Unity in Action: Centre and States Come Together
The Zonal Meeting held in Kevadia, Gujarat on July 13, 2025, marked a significant step in strengthening Centre-State coordination in women and child development.
Organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the event brought together officials and ministers from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Goa.
The gathering focused on accelerating the implementation of key national missions including Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0.
Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to Inclusive Growth
The meeting was chaired by Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi, who was joined by her counterpart Smt. Savitri Thakur and state ministers including Smt. Bhanuben Babariya from Gujarat and Ms. Nirmala Bhuria from Madhya Pradesh.
In her address, Smt. Annpurna Devi paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and emphasized the collective vision of a Suposhit Bharat—a nourished India empowered by strong women and healthy children.
Biometric Registration for Poshan 2.0 Begins August 1
One of the biggest announcements of the meeting was the rollout of biometric authentication for beneficiary registration under Poshan 2.0 starting August 1, 2025.
This move aims to ensure accurate targeting and efficient delivery of services at the grassroots level.
Field workers and district officers will also get access to new learning tools via the iGOT Karmayogi platform, enhancing their knowledge and capacity-building efforts.
Technology for Transparency and Better Governance
The Minister spotlighted the role of technology in improving accountability. The use of Face Recognition Systems (FRS) under the Saksham Anganwadi scheme will aid in monitoring and service tracking.
Similarly, states were encouraged to utilize dashboards and real-time data tools to track progress and enhance outcomes.
Success Stories and Innovations Shared
States presented best practices and innovations for mutual learning. Madhya Pradesh shared its integrated technology model for rural service delivery. Rajasthan spoke about digital nutrition education for adolescent girls and mothers.
The meeting encouraged peer-to-peer learning and replication of successful models across states.
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Campaign
A short video was screened to promote the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP). The last date for nominations is July 31, 2025.
The campaign encourages recognizing the talents and contributions of children nationwide.
Gender Budgeting: ₹4.49 Lakh Crore Allocated
In a strong show of commitment to gender-inclusive governance, the Union Budget 2025–26 has allocated ₹4.49 lakh crore across 273 schemes under 49 Ministries and 5 Union Territories.
This allocation strengthens India’s focus on empowerment through gender-responsive planning.
One Stop Centres and Women Helpline Expanded
The Minister lauded the growth of One Stop Centres and Women Helpline-181 under Mission Shakti. These facilities have helped thousands of women in distress find timely support and protection.
The success of Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfers under PMMVY was also highlighted for its role in boosting transparency and timely fund transfer.
Mission Vatsalya Portal Goes Live
The newly launched Mission Vatsalya Portal was recommended for routine adoption by states. It allows real-time data entry and monitoring of welfare schemes.
As of now, 303 Master Trainers have been trained through the technical training programme hosted on the portal, in collaboration with SPNIWCD.
Field Engagements and Cultural Immersion
Delegates participated in a plantation drive under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, symbolizing sustainability and nurturing values.
They also visited the Children’s Nutrition Park and the Statue of Unity, concluding with the Narmada Aarti and Light & Sound Show, blending policy with cultural engagement.
A Vision for Viksit Bharat@2047
The Zonal Meeting ended on a powerful note. All participants committed to fast-tracking efforts for a Viksit Bharat@2047.
The focus remains on inclusive development, digital transformation, and cross-sectoral coordination for empowering women and ensuring the welfare of children across India.
