.
- The 8th Poshan Pakhwada 2026 was held from April 9 to 23, 2026, focusing on maximizing brain development in the first six years of life.
Exam Angle
A. March 2018
Source: Press Information Bureau