Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 to launch in Varanasi on Sep 9 with Annpurna Devi
Synopsis
India's ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah launches from Varanasi on 9 September with a milestone twist — the 2026 edition doubles as a celebration of 10 years of PMMVY, the maternity benefit scheme. A 100 per cent saturation enrolment drive and a new PMMVY Toolkit for states signal a push to move beyond awareness into measurable coverage.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Annpurna Devi will launch Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 on 9 September 2026 in Varanasi .
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and MoS Savitri Thakur will join the inauguration at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre .
The ninth edition of the campaign marks 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) as a special theme.
A 100 per cent saturation drive will enrol all eligible pregnant and lactating women and expedite Direct Benefit Transfers.
A PMMVY Toolkit for localisation by states and Union Territories will be launched during the event.
The campaign will be observed across all states and UTs through events at Anganwadi centres , schools, panchayats, and households throughout September.
Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi will formally launch the ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 on 9 September 2026 in Varanasi, kicking off a month-long national nutrition campaign aimed at improving the health of women, children, and adolescents across India. The announcement was made through an official statement on Monday, 7 September.
Launch Event Details
The inauguration will be held at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur, and senior state ministers and officials are expected to join the Union Minister at the event.
The programme will begin with a walkthrough of the Poshan Mela by dignitaries, followed by the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. Beneficiary testimonial videos covering hot cooked meals, take-home rations, home visits, and early childhood care and education will be screened. A live interaction between the Union Minister and anganwadi workers is also scheduled.
Key Theme: 10 Years of PMMVY
Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 will carry a special fifth theme celebrating 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), the flagship maternity benefit programme that has supported maternal nutrition and health-seeking behaviour for a decade. Films marking the PMMVY anniversary and the Poshan Maah launch will be screened before the formal inauguration.
As part of the milestone, a 100 per cent saturation drive will be undertaken to enrol all eligible pregnant and lactating women, expedite Direct Benefit Transfers, and roll out a PMMVY Toolkit for localisation by states and Union Territories.
Background and Scale
Observed every September since its inception in 2018, Rashtriya Poshan Maah has evolved into a Jan Andolan — a people's movement — mobilising communities to reinforce nutrition, health, and caregiving practices. This is the ninth consecutive edition of the campaign. According to official statements, the initiative is guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Suposhit Bharat' (well-nourished India), intended to lay the groundwork for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Nationwide Outreach
Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 will be observed across all states and Union Territories through community events at Anganwadi centres, schools, panchayats, and households. The campaign reaffirms that child nutrition is a shared civic responsibility and a foundational pillar of India's long-term development goals. All states and UTs are expected to participate in coordinated local activities throughout September.
Point of View
Not merely a logistical decision. The 10-year PMMVY milestone is worth scrutinising: while the scheme has expanded coverage, independent assessments have flagged persistent gaps in last-mile DBT delivery and awareness among first-time mothers in rural areas. The new saturation drive and state-level toolkit are constructive steps, but their impact will depend entirely on how states execute localisation — a variable that has historically been uneven. India's child malnutrition indicators remain a concern despite years of campaign momentum, and the shift from Jan Andolan rhetoric to verifiable outcome metrics is the accountability test this edition must answer.
NationPress
9 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026?
Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 is the ninth edition of India's annual month-long nutrition campaign, observed every September since 2018. It mobilises communities across all states and Union Territories to strengthen nutrition, health, and caregiving practices among women, children, and adolescents.
Where and when is Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 being launched?
The campaign will be formally launched on 9 September 2026 at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister Annpurna Devi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are among the dignitaries expected to attend.
What is the special theme of Poshan Maah 2026?
The 2026 edition carries a fifth special theme celebrating 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), the flagship maternity benefit programme. A 100 per cent saturation enrolment drive and a new PMMVY Toolkit for states and UTs will also be launched.
Who is affected by or eligible for the PMMVY saturation drive?
The saturation drive targets all eligible pregnant and lactating women across India, aiming for full enrolment and expedited Direct Benefit Transfers. States and Union Territories will receive a localisation toolkit to help implement the scheme at the ground level.
How is Rashtriya Poshan Maah observed at the community level?
The campaign is observed through community events at Anganwadi centres, schools, panchayats, and households across all states and Union Territories throughout September. Activities include beneficiary interactions, awareness drives, and coordination with anganwadi workers.
