Poshan Abhiyaan Free Nutrition, Health, and Cash Support for Every Mother and Child
India's national nutrition mission covering 8 crore pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 6. Hot meals, take-home rations, growth monitoring, and maternal cash support — all from your nearest Anganwadi centre.
8 Cr+
Beneficiaries covered annually
₹5,000
Maternity benefit under PMMVY
6 Years
Age up to which child benefits apply
13.9L
Anganwadi centres across India
🍼
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana — ₹5,000 Cash for First Pregnancy Every first-time pregnant woman is entitled to ₹5,000 in three cash installments under PMMVY (Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana). This is in addition to Anganwadi nutrition services. Register at your nearest Anganwadi or health centre within the first trimester. Third installment requires proof of child vaccination.
📖 Overview
What Is Poshan Abhiyaan — India's Fight Against Malnutrition
Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched in March 2018 with the goal of reducing stunting, wasting, anaemia, and low birth weight in India by specific targets each year. It coordinates nutrition-related services across multiple ministries — Women and Child Development, Health, and Food — delivered primarily through India's 13.9 lakh Anganwadi centres.
India has one of the world's highest rates of child malnutrition despite economic growth. Poshan Abhiyaan addresses this by targeting the first 1,000 days of life (from pregnancy through age 2) — the period when nutrition has the most critical and irreversible impact on a child's brain development, immune system, and physical growth.
The programme has two main arms: services (supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, growth monitoring, pre-school education) delivered through Anganwadis, and cash transfers (maternity benefit under PMMVY) for registered pregnant women.
💡 Your Anganwadi Is the GatewayAll Poshan Abhiyaan benefits are accessed through your nearest Anganwadi centre. Register during pregnancy — ideally in the first trimester. The Anganwadi worker (ANM/AWW) becomes your primary nutrition contact for the first 6 years of your child's life. Consistent registration and attendance is key to receiving all benefits.
🎁 Benefits Package
Complete Benefits for Each Beneficiary Type — 2025
Pregnant and Lactating Women
Supplementary Nutrition: Daily hot cooked meal (600 kcal, 18–20g protein) OR take-home ration (THR) for months they cannot attend Anganwadi
Health check-ups: Regular weight monitoring, blood pressure, haemoglobin testing, and referral to PHC/CHC if complications detected
Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) tablets: Free supply throughout pregnancy and 6 months post-delivery
PMMVY Cash Benefit: ₹5,000 in 3 installments for first pregnancy — see below
Severely underweight children (0–3 years): 800 kcal supplementary nutrition daily
Normal children (0–6 years): Hot cooked meal or THR depending on age — minimum 500 kcal daily
Growth monitoring: Monthly weighing and height measurement, plotted on WHO growth charts — early identification of growth faltering
Immunisation tracking: Anganwadi worker coordinates with ASHA to ensure full vaccination coverage
Pre-school education (3–6 years): Informal early childhood education at Anganwadi — singing, drawing, numbers, alphabets
PMMVY — Maternity Cash Benefit (₹5,000)
Installment
Condition
Amount
First Installment
Early registration of pregnancy (within 150 days of last menstrual period)
₹1,000
Second Installment
Completion of one ANC (antenatal check-up) and IFA tablet intake
₹2,000
Third Installment
Child's birth registered + BCG + OPV + DPT first dose received
₹2,000
🗺️ How to Register
How to Access Poshan Abhiyaan Benefits — Registration Process
1
Find Your Nearest Anganwadi CentreEvery ward/village has at least one Anganwadi centre. Ask neighbours, your ASHA worker, or search the Poshan Tracker app (available on Android/iOS) to locate your nearest centre with its operating hours.
2
Register During Pregnancy — First Trimester PreferredVisit the Anganwadi with your Aadhaar card, MCP (Mother and Child Protection) card if you have one, and bank account details. The Anganwadi Worker (AWW) registers you on the Poshan Tracker app — this is mandatory for DBT (cash transfer) benefits.
3
Attend Regularly for Nutrition and Check-UpsVisit the Anganwadi at least once a week during pregnancy and monthly for child check-ups. Non-attendance can result in reduced benefits or missed installments.
4
PMMVY Cash: Register at Anganwadi or OnlineFor PMMVY cash installments, register at the Anganwadi or online at pmmvy.wcd.gov.in. Provide Aadhaar and bank account details. Installments are credited directly to your bank account after each condition is met.
❓ FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions — Verified 2025
PMMVY benefit of ₹5,000 is available for the first live birth only. For the second child, there is no PMMVY cash benefit — but all Anganwadi nutrition services (supplementary food, health check-ups, growth monitoring) continue for the child regardless of birth order. Exceptions exist for second pregnancy if the first child did not survive.
Supplementary nutrition is a legal entitlement under the Supreme Court's order in the PUCL vs Union of India case (2001). If your Anganwadi is not providing food, report to the CDPO (Child Development Project Officer) of your block. Escalate to the District Programme Officer if no action. File an RTI to get data on nutrition allocation vs distribution for your Anganwadi — this forces accountability.
Yes. While Aadhaar is required for cash transfers (PMMVY), nutrition services at the Anganwadi do not require Aadhaar — any woman can walk in and receive the food and health services. Apply for Aadhaar simultaneously. For cash benefits, you can register with alternative documents initially and update Aadhaar once obtained.
Apply for This Scheme Today
Visit the official government portal. Completely free — no payment to any agent or middleman at any step.
Disclaimer: MeraHaq is an independent citizen information platform. Not affiliated with any government department. All information sourced from official .gov.in portals. Last verified: January 2025.