India's persistent stunting crisis: Complex factors and slow progress despite interventions
India continues to face a persistent stunting crisis, with 37% of children under five stunted in June 2025, a marginal improvement from 38.4% in 2016, falling short of the 'Mission 25 by 2022' target. The article highlights a complex web of contributing factors, including teenage pregnancies, poor maternal and child nutrition, anaemia in mothers and children, inadequate breastfeeding practices, and unsanitary conditions leading to open defecation and unsafe water. Education levels of mothers also play a crucial role, with children of uneducated mothers being significantly more stunted. The consequences extend beyond physical height, affecting cognitive skills, employability, and perpetuating intergenerational deprivation.
Key Points
- India has made slow progress in reducing child stunting, with 37% of children under five stunted in June 2025, missing the 'Mission 25 by 2022' target.
- Key factors contributing to stunting include teenage pregnancies, poor maternal and child nutrition, and high rates of anaemia in women and children.
- Inadequate breastfeeding practices, especially due to C-sections and working mothers, negatively impact infant health.
- Unsanitary conditions, open defecation, and unsafe water contribute to infections that exacerbate malnutrition and stunting.
- Maternal education is strongly linked to child health outcomes, with higher education correlating with lower stunting rates.
Exam Facts
- POSHAN Abhiyaan launched in 2018 with a target to reduce stunting by 2% points annually.
- 'Mission 25 by 2022' aimed to bring stunting down to 25% by 2022.
- Stunting rate: 38.4% in 2016 (NFHS 4), 35.5% in 2019-21 (NFHS 5), 37% in June 2025 (Poshan Tracker).
- Anaemia in mothers (15-49 years) was 57% and in children (6-59 months) was 67.1% in 2019-21.
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.