**Summary:**
As of July 25, 2025, there are 1,398,439 operational Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in India, with 357,835 operating from rented premises. The Government is undertaking an infrastructure upgrade program under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, with the goal of strengthening and upgrading 200,000 selected AWCs (40,000 annually) based on the 15th Finance Commission's recommendations. These upgrades aim to improve nutrition delivery and early childhood care and education through better infrastructure, including internet/Wi-Fi connectivity, LED screens, water purifiers/RO machines, smart learning aids, audiovisual aids, child-friendly learning equipment, and educational materials to stimulate holistic child development. All 200,000 Anganwadi Centres have been approved for upgradation to Saksham Anganwadi Centres, and 57,897 AWCs have been upgraded as of July 21, 2025. The central government monitors progress through regular video conferences and meetings with State Governments/UT Administrations. Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a centrally sponsored scheme where the Central Government is responsible for policy and planning and the State Governments are responsible for day-to-day program implementation, including filling staff vacancies.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Women and Child Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies and programs related to women and children.
SMT JUNE MALIAH: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question regarding Anganwadi Centres.
SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR: Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development who provided the answer.
Anganwadi Centres: A type of rural child care centre in India. (AWCs)
15th Finance Commission: The Fifteenth Finance Commission of India.
Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0: A centrally sponsored scheme for improved nutrition delivery through Anganwadi Centres.
State Governments: Governments of the States of India, responsible for day-to-day program implementation.
UT Administration: Administration of Union Territories in India. The Central government regularly reviews the same through Video conferencing and physical meetings with State Governments/UT Administration.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1048
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
UPGRADATION OF AWCS
1048. SMT JUNE MALIAH:
Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of Operational Anganwadi Centres in the country;
(b) the number of centres functioning from temporary or rented premises; and
(c) whether the Government has fixed any timeline for upgrading Anganwadi
infrastructure and filling staff vacancies therein?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a) to (c): There are 13,98,439 operational Anganwadi centres (AWCs) in the country.
Out of this, 3,57,835 Anganwadi centres are functioning in rented buildings. In the 15th
Finance Commission, 2 lakh selected AWCs (40,000 AWCs per year) are to be
strengthened and upgraded under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 for
improved nutrition delivery by providing better infrastructure including internet/wifi
connectivity, LED screens, water purifier/installation of RO Machine and Early
Childhood Care and Education with smart learning aids, audio-visual aids and child-
friendly learning equipments, art Work (Educational painting, practice board for
children, information board), wall painting etc. for stimulating the creative, social,
emotional, cognitive and intellectual development of children under 6 years of age in
convergence with education development programmes. All the 2,00,000 Anganwadi
Centres have been approved for upgradation to Saksham Anganwadi Centres and as
on 21.07.2025, 57,897 Anganwadi Centres have already been upgraded as Saksham
Anganwadi Centres. Central government regularly reviews the same through Video
conferencing and physical meetings with State Governments/UT Administration.
Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored scheme. The
Central Government is responsible for policy and planning and the State Governments
are responsible for day-to-day program implementation including filling up staff
vacancies.
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