The Government gives utmost priority to the safety, security, health, education, nutrition and empowerment of all women and children and has adopted multi-pronged approach to address their educational, social and economic empowerment.

Poshan Abhiyaan (erstwhile National Nutrition Mission) was launched in March 2018. Under the 15th Finance Commission, various components like Anganwadi services, Poshan Abhiyaan and Scheme for Adolescent girls (of 14-18 years in Aspirational Districts and North-Eastern region) have been subsumed under the umbrella Mission called Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0) to address the challenge of malnutrition. The schemes under this mission are universal and self-selecting where there are no entry barriers for any beneficiary to register and receive free services.

One Stop Centre (OSC) is a component of the Sambal vertical under the umbrella Mission Shakti. It provides integrated and immediate support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence and those in distress, both in private and public spaces. It provides services like medical aid, legal aid and advice, temporary shelter, police assistance and psycho-social counselling to needy women.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme is also a component of Sambal vertical under the umbrella Mission Shakti. BBBP Scheme was launched on 22nd January 2015 to help address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and attendant issue of empowerment of girls and women. The scheme tries to create mindset and behavioural changes towards the girl child by informing, influencing, motivating, engaging, and empowering various stakeholders.

Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 and Mission Shakti are Centrally Sponsored Scheme and implementation of these scheme lies with the State Governments/UT Administrations. Funds are being released on the basis of guidelines of Department of Expenditure, prescribed for Single Nodal agency (SNA) or SNA SPARSH of the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

Further, once in a year, the Programme Approval Board (PAB)/ Annual Programme Implementation Plan (APIP) monitors with States and UTs, the progress of activities under the scheme and reviews status of achievement of objectives, effective delivery of services to women and children including rural and marginalized communities. Apart from this, officials of the Ministry continuously review the scheme through meetings, video conferencing and by making field visits to States/UTs from time to time.

NITI Aayog has conducted an evaluation of the schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development for Financial Years 2019 to 2024. The study found that One Stop Centre (OSC) and Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao (BBBP) are highly relevant and effectively addresses key gender challenges through integrated, data-driven services. By prioritizing vulnerable groups and fostering behaviour change through BBBP, the initiative strengthens women’s safety and empowerment across the country. In respect of Poshan Abhiyaan, the study found its relevance to be satisfactory for tackling malnutrition in the country.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Lok Sabha in reply to a question today.

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