Mission Shunya is a comprehensive initiative aimed at eliminating malnutrition and anemia among vulnerable population groups by intervening at critical stages of life—adolescence, pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. By addressing nutrition across the life cycle, the project seeks to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition through timely prevention, early identification, and effective treatment of undernutrition and anemia. At its core, Mission Shunya focuses on building a strong continuum of care that improves maternal and child health outcomes and strengthens long-term community resilience.

Programme Geography and Reach

The project is being implemented in the Jawhar block of Palghar district, Maharashtra—one of the region’s most underserved and nutritionally vulnerable areas. Interventions will be carried out across 152 Anganwadi Centres, covering 49 villages and 27 Gram Panchayats. Aligned with national nutrition priorities, the programme adopts community-based strategies to ensure sustainable and scalable impact. Through direct and indirect interventions, Mission Shunya is expected to reach over 64,000 beneficiaries, including adolescents, pregnant women, infants, young children, and caregivers.

Strengthening Adolescent Nutrition

Mission Shunya places a strong emphasis on adolescents, particularly girls aged 15–19 years, recognising that poor nutrition and anemia during adolescence can adversely affect future reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes. The programme facilitates large-scale screening to identify anemia and low Body Mass Index (BMI) among adolescent girls. Identified cases are supported through iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation, deworming, and personalised nutrition counselling focused on iron-rich and balanced diets. These efforts are reinforced through awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene and improved access to adolescent-friendly health services, empowering girls with the knowledge and resources needed to transition into healthy adulthood and motherhood.

Improving Maternal Nutrition and Pregnancy Outcomes

During pregnancy, Mission Shunya focuses on early screening and management of anemia and nutritional deficiencies among pregnant women. The programme provides targeted interventions such as supplementation, dietary guidance, and counselling to improve BMI, overall health, and pregnancy outcomes. Women identified with anemia or low BMI receive additional support and follow-up care to reduce risks associated with pregnancy, including low birth weight and preterm births. By prioritising maternal nutrition, the initiative reinforces the critical link between a mother’s health and the well-being of her child.

Supporting Infants in the Critical First 1,000 Days

For infants—particularly those identified as low birth weight (LBW) or very low birth weight (VLBW)—Mission Shunya ensures early enrolment into care and provides intensive breastfeeding support. Skilled lactation counsellors offer personalised assistance to establish or re-establish exclusive breastfeeding, a vital intervention to prevent early growth faltering. The programme also addresses maternal psychosocial well-being, recognising its influence on infant feeding practices and nutrition outcomes during the first six months of life.

Addressing Malnutrition in Early Childhood

Mission Shunya further strengthens its life-stage approach by focusing on children under five years of age. Regular screening helps identify cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). Identified children are linked to appropriate therapeutic feeding programmes, referrals, and follow-up care to restore healthy growth and prevent relapse. The initiative adopts community-based management of malnutrition, enabling children to receive care closer to home while actively engaging families through counselling and behaviour change communication.

Creating Lasting, Systemic Change

Through its integrated, life-cycle approach, Mission Shunya addresses not only the visible symptoms of malnutrition but also its underlying systemic causes. By strengthening prevention, early detection, treatment, and community ownership, the programme aspires to create sustainable improvements in nutrition outcomes. Mission Shunya is a step towards building healthier mothers, stronger children, and more resilient communities—laying the foundation for healthier generations to come