Question

The most recent flagship programme of Government of India to improve nutritional status of children, adolescent and pregnant woman is:

• A. ICDS
• B. Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY)
• C. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK)
• D. Poshan Abhiyan

Hint:

Poshan Abhiyan = National Nutrition Mission. It targets the "First 1000 days" of a child's life as a critical window for intervention.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question identifies the most recent and comprehensive "flagship" nutrition scheme launched by the Central Government.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) is the oldest program (launched in 1975).

• JSY and JSSK focus primarily on institutional delivery and maternal/infant health services rather than a broad "nutrition mission."

• Poshan Abhiyan (PM's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) was launched in March 2018. It is the current flagship mission.

• Its specific goals include reducing stunting, under-nutrition, anemia (among young children, women, and adolescent girls), and low birth weight.

• It aims to use technology (real-time monitoring), convergence between different ministries, and a "Jan Andolan" (people's movement) to achieve a malnutrition-free India by 2022.

Step 3: Final Answer: The most recent flagship program is Poshan Abhiyan.