Malnutrition in India is not merely a public health concern; it is also a challenge of social equity, human development and effective welfare governance. Discuss.
10 marks · answer in 150 words · directive: Discuss
The core of a good answer
Malnutrition falls hardest on the poor, women, SCs and STs, erodes human capital for life and reflects gaps in how welfare is delivered; despite gains (stunting fell from 35.5 per cent in NFHS-5 to 29.3 per cent in NFHS-6), it needs an equity and governance response, not only a health one.
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What the question asks
The statement asks you to widen the lens beyond health. 'Discuss' needs each dimension, equity, human development and welfare governance, explained with data and schemes, and a closing view on what an integrated response looks like.
Answer outline
Introduction
NFHS-6 (2023-24), released on 29 May 2026, shows stunting among children under five at 29.3 per cent and underweight at 31.8 per cent, an improvement over NFHS-5 (2019-21) but still a large burden.
Public health dimension
- Stunting, wasting and underweight raise child mortality and disease risk.
- NFHS-5 recorded anaemia in 67.1 per cent of children aged 6 to 59 months and 57.0 per cent of women aged 15 to 49.
- Rising adult overweight and obesity show a double burden of malnutrition.
Social equity dimension
- Malnutrition is higher among the poorest, rural households, SCs and STs, and children of less educated mothers.
- Gender norms: women eat last and least; early marriage and adolescent anaemia lead to low birth weight, passing deprivation across generations.
- Regional disparity between States.
Human development dimension
- Stunting in early years affects cognitive development, school learning and adult earnings.
- It lowers the return on the demographic dividend and is reflected in HDI rankings.
- Capability approach: nutrition is a basic capability for freedom and choice.
Welfare governance dimension
- Schemes exist: NFSA 2013, PM-POSHAN, Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, Anaemia Mukt Bharat.
- Gaps: leakages, poor quality food, staff shortages at Anganwadis, weak convergence of health, WASH and food departments.
- Poshan Tracker (from 1 March 2021) used by about 13.97 lakh Anganwadi centres (PIB, 2023) helps real-time monitoring.
- Fortified rice and diet diversity, behaviour change (Jan Andolan), and local millets.
Conclusion
Malnutrition is a test of whether growth reaches the most deprived; convergent, data-driven and community-led delivery can turn recent gains into lasting human development.
Examples and data to cite
- NFHS-6 (2023-24), released 29 May 2026: stunting 29.3 per cent, underweight 31.8 per cent, severe wasting 5.2 per cent.
- NFHS-5 (2019-21): stunting 35.5 per cent, wasting 19.3 per cent, underweight 32.1 per cent.
- POSHAN Abhiyaan launched in March 2018; Mission Poshan 2.0 merges POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anganwadi Services and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls.
- National Food Security Act, 2013.
Facts to remember
- Poshan Tracker had 9.99 crore registered beneficiaries as of 28 February 2023 (PIB).
- Mission Poshan 2.0 covers all 36 States/UTs including 112 Aspirational Districts.
- Children aged 6 to 8 months receiving solid or semi-solid food with breastmilk rose from 45.9 per cent (NFHS-5) to 59.5 per cent (NFHS-6).
- Article 47 directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living.
Where it sits in the syllabus
- GS2: Poverty and hunger
Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
- GS2: Health, education, human resources
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.