UPSC Prelims 2017 Q23: Current Affairs – Indian Government Schemes & Initiatives
Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’?
1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
- (d) 3 and 4 only
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan, 2018)
Its goal is to reduce malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
| Objective | In the mission? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Awareness of malnutrition among pregnant and lactating women | Yes | Through Jan Andolan and behaviour-change campaigns |
| 2. Reduce anaemia in children, adolescent girls and women | Yes | Target: cut anaemia by 3% a year |
| 3. Promote millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice | No | Not a stated objective of the mission |
| 4. Promote eating poultry eggs | No | Not a stated objective of the mission |
Targets (per year): reduce stunting and undernutrition by 2%, and anaemia and low birth weight by 3% and 2%.
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The mission focuses on awareness and cutting anaemia among children and women.
- (b) Incorrect. Promoting millets is not one of POSHAN Abhiyaan's stated objectives.
- (c) Incorrect. Promoting eggs is not a stated objective of the mission.
- (d) Incorrect. Neither millets nor eggs are its stated objectives; it leaves out the real ones.
Key point
POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018): awareness and reduced stunting, undernutrition, anaemia and low birth weight; it does not specifically promote millets or eggs.
Remember
POSHAN: awareness + anaemia cut; no millet or egg targets.
Common mistakes
- Adding millets because of later campaigns like the International Year of Millets (2023).
- Assuming egg promotion is part of a national nutrition mission.
- Not knowing POSHAN's specific yearly reduction targets.
Exam tip
Stick to a scheme's stated objectives. Plausible extras are UPSC's favourite distractors.
Sources
- Ministry of Women and Child Development — POSHAN Abhiyaan guidelines
- Press Information Bureau — National Nutrition Mission approved (2017)