This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Women and Child Development's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2172, answered on August 1, 2025, regarding Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs).
**Performance of Anganwadi Centres in Andhra Pradesh:** Poshan Tracker data indicates improvements in malnutrition indicators among children (0-5 years) in Andhra Pradesh. Stunting decreased from 20.68% in June 2024 to 18.43% in June 2025. Wasting decreased from 5.61% to 4.97%, and underweight prevalence decreased from 9.75% to 7.68% during the same period. In June 2025, 21,83,364 children were measured, with a measurement efficiency of 98.56%, compared to 23,98,832 children measured in June 2024, with an efficiency of 96.45%. Anganwadi Workers in Andhra Pradesh conducted 7,23,133 home visits out of 7,31,668 targeted visits in June 2025 (98.83% achievement), compared to 6,55,995 visits out of 6,62,577 targeted visits in June 2024 (99.01% achievement).
**Honorarium for AWWs and AWHs:** The honorarium for AWWs and AWHs was last revised on October 1, 2018. At that time, the honorarium for AWWs at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) was increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 4,500 per month; for AWWs at mini AWCs, it was increased from Rs. 2,250 to Rs. 3,500 per month; and for AWHs, it was increased from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,250 per month, based on a cost-sharing ratio between the Central and State/Union Territory governments. A performance-linked incentive of Rs. 500 per month is provided to AWWs and Rs. 250 per month to AWHs. States/UTs also provide additional monetary incentives/top-ups from their own resources.
**Linkage of Honorarium to Inflation:** The government is not currently considering linking the honorarium of AWWs and AWHs to inflation, unlike the practice for MGNREGA workers.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Women and Child Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies and programs related to women and children.
Anganwadi Centres: A type of rural child care centre in India, started by the Indian government in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services program to combat child hunger and malnutrition.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of Anganwadi Centre performance and home visits.
Anganwadi Workers: Community-based frontline workers in India who deliver integrated services for early childhood development, health, and nutrition.
Anganwadi Helpers: Assistants to Anganwadi Workers in providing services at Anganwadi Centres.
Poshan Tracker: A data tracking system used to monitor and improve malnutrition indicators in children across India.
MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.
SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR: Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2172
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
HONORARIUM TO AWWS AND AWHS
2172. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the performance of Anganwadi Centres in Andhra Pradesh;
(b) whether the honorarium for Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers was last revised in
2018, if so, the constraints being faced by the Government to further revise their honorarium;
and
(c) whether the Government is considering to link their honorarium to inflation as being done in
case of MGNREGA workers, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a) As per Poshan Tracker data improvement in malnutrition indicators has been observed in
children across India. Malnutrition indicators of children (0-5 years) in the State of Andhra
Pradesh as on June 2025 and June 2024 are as under:
Month Total Active Measuring Stunting% Wasting% Underweight%
Children (0- Efficiency
5 years) (%)
measured
during the
month
June , 21,83,364 98.56 18.43 4.97 7.68
2025
June 2024 23,98,832 96.45 20.68 5.61 9.75
Details of home visits undertaken by Anganwadi Workers in the State of Andhra Pradesh:
Month Total Targeted Visits Total visits made % of visits made
June , 2025 7,31,668 7,23,133 98.83
June 2024 6,62,577 6,55,995 99.01(b) Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) are “honorary workers”
from the local community who voluntarily come forward to render their services in the area of child
care and development to help the local community for which they are paid honorarium. Honorarium
is given to AWWs and AWHs which is increased from time to time. From 1st October, 2018,
Government of India has enhanced the honorarium of AWWs at Anganwadi centres (AWCs) from
Rs.3,000/- to Rs.4,500/- per month; AWWs at mini- AWCs from Rs.2,250/- to Rs.3,500/- per month;
AWHs from Rs.1,500/- to Rs.2,250/- per month as per the defined cost sharing ratio between the
Centre & States/UTs.
Besides, performance linked incentive of Rs.500/- is provided to AWWs and Rs.250/- per month to
AWHs. In addition, States/UTs are also paying additional monetary incentives/top ups to these
voluntary workers from their own resources which vary from State to State.
(c) Currently no such proposal is under consideration.
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