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)