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UPSC Notes

Child Malnutrition in India

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Central to human development, social justice, public health, and the effectiveness of government welfare programs. It directly impacts India's demographic dividend and sustainable development goals.

Child malnutrition, encompassing undernutrition forms like stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies, remains a significant public health challenge in India, impacting physical and cognitive development. It is a complex issue influenced by a multitude of factors including food security, healthcare access, sanitation, maternal health, and socio-economic conditions.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Stunting Reduction (NFHS-6)

Declined from 35.5% to 29.3% for children under five.

Wasting Levels (NFHS-6)

Showed no significant change, except for severe forms.

Drivers of Progress

Improved healthcare access, immunization, maternal education, housing, water, and sanitation.

Persistent Challenges

Poor feeding practices (early breastfeeding, complementary feeding) and limited access to quality, affordable diets.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaHuman Development
Conceptual areaPublic Health
Conceptual areaSocial Justice & Development

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Health and Family WelfareImplements health services
Ministry of Women and Child DevelopmentFormulates policy
ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)Provides dietary guidelines
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • NFHS-6: Stunting down (29.3%), wasting stagnant.
  • Gains from health access, WASH; challenges in feeding practices, diet quality.
  • Maternal time poverty & processed food consumption are key determinants.
  • POSHAN Abhiyaan needs more focus on prevention (first 1000 days).
  • Multisectoral convergence and frontline worker empowerment are crucial.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) : 1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology. 2. MPI calculated by NI...

EconomyOpen question
2024Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements: 1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenat...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy: 1. It provides prophylactic calcium su...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its object...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy: 1. It provides prophylactic calcium su...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its object...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2017Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? 1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactatin...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? 1. UN...

International RelationsOpen question
2017Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? 1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactatin...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? 1. UN...

International RelationsOpen question
2016Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. C...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Topic timeline

Human DevelopmentPublic HealthSocial Justice & Development
Prelims 2016· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. C...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? 1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactatin...

Open question

With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? 1. UN...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? 1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactatin...

Open question

With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? 1. UN...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy: 1. It provides prophylactic calcium su...

Open question

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its object...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy: 1. It provides prophylactic calcium su...

Open question

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its object...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements: 1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenat...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) : 1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology. 2. MPI calculated by NI...

Open question

NFHS-6 reveals progress amid nutrition challenges

19 Jun 2026 · Child malnutrition in India, as per NFHS-6, shows progress in stunting reduction due to better health services and sanitation, but persistent challenges in wasting and feeding practices. Key determinants include maternal time poverty and diet quality, necessitating multisectoral interventions and strengthened frontline worker support.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Child Malnutrition in India

Often confused with

National Family Health Survey (NFHS)

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Child Malnutrition in India in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Child Malnutrition in India

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy: 1. It provides prophylactic calcium su...

2023·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. C...

2016·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? 1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactatin...

2017·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) : 1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology. 2. MPI calculated by NI...

2026·Economy
Solve

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its object...

2023·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? 1. UN...

2017·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

2022·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements: 1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenat...

2024·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

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