Poshan Tracker data shows persistent malnutrition among children
Central, eastern states worst affected
New Delhi: As of June 2025, 5.46% of children under five in India were found to be wasted (low weight for height), and 15.93% were underweight (low weight for age), according to the latest Poshan Tracker data.
The data, cited by The New Indian Express on Tuesday, showed that among children aged 0–6 years, the underweight prevalence stood at 16.50%.
The figures underscore significant regional disparities in child malnutrition across the country. Bihar leads with some of the highest rates, recording 20.98% underweight and 9.31% wasting. Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand also report high figures, with 24.82% and 19.13% of children respectively being underweight, while wasting in these states stands at 8.19% and 6.68%. Other states with high malnutrition burdens include Tripura, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, where underweight rates range from 17% to nearly 20%.
The Union Territory of Lakshadweep stands out for its alarming statistics, with 22.54% of children underweight and 11.62% wasted, the highest in the country.
Despite the government’s efforts through initiatives like Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, the data reveals persistent challenges, especially in central and eastern states. However, there are notable success stories where effective interventions have led to improvements.
Goa emerged as a standout performer, with only 0.78% of children being wasted and 1.96% underweight. Other states, including Sikkim (1.95% wasting, 1.69% underweight), Manipur (0.67% wasting, 2.69% underweight), and Himachal Pradesh (2.41% wasting, 6.88% underweight), also recorded low malnutrition rates.
Southern states, while performing relatively better, still face challenges. Tamil Nadu stood out with a low 3.54% wasting and 6.29% underweight children, far below the national averages. Kerala also reported encouraging figures with 3.20% wasting, though the underweight figure was higher at 10.18%. Karnataka, on the other hand, showed moderate progress with 3.18% wasting, but underweight children accounted for 16.50%. Andhra Pradesh reported 4.97% wasting and 7.68% underweight, while Telangana had 5.93% wasting and 17% underweight.
The Poshan Tracker data represents an improvement from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), which recorded 32.1% underweight and 19.3% wasting among children under five. However, the current data also highlights a critical gap: of the projected 16.1 crore children under six, only 8.61 crore are currently enrolled in Anganwadi services, underscoring the need for expanded coverage and deeper outreach to address the nutrition crisis.
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
