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:

Correct Option: 1 and 2 only

The National Nutrition Mission (also known as POSHAN Abhiyaan) was launched by the Government of India to tackle the problem of malnutrition in a mission mode. The program has specific target-driven objectives focused on improving nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

Let us analyze each statement to determine the correct objectives:

1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers:
Correct. One of the core pillars of POSHAN Abhiyaan is behavioral change communication (BCC) and community engagement. Raising awareness among pregnant women and lactating mothers regarding proper nutrition, breastfeeding practices, and healthcare is a primary objective of the mission.

2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women:
Correct. The mission explicitly targets reducing anaemia levels among young children (6–59 months), adolescent girls, and women of reproductive age (15–49 years) by 3% per annum.

3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice:
Incorrect. While promoting coarse cereals and millets is part of broader dietary diversity and agriculture-nutrition initiatives (such as POSHAN Maah celebrations and dietary guidelines), direct promotion of specific crops like millets or unpolished rice was not an explicit core target metric set under the founding framework of the National Nutrition Mission.

4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs:
Incorrect. Promoting poultry eggs specifically is not an official objective of the National Nutrition Mission.

Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct objectives of the National Nutrition Mission.