PRESS NOTE

Poshan Tracker Reflects Sustained Improvement in Child Nutrition Indicators in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, July 13: The Department of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, UT Chandigarh, has clarified that the nutritional indicators reported under the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) and the Poshan Tracker should be interpreted in the context of their distinct objectives, methodologies and coverage. While both systems provide valuable insights into child nutrition, they are designed for different purposes and are therefore not directly comparable.

The NFHS-6 survey for Chandigarh was conducted between April 3 and October 1, 2024 based on a representative sample of 806 households, 766 women and 120 men. The survey does not specify the number of children covered under the sample. In comparison, the Poshan Tracker currently captures real-time data of 34,619 registered children, including 2,700 children aged 0–6 months, 16,587 children aged 6 months–3 years and 15,332 children aged 3–6 years.

The Department stated that the differences observed between NFHS-6 and Poshan Tracker indicators are primarily due to their distinct objectives, methodologies, coverage and data collection mechanisms. NFHS-6 is a nationally representative household survey that generates population-level estimates through a scientifically selected sample. In contrast, the Poshan Tracker is a programme-based administrative platform that records real-time anthropometric measurements of children enrolled under Anganwadi Services. It facilitates continuous growth monitoring, early identification of nutritional concerns and timely delivery of nutrition and health interventions at the individual beneficiary level.

Children monitored through the Poshan Tracker receive regular growth monitoring, supplementary nutrition, nutrition and health counselling, timely health referrals and follow-up services under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0. These interventions enable early detection and management of malnutrition, leading to improved nutritional outcomes. Since NFHS-6 is a cross-sectional survey based on a comparatively smaller sample, estimates relating to Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and underweight may also be influenced by sampling variability.

The Department further clarified that NFHS-6 includes all eligible children in sampled households, irrespective of their enrolment in Anganwadi Centres, whereas the Poshan Tracker covers only beneficiaries registered under ICDS. This difference in the reference population also contributes to the variation in reported prevalence rates.

A comparison of nutritional indicators further highlights the positive outcomes being achieved under the Poshan Tracker. The prevalence of wasting in Chandigarh stands at 22.8% as per NFHS-6, compared to 3% under the Poshan Tracker at the national level and 0.93% under the Poshan Tracker for Chandigarh. Similarly, stunting is reported at 19.0% in NFHS-6, 29% in the national Poshan Tracker and 10.28% in the Poshan Tracker for Chandigarh. In the case of underweight children, NFHS-6 reports 31.6%, while the Poshan Tracker records 11% at the national level and 4.81% in Chandigarh.

The Poshan Tracker continues to reflect sustained improvement in child nutrition indicators in Chandigarh. The encouraging outcomes reflect the impact of sustained growth monitoring, supplementary nutrition, nutrition and health counselling together with coordinated health interventions under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0.

The Department emphasized that NFHS-6 and the Poshan Tracker are complementary sources of information, each serving a distinct purpose. While NFHS-6 provides population-level evidence for policy formulation and evaluation, the Poshan Tracker functions as a real-time programme management tool for continuous monitoring, timely interventions and improved service delivery. Together, the two systems strengthen evidence-based policymaking and support the Government’s continued efforts to improve the nutritional status and overall well-being of children, pregnant women and lactating mothers in Chandigarh.