State PCS - Maharashtra (MPSC)

• 17 Jan 2026

Gujarat launched ‘Poshan Udaan 2026

Why in News? 

Gujarat has launched ‘Poshan Udaan 2026’ during the Makar Sankranti festival to spread nutrition and health awareness across the state by leveraging traditional festivities and community engagement. 

Key Points 

• Initiative: Poshan Udaan 2026 uses the popularity of the kite festival with kites carrying nutrition and health messages to symbolically raise public awareness across the state. 
  • To highlight the importance of balanced diets and health for children, adolescent girls and mothers. 
• Integration: Conducted under ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) at Anganwadi centres. 
• Implemented by: A statewide nutrition awareness campaign organised by the Department of Women and Child Development, Gujarat. 
• Focus: The initiative emphasises dietary diversity, reduced junk food consumption, safe drinking water, and sanitation practices to improve nutrition outcomes. 
• Target groups involved: Outreach includes schoolchildren, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and local community leaders. 
• Health interventions: Activities such as haemoglobin testing, IFA( Iron and Folic Acid) tablet distribution, BMI (Body Mass Index) check-ups and personalised nutrition counselling were conducted for mothers and children. 

Read More: Makar Sankranti festival, Poshan Abhiyan,  ICDS, BMI