**Executive Summary**
This document addresses the implementation of digital technologies within the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme in India. It outlines the usage of the "Poshan Tracker" application to improve service delivery and monitoring, while also addressing data privacy concerns and support for Anganwadi workers (AWWs). The information is current as of November 30, 2025, and includes details on training provided to AWWs to use the digital tools.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Poshan Tracker Implementation:**
* The "Poshan Tracker" application was rolled out on March 1, 2021, to monitor AWCs, AWWs, and beneficiaries.
* It facilitates real-time data collection on AWC operations, child attendance, growth monitoring, early childhood education, hot cooked meal delivery, take-home ration distribution, and growth measurement.
* The application also offers counseling videos on key health and nutrition practices.
* The Ministry has developed a Facial Recognition System (FRS) in the Poshan Tracker for distribution of Take-Home Ration.
* **Support and Infrastructure:**
* AWWs have been provided smartphones by States/UTs for data entry and Poshan Tracker use.
* AWWs, supervisors, and block coordinators receive annual internet connectivity charges.
* Block and District Coordinators provide on-ground support for effective usage and technical troubleshooting.
* States/UTs have been advised to discontinue physical registers.
* **Data Privacy and Security:**
* Poshan Tracker includes data protection safeguards to maintain privacy.
* Access to the application is role-based, logged, and monitored to prevent misuse.
* The application's internal database is encrypted.
* Data collected is subject to existing data protection protocols, including purpose limitation, informed consent, and access restrictions.
* Face verification requests and responses are encrypted during transit.
* No images or data are permanently stored on devices, and cached data is wiped when AWWs log out.
* Private data is only accessible to authorized personnel.
* Face images are handled in encoded format within the app.
* **Accessibility and Inclusivity:**
* Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0 is a centrally sponsored mission implemented by States/UTs.
* The mission is a universal self-selecting scheme with no entry barriers for beneficiaries.
* **Training and Grievance Redressal:**
* The Ministry has provided training to stakeholders on using the Poshan Tracker Application and Dashboard.
* As of November 30, 2025, 895,814 AWWs have been trained.
* A grievance redressal mechanism is available through the Poshan Tracker and a helpline (1515). The helpline is available in 17 languages.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Anganwadi Workers (AWWs)**
* **Impact:**
* AWWs are equipped with digital tools to enhance data collection and service delivery.
* They receive training and support for using the Poshan Tracker.
* A grievance redressal mechanism is available to address issues.
* **Action Required:**
* Utilize the Poshan Tracker application for daily operations.
* Participate in training programs to enhance digital skills.
* Report any issues or grievances through the designated channels.
**Stakeholder: Beneficiaries (Children, Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers)**
* **Impact:**
* Improved tracking and monitoring of nutritional status and service delivery.
* Access to relevant health and nutrition information through AWWs.
* **Action Required:**
* Register and receive benefits through the ICDS scheme.
**Stakeholder: States/Union Territories**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for the implementation of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0.
* Required to provide smartphones and internet connectivity to AWWs.
* **Action Required:**
* Procure and distribute smartphones to AWWs.
* Ensure internet connectivity for AWWs.
* Support and monitor the effective use of the Poshan Tracker.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)**
* **Impact:**
* Oversees the implementation of digital technologies in the ICDS scheme.
* Responsible for data protection and privacy safeguards.
* **Action Required:**
* Monitor the effective use of the Poshan Tracker and ensure data privacy.
* Provide training and support to stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0: A centrally sponsored mission focused on nutrition delivery support systems at the Anganwadi centres.
Ministry of Women and Child Development: The primary ministry responsible for implementing and overseeing the ICDS scheme and related digital technologies.
ICDS Scheme: Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, a government program using digital technologies in various aspects.
Poshan Tracker: An application used for monitoring and tracking AWCs, Anganwadi Workers, and beneficiaries under the Mission.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1068
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN ICDS SCHEME
1068. SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY:
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which the digital technologies have been implemented in various aspects of
ICDS Scheme indicating the percentage of Anganwadi’s Centres (AWCs) that are using
digital technologies for service delivery and the steps taken by the Government to expand
adoption of digital tools in all AWCs;
(b) whether digital technologies are helping Anganwadi workers in better service delivery, if
so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to ensure that functioning and service
deliveries of AWCs continues even in the absence of internet, slow internet connection,
technical difficulties or software glitches;
(c) the privacy policy regarding storage of sensitive information in the view of extensive use
of Aadhar in ICDS;
(d) whether people who do not have access to mobile phones and internet are still able to avail
the full range of ICDS services, if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether adequate steps have been taken to ensure training of Anganwadi workers in using
above said tools, if so, the details thereof; and
(f) whether the Government has received reports on issues faced by workers, if so, the steps
taken to resolve the same?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a) & (b) Under Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0, IT systems have been leveraged to
strengthen and bring about transparency in nutrition delivery support systems at the AnganwadiCentres (AWCs). The ‘Poshan Tracker’ application was rolled out on 1st March 2021 as an
important governance tool under the Mission.
The Poshan Tracker facilitates monitoring and tracking of all AWCs, Anganwadi Workers
(AWWs) and beneficiaries on defined indicators. Technology under Poshan Tracker is being
leveraged for dynamic identification of stunting, wasting, under-weight prevalence among
children. It has facilitated near real time data collection for Anganwadi Services such as, opening
and closing of AWCs, daily attendance of children, growth monitoring of children, Early
Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) activities, Delivery of Hot Cooked Meal (HCM)/Take Home
Ration (THR-not raw ration), Growth Measurement etc. The App also offers counselling videos
on key behaviours and services which help disseminate messages on birth preparedness, delivery
of child, post-natal care, breastfeeding and complementary feeding. Regular field level
trainings/workshops are conducted directly for AWWs regarding use of the Poshan Tracker
Application. Poshan Tracker also features self-learning videos for AWWs, enabling continuous
capacity building and on-the-job learning through digital modules.
Further, for last mile tracking of Service Delivery, Ministry of Women and Child Development
(MWCD) has developed Facial Recognition System (FRS) in Poshan Tracker Application for
distribution of Take-Home Ration to ensure that benefit is given only to the intended beneficiary
registered in Poshan Tracker.
Under the Mission, AWWs have been provided with smartphones procured by States/UTs on a
cost sharing basis for data entry and use of Poshan Tracker application. All AWWs, supervisors
and block coordinators are provided with internet connectivity charges at the rate of Rs. 2000 per
annum per AWC.
Block and District Coordinators provide on-ground handholding support to AWWs for effective
usage of the Poshan Tracker and resolution of technical glitches. Besides this, the States/UTs have
also been advised to discontinue the use of physical registers.
(c) Various Data Protection Safeguards related to privacy exist in Poshan Tracker. Some of the
data protection safeguards are mentioned below:
• The Poshan Tracker application is typically used by Anganwadi Workers, and it is not open
to the public or any unauthorized party. Access is role-based, logged and monitored to
prevent misuse.
• Further, the application's internal database is encrypted, preventing access to sensitive
information outside the app environment
• The data of the beneficiary, which is collected, is subject to all existing data protection
protocols, which mandates purpose limitation, informed consent, and access restrictions.• All requests and responses related to Face Verification are encrypted during transit,
ensuring data is protected from interception or tampering.
• No images or data are stored permanently on the device. As a precautionary measure, all
cached or temporary data is wiped automatically when the AWW logs out of the
application.
• The private data is not publicly accessible; it is only available to authorized personnel
solely for verification purposes.
• Face images are handled in encoded format within the app to ensure safe processing and
transmission.
(d) Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored mission, where
the responsibility for implementation of various activities lies with the States and UTs. This
mission is a universal self-selecting umbrella scheme where there are no entry barriers for any
beneficiary to register and receive services.
(e) The Ministry through Savitri Bai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development
has provided training to different stakeholders for using Poshan Tracker Application and
Dashboard. Under the Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) initiative, the Ministry is imparting training
to all the officials and field functionaries in the States/ UTs through a cascading model of training,
wherein Master Trainers (namely, District Officers, Block Coordinators and Supervisors) are
trained and the master trainers further train all Anganwadi Workers in the field. As on 30th
November 2025, 8,95,814 AWWs have been trained across the country.
(f) Grievance Redressal Mechanism is an integral part of Poshan 2.0. Anganwadi Workers can
submit their grievances on Poshan Tracker Application and Dashboard as well. Besides this,
Poshan Helpline (1515), operationalized since November 2022 for registering grievances of
AWWs. Through the helpline, a worker can raise the issues being faced related to the application.
The helpline is available in 17 languages.
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