The Ministry has introduced ‘Poshan Tracker’ digital application as an important governance tool for real time monitoring and tracking of all Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and beneficiaries on defined indicators under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Poshan Tracker app has enabled the Ministry to review the implementation of the scheme on various parameters and to make course correction. It has facilitated near real time data collection for Anganwadi Services such as, opening of AWCs, daily attendance of children, ECCE activities, Growth Monitoring of children, Provision of Hot Cooked Meal (HCM) and Take-Home Ration (THR), Growth Measurement etc.

This Mission is a universal umbrella scheme where there are no entry barriers for any beneficiary to register and receive services. Every beneficiary who is willing to undergo the e-KYC procedure for Facial Recognition System (FRS), is fully entitled to receive the benefits of the scheme. This Aadhaar based tracking has enabled proper identification of beneficiaries, prevention of leakages and eliminating ghost entries. As per the data available on the Poshan Tracker dashboard, 99.88% registered beneficiaries are Aadhaar verified. For last mile tracking of Service Delivery, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has developed Facial Recognition System (FRS) in Poshan Tracker Application for distribution of Take-Home Ration (THR) to ensure that benefit is given only to the intended beneficiary registered in Poshan Tracker.

The Nominee Module has also been introduced in Poshan Tracker to ensure uninterrupted delivery of Take-Home Ration (THR) to the beneficiaries. If due to any reason, the registered beneficiary is unable to visit the Anganwadi Centre to receive their THR through FRS, she can choose a nominee on her behalf to receive her THR. Nominee has to undergo e-KYC only ONCE, but face matching will be done every time for receiving THR on behalf of the beneficiary. Even after addition of the nominee, beneficiary can still continue to receive THR, if they so wish to. This has improved ease of living for the beneficiaries.

The Ministry releases funds to all States and UTs for procurement of Smart Phones to Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Lady Supervisors and Block Coordinators for registration, data entry, tracking and monitoring of all beneficiaries in the Poshan Tracker application. Funds for Growth Monitoring Devices (Infantometer and Stadiometer for length and height measurement, Weighing Scale-Infant and Weighing Scale-Mother & Child for weight measurement of the beneficiaries) are also released to all the States and UTs. An amount of ₹10,000+ GST per Smart phone and ₹8,000/- for a set of 4 GMDs is provided by the Central Government on cost-sharing basis.

Outcome-based assessment and continuous monitoring are being carried out through system-generated analytics of the Poshan Tracker to evaluate the impact of digitalization on nutrition monitoring, ECCE delivery, beneficiary verification, and service efficiency. Digital learning support has been strengthened by integrating ECCE content aligned with the Navchetana (National Framework of Early Childhood Stimulation) and Aadharshila (National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education) on the Poshan Tracker in the form of videos, activity modules, and home-based learning materials. The application currently hosts 249 ECCE videos, 190 audio messages, and over 130 activity-based learning resources. For children in the 0–3 years age group, 140 home-based activities through 14 videos have been developed in the light of Navchetana framework, to support structured home visits and promote caregiver engagement for early childhood stimulation.

These initiatives have contributed to improved uniformity, quality, and effectiveness of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECCE) at Anganwadi Centres. The beneficiary interface further enables dissemination of learning content and messages to parents on ECCE, early stimulation, and childcare practices, thereby strengthening caregiver awareness and community participation in early childhood development.

An outcome-based evaluation study of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 was conducted by Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog (2025). As per the study, evidence from institutional assessments and household surveys indicates that digitalization through Poshan Tracker Application has a multi-dimensional impact on nutrition monitoring, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), beneficiary authentication, and service delivery efficiency. The Report also highlighted Poshan Tracker as a significant shift from manual, paper-based systems to a technology-enabled governance framework under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP). As per the report Poshan Tracker, introduced by MoWCD, has become the cornerstone for digital monitoring of beneficiaries, inventory, and service delivery at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs).

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.

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