National launch of 8th Poshan Pakhwada 2026 to take place tomorrow with Focus on Theme ‘Maximizing Brain Development in the First Six Years of Life

• Poshan Pakhwada = annual fortnight-long nutrition awareness campaign of the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) under the umbrella of Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0.
• 8th edition (2026) runs 9–23 April 2026, themed "Maximizing Brain Development in the First Six Years of Life".
• Anchored on the scientific premise that over 85% of brain development occurs by age 6, linking nutrition, Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE), and responsive caregiving.
• Examinable as a flagship social-sector scheme (GS-II) and as a case study on India's malnutrition burden (GS-III).