More than 5.14 lakh beneficiaries have been newly included in various Anganwadi schemes across Gujarat. This initiative, conducted between November 2025 and January 2026, aimed to enhance access to nutrition and health services for mothers and young children. The effort focused on pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children up to six years old, with a significant number of enrollments in tribal and rural areas.
The Women and Child Development (WCD) Coverage Drive was launched to identify and incorporate eligible beneficiaries who were previously not part of the Anganwadi network. Under the leadership of Women and Child Development Minister Manisha Vakil, the campaign ensured that essential nutrition and basic healthcare services reached every eligible child and mother.
Official data reveals that during the drive, over 2.55 lakh beneficiaries from tribal areas, more than 2.07 lakh from rural regions, and around 51,000 from urban areas were added to Anganwadi services. These beneficiaries are now covered by programs offering supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, and basic health-related support.
Officials attribute the success of the initiative to meticulous micro-planning by district administrations, which facilitated the identification of households and prioritized outreach in remote and interior regions. The campaign placed a special focus on tribal belts and rural areas, addressing gaps in coverage that were more evident in these areas.
To ensure the accuracy of beneficiary data, the department utilized the TECHO software, a digital platform for tracking maternal and child health, in addition to systematic field verification. The integration of technology with on-ground checks helped prevent duplication and ensured the correct identification of eligible beneficiaries within a short period.
Anganwadi workers and helpers played a crucial role in the campaign by conducting door-to-door outreach and verification, with support from district-level officials. Their efforts not only enhanced data accuracy but also extended services to beneficiaries who were previously unregistered.
