ICMR Launched UNNATI Scheme to Track Physical Growth

ICMR launched the UNNATI Scheme to track physical growth and nutritional status of children in India, aiming to improve health outcomes and address malnutrition challenges.

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News? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched UNNATI (Upgrading Norms for Nutrition, Growth, and Development Assessment of Indian Children) in Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru.

UNNATI (Upgrading Norms for Nutrition, Growth, and Development Assessment of Indian Children)

Objective: Track physical growth (height, weight) and neurodevelopmental milestones (cognitive, motor, social skills) in healthy Indian children.
Output: Build India-specific benchmarks for growth and nutrition to guide clinicians, parents, and policy.
Approach: Large-scale prospective cohort study from birth.

Related Fact

In India, obesity among children (5–19 years) rose from 4 million in 1990 to 12.5 million in 2022 (Lancet study).

Recent Initiatives by Indian Government Addressing Malnutrition and Obesity Among Children

POSHAN Abhiyaan (Mission Poshan 2.0): Flagship nutrition mission to reduce malnutrition and promote balanced diets.
- Poshan Pakhwada 2025: Helps Anganwadi workers detect, refer, and treat malnourished children locally using Poshan Tracker.

Facial Recognition for Take-Home Rations (2025): Mandatory biometric authentication via the Poshan Tracker app to ensure transparency in nutrition delivery; faces challenges in rural areas due to poor connectivity.

ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services): Anganwadi-based scheme for supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, and early education.
CBSE Oil Boards & Healthy Food Guidelines: Promoting healthy eating and physical activity in schools.