Special Nutrition Program (India)
- Special Nutrition Program was introduced in 1970 to improve the nutritional status of specific target groups
- The target groups are:
- children under 6 years
- pregnant and lactating mothers
- The program is operated in the following locations:
- urban slums
- tribal areas
- backward rural areas
- Supplementary nutrition is provided for 300 days every year
- Children under 6 years – 300kcal, 10-12g protein
- Pregnant and lactating women – 500kcal, 25g protein
- Initially the program was under the Central Government
- The responsibility was later shifted to the state government under the Minimum Needs Program
- Now the special nutrition program is integrated with the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services)
