Over 50% of children in 63 districts nationwide suffer from malnutrition; Uttar Pradesh leads in severity

Over 50 percent of children are registered in anganwadis in 63 districts in 13 states and one Union Territory. These kids are undernourished. Among these, 34 districts are located solely in Uttar Pradesh.

New Dehi: Over 50% of children in 63 districts nationwide suffer from malnutrition, with 34 districts in Uttar Pradesh being the most impacted. Over 50 percent of children are registered in anganwadis in 63 districts in 13 states and one Union Territory. These kids are undernourished.

Among these, 34 districts are located solely in Uttar Pradesh. In 199 districts, malnutrition rates range from 30 to 40 percent. This information has emerged from the examination of documents submitted to Parliament.

As per the Nutrition Tracker data from the Ministry of Women and Child Development for June 2025, the districts most impacted are:

• Nandurbar (Maharashtra) - 68.12%
• West Singhbhum (Jharkhand) 66.27%
• Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh) - 59.48%
• Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh) - 58.20%
• Bongaigaon (Assam) - 54.76%

A nutrition tracker is a digital tool utilized to gather, log, and oversee nutrition-related data for pregnant women and children. Its aim is to guarantee that proper nutrition is provided promptly, in order to avert malnutrition.

Districts in Uttar Pradesh most impacted Uttar Pradesh has the largest count of 34 districts with a child malnutrition rate exceeding 50 percent. It is succeeded by Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh.

This type of malnutrition happens when children lack sufficient nutrition over an extended period. The Ministry of Women and Child Development reports that among 8.19 crore children aged 0-6 years, 35.91 percent suffer from malnutrition, while 16.5 percent are underweight. The percentage of malnourished children under five years old is even greater at 37.07 percent. Losing weight is also a significant concern.

These areas possess the largest population of underweight children nationwide -

• Nandurbar (Maharashtra) - 48.26% (Top)
• Dhar (Madhya Pradesh) - 42%\
• Khargone (Madhya Pradesh) - 36.19%\
• Barwani (Madhya Pradesh) - 36.04% Dang (Gujarat) - 37.20%
• Dungarpur (Rajasthan) - 35.04%
• Sukma (Chhattisgarh) - 34.76%

Severe malnutrition in regions of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Nagaland Concurrently, acute malnutrition was observed in Dhar (17.15 percent) in Madhya Pradesh, Bijapur (15.20 percent) in Chhattisgarh, and Maun (15.10 percent) in Nagaland. In Madhya Pradesh, malnutrition levels exceed 50% in districts such as Shivpuri (58.20%), Khargone (55.02%), and Guna (52.86%). Cachar (54.11 percent), Darrang (51.65 percent), and South Shalamara-Mankachar (52.67 percent) in Assam are also included in the list. Tirap (52.74 percent) and Upper Subansiri (52.10 percent) are additionally included in the impacted districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

The malnutrition rate is at its peak in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Raichur (52.76%) and Bagalkot (51.61%) in Karnataka, Salumbar (52.95%) in Rajasthan, and Narmada (50.71%) in Gujarat are districts that also experience elevated malnutrition rates. Of all the Union Territories, Mahe (Puducherry) exhibits the highest malnutrition rate at 57.38 percent. BJP criticizes Congress administration in Karnataka regarding allegations of farmers receiving counterfeit seeds and fertilizers.