Poshan Tracker Hindering Beneficiary Inclusion

Context:

Anganwadi workers in Haryana are facing technical challenges in registering pregnant and lactating women on the Poshan Tracker app, delaying access to nutritional benefits under the PoshanAbhiyaan scheme.

Poshan Tracker App:

Developed by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), the Poshan Tracker is a real-time digital tool for monitoring service delivery and nutritional outcomes under the PoshanAbhiyaan (launched in 2018).
It mandates facial recognition and Aadhaar e-KYC for authentication of beneficiaries, including children through guardians’ Aadhaar.

Role of Anganwadi Workers:

Anganwadi workers are frontline service providers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
Their duties include registering beneficiaries, ensuring nutrition supplementation, immunisation, and pre-school education.

Implementation Challenges:

Facial recognition failure due to technical glitches, poor camera alignment, or inadequate lighting conditions.
Mismatch in Aadhaar details, including name spelling errors, prevents successful registration.
Digital illiteracy among some workers and limited training in smartphone and app usage.
Internet connectivity issues in rural areas impede real-time data syncing and authentication.
Mobile ownership gender gap: As per MoSPI’s 2025 Telecom Survey, only 2% of rural women in Haryana own a mobile phone, compared to 94% of rural men. This gendered digital divide restricts independent access to mobile-based services.

Governance Implication:

While digital systems are introduced to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely service delivery, inadequate infrastructure and human capacity at the grassroots level can lead to exclusion of genuine beneficiaries, undermining the scheme’s intent.

PoshanAbhiyan :

Launched: 8th March 2018 in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)
Target Group: Pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children (0–6 years)
Approach: Targeted and convergent strategy to tackle malnutrition and related issues

Key Objectives

Annual Reduction Targets: Stunting: ? 2% , Undernutrition: ? 2%, Anaemia (children/women/adolescent girls): ? 3%, Low Birth Weight: ? 2%

Strategic Pillars

Quality Services:
- Focus on first 1000 days of child’s life
- Integrates services from ICDS, NHM, and PMMVY
Cross-Sectoral Convergence:
- Collaboration across 17 ministries including Drinking Water, Sanitation, Education, Health, and Women & Child Development
- Policy oversight by NITI Aayog-led National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges
Technology Use:
- Poshan Tracker: Real-time data monitoring tool
- ICDS-CAS: Strengthens delivery of services at Anganwadi centres
Jan Andolan (People’s Movement):
- Community engagement for behavioural change, nutrition awareness, and demand generation

Poshan 2.0 / Mission SakshamAnganwadi

Merged with SakshamAnganwadi Scheme in 2021 under Mission Poshan 2.0.
Focuses on:
- Upgradation of Anganwadi Centres: infrastructure (buildings, toilets, water).
- Promotion of nutri-gardens, local food practices, and community participation.
- Strengthening immunity, health, and early childhood care.