New Delhi, INDIA – Recognizing the urgent need to strengthen the integration of nutrition outcomes in India’s social safety net programs (SSNPs), Nutrition International has released its latest policy brief, “Enhancing Nutrition Outcomes through India’s Social Safety Net Programs: Opportunities and Way Forward.”

SSNPs function as critical mechanisms to safeguard the most vulnerable populations from poverty and food insecurity. Over the years, food distribution through India’s SSNPs have emerged as a promising delivery mechanism for providing food to underserved populations with the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (formerly known as Public Distribution System), Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (formerly known as Mid-Day) and the Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 (formerly known as Integrated Child Development Services), collectively catering to over a billion people. However, while addressing food security, these programs often lack an explicit focus on nutritional outcomes. This policy brief identifies gaps and opportunities to make these programs more nutrition-sensitive, ensuring they address India’s triple burden of malnutrition – undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.

“India, as well as several other Asian countries, are increasing their focus on improving the nutritional impact of social safety net programs,” said Mini Varghese, Country Director for India, Nutrition International. “With growing investments in social protection and a shift toward making these programs more nutrition-sensitive, there are new opportunities to better connect health, nutrition, food systems, and economic services to support the most vulnerable populations.”

The brief was unveiled during a launch event in New Delhi, which brought together key stakeholders, including Dr. SubbaRao M. Gavaravarapu, Scientist F & Head, Nutrition Information, Communication & Health Education (NICHE) Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, and experts from organizations such as the Gates Foundation, IDinsight, the Institute of Economic Growth, MicroSave Consulting, and the International Food Policy Research Institute. Discussions centered on actionable strategies to transition SSNPs from food security to nutrition security, addressing India’s triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.

Drawing on Nutrition International’s extensive research across 12 countries in Asia (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste and Vietnam), along with deliberations with stakeholders in India and over three decades of experience in the nutrition ecosystem, the policy brief provides a roadmap across five critical pillars:

1. Policy reform: Targeting high-burden geographies with tailored strategies.
2. Program performance: Transitioning from food security to nutrition security by diversifying food baskets.
3. Evidence building: Establishing robust monitoring frameworks and generating actionable data.
4. Financing: Securing dedicated resources for nutrition-sensitive interventions.
5. Social and behaviour change communication (SBCC): Promoting nutrition-sensitive behaviours through community platforms like self-help groups.

“To achieve true nutrition security through social safety net programs, it is essential to address the five As – not just availability, accessibility, and affordability, but also accommodation (offering the right food options) and acceptability (ensuring they align with cultural and personal preferences),” said Dr. SubbaRao M. Gavaravarapu. “These programs have been very successful in ensuring food security, now they must go beyond delivering food and fostering community ownership through participatory approaches while ensuring they align with local needs. Clearer communication and stronger collaborations hold the key to converting successful food security programs to meaningful nutrition security programs.”

The event featured insightful discussions during the panel, ‘Turning recommendations into actions: Achieving nutrition through social protection programs.” Key insights included the importance of embedding nutrition-focused messaging with dedicated budgets, leveraging local resources like self-help groups to promote nutrient-rich foods and fostering cross-sector collaboration. Panellists also highlighted the potential of technology to improve nutrition tracking and emphasized scaling pilot projects based on evidence, with a strong focus on meaningful community engagement to ensure long-term sustainability.

Nutrition International reaffirmed its commitment to fostering collaboration among policymakers and stakeholders, while advancing the recommendations outlined in the policy brief. By embedding nutrition at the heart of SSNPs, India has the opportunity to drive lasting change, improving health outcomes for millions of individuals living in vulnerable situations and building a stronger, more resilient population for the future.

Read the full policy brief and learn more about our work in India to improve the health of women, children and adolescent girls.

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