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Malnutrition & the Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) in India- A Transformative Approach



Malnutrition is a widespread problem in India, impacting millions of infants and adults while creating considerable health and economic concerns. Despite multiple government initiatives, the problem remains, compounded by complicated socioeconomic reasons and inefficiencies in service delivery. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has emerged as a useful tool for addressing these difficulties, offering novel methods to increase the reach and effectiveness of malnutrition interventions.


Understanding the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to the fundamental digital technologies and services that underpin a wide range of public and private applications. This includes digital identification systems, financial platforms, data registries, and communication networks. In the fight against malnutrition, DPI can improve the reach, efficiency, and impact of health and nutrition programmes.


The malnutrition landscape in India

According to data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), 35.5% of children under the age of five are stunted, 19.3% are wasting, and 32.1% are underweight. These findings highlight the critical need for effective interventions to combat hunger and its health consequences.


Key Components of DPI in Addressing Malnutrition



  1. Digital Identity Systems:

  • Aadhaar: India's unique biometric identification system, Aadhaar, plays a crucial role in ensuring that nutritional and health services reach the intended beneficiaries. By linking health records and entitlements to individuals, Aadhaar helps reduce leakages and ensures that resources are allocated efficiently. As of 2022, over 1.3 billion Indians have been assigned an Aadhaar number, making it a robust tool for targeting malnutrition interventions.


  • Health ID: The Health ID initiative under the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) aims to create a digital health ecosystem. This system enables seamless access to health records, allowing healthcare providers to offer more personalized and effective nutrition and health interventions.


  1. Digital Payments:

  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes enable the government to transfer subsidies and financial aid directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries. This reduces corruption and ensures that funds meant for nutrition and health programs are used appropriately. For instance, cash transfers for the purchase of nutritious food can empower families to make healthier choices. As of 2020, over 200 million beneficiaries were receiving DBT, ensuring that assistance reaches those in need without intermediary siphoning.


  1. Data Registries and Analytics:

  • Robust data systems such as the Poshan Abhiyaan dashboard allow real-time monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programs. Data analytics can identify hotspots of malnutrition, track the progress of interventions, and provide insights for policy adjustments. This evidence-based approach enhances the targeting and effectiveness of nutrition programs. Poshan Abhiyaan, launched in 2018, aims to reduce stunting, undernutrition, and low birth weight by 2%, 2%, and 0.5% per annum, respectively.


  1. Mobile and Digital Communication:

  • Mobile platforms and applications play a significant role in disseminating information on nutrition, hygiene, and health practices. Apps like the Poshan Tracker provide a comprehensive platform for frontline workers to record and monitor the nutritional status of children and pregnant women, ensuring timely interventions. With over 1.1 billion mobile connections in India, leveraging mobile technology is a game-changer in spreading awareness and ensuring timely action.

Case Studies

Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)

Poshan Abhiyaan exemplifies the transformative impact of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in combatting malnutrition across India. Launched with the aim to reduce stunting, undernutrition, and low birth weight, this initiative harnesses digital tools for efficient service delivery, beneficiary tracking, and performance monitoring. 

By integrating mobile technology and data analytics, Poshan Abhiyaan has significantly enhanced the implementation of nutrition programs at the grassroots level. As of the latest reports, Poshan Abhiyaan has positively impacted over 10 crore (100 million) beneficiaries nationwide, illustrating DPI's capacity to reach and improve the lives of a vast population.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program stands as a cornerstone in India's efforts to provide comprehensive healthcare to children under six and their mothers. Embracing digital interventions, ICDS has digitized its records and tracking systems, thereby improving the accuracy of beneficiary data. 

This digital transformation has not only facilitated better resource allocation but has also enhanced service delivery across the country. With a reach extending to over 13 crore (130 million) children and mothers, ICDS underscores the profound impact of digital tools in scaling public health initiatives. 

Through its integrated approach encompassing supplementary nutrition, immunization, and health check-ups, ICDS continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing healthier future generations in India.

Challenges and the Way Forward in Leveraging DPI for Combating Malnutrition

Despite the transformative potential of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in addressing malnutrition in India, several challenges must be addressed to maximize its effectiveness:

1. Digital Divide

The digital divide remains a significant obstacle, particularly in rural and remote areas where access to reliable internet connectivity and digital infrastructure is limited. As of 2022, rural internet penetration in India was only 29%, highlighting the stark disparity in access between urban and rural populations. Bridging this gap is crucial for ensuring equitable access to digital health and nutrition services. 

Initiatives like BharatNet, aimed at expanding broadband connectivity to rural areas, are essential steps towards overcoming this challenge. However, comprehensive strategies that address infrastructure development, affordability, and digital literacy are necessary to ensure that DPI-driven interventions reach all segments of society.

2. Data Privacy and Security

Safeguarding the personal data of beneficiaries is paramount to maintaining trust and ensuring the ethical use of digital platforms in health and nutrition programs. The implementation of robust data protection regulations, aligned with international standards, is essential. These regulations should encompass measures for data encryption, secure storage, and strict access controls to protect against unauthorized access and misuse. Furthermore, building awareness among stakeholders about data privacy rights and responsibilities is crucial for fostering transparency and accountability in the use of digital systems for health interventions.

3. Capacity Building

Effective utilization of DPI requires adequate training and capacity building for frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and government officials. Many stakeholders may require training to effectively use digital tools, interpret data analytics, and leverage mobile technology for service delivery and monitoring. 

Continuous training programs tailored to the needs of different user groups are essential to enhance digital literacy and ensure that DPI initiatives are implemented effectively at the grassroots level. Additionally, ongoing technical support and mentoring can empower stakeholders to adapt and innovate within the evolving digital landscape, thereby maximizing the impact of DPI on combating malnutrition.

4. Infrastructure and Technological Integration

Integrating DPI into existing health and nutrition systems requires robust infrastructure and technological capabilities. This includes upgrading digital platforms for seamless data interoperability, integrating multiple data sources for comprehensive analysis, and developing user-friendly interfaces for easy access by frontline workers and beneficiaries. 

Governments and development partners must invest in scalable and interoperable technology solutions that can adapt to diverse regional contexts and operational challenges. This infrastructure investment is crucial for sustaining long-term improvements in health service delivery and nutritional outcomes across India.

5. Community Engagement and Trust

Building community trust and fostering active engagement are fundamental to the success of DPI-driven interventions. Meaningful engagement with local communities ensures that digital solutions are culturally sensitive, address local needs, and are perceived as beneficial by beneficiaries.

Community feedback mechanisms should be integrated into program design and implementation processes to gather insights, address concerns, and refine strategies based on local realities. By involving communities as active participants in health and nutrition initiatives, DPI can enhance the acceptance, uptake, and sustainability of interventions aimed at combating malnutrition.


Digital Public Infrastructure has transformative potential in the fight against hunger in India. DPI can help to ensure that every child and adult has access to the nutrition they require for a healthy and productive life by improving the efficiency, reach, and effectiveness of nutrition programmes. As India continues to innovate and invest in its digital infrastructure, it is well-positioned to make substantial progress in eradicating malnutrition and creating a healthier future for all.

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