The Government of India has stated that malnutrition is not recorded as a direct cause of infant and child mortality in official data, a clarification that has drawn attention to how child deaths are classified and addressed in the country. The information was shared in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur.
According to data from the Sample Registration System of the Registrar General of India, the leading causes of infant and child deaths are linked mainly to medical and birth related conditions. These include prematurity and low birth weight, which account for over 30 percent of deaths, followed by pneumonia at 16.3 percent. Other documented causes include birth asphyxia and trauma, diarrheal diseases, fever of unknown origin, injuries and causes that remain ill defined.
The minister clarified that while malnutrition remains a serious public health concern, it is not specifically recorded as an individual cause of death in the mortality classification system. Instead, deaths are attributed to immediate medical causes such as infections or complications related to birth.
Despite this classification, the government stressed that it continues to treat malnutrition as a critical issue affecting child health outcomes. Savitri Thakur highlighted that multiple nutrition schemes have been merged under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0 to strengthen delivery and monitoring across the country.
The mission follows a multi sectoral approach involving more than 18 ministries and departments. It focuses on improving nutrition, healthcare access, sanitation, drinking water and education, all of which influence child survival and growth.
Under the programme, supplementary nutrition is provided to children aged six months to six years, as well as to pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls between 14 and 18 years of age. These services follow updated nutritional norms under the National Food Security Act.
To address micronutrient deficiencies, the government has introduced fortified rice in supplementary meals and promoted the use of millets as a nutritious alternative. A joint protocol issued by the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Health and Family Welfare outlines guidelines for identifying and managing malnutrition in children, including severe and acute cases.
Around two lakh Anganwadi Centres have been approved for upgradation into Saksham Anganwadis to improve service delivery. The Poshan Tracker, a digital monitoring system, has also been rolled out to track beneficiaries and ensure timely nutrition support.
The government also highlighted targeted interventions under the PM JANMAN Mission, which focuses on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups across 18 states and one Union Territory. The initiative includes 11 key interventions implemented by nine ministries, including Women and Child Development.
As part of this effort, 2,500 new Anganwadi Centers have been sanctioned, with Maharashtra receiving approvals for 178 centers to improve access to nutrition and early childhood care services in underserved areas.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)