2023

## Demand For Grants 2023-24 Analysis Women And Child Development

The Ministry of Women and Child Development was constituted to address gaps in state action for women and children and to create equitable legislation, policies, and programmes relating to the welfare of women and children.1  As the nodal ministry for the development of women and children, the Ministry covers welfare services, gender sensitisation, and training for employment generation for women.  Many of the programmes run by the Ministry play a complementary role to developmental programmes in the sectors of health, education, rural development, and safety of women. This note looks at the proposed expenditure for the Ministry of Women and Child Development for 2023- 24, financial trends, and related issues with schemes and programmes of the Ministry.   

## Overview Of Finances Budget Allocation In 2023-24

In 2023-24, the Ministry has been allocated Rs 25,449 crore, a 6% increase over the revised estimates of 2022- 23.2  About 99.8% of the Ministry's total expenditure is revenue expenditure. 

2021-22 
Actuals 
2022-
23 RE 
2023 
24 BE 
% change 
from 22-
23 RE to 
23-24 BE 
Revenue 
21,655 
23,911 
25,444 
6% 
Capital 
- 
2 
5 
154% 
Total 
21,655 
23,913 
25,449 
6% 

Note: Expenditure for 2022-23 is revised estimates and 2023-24 is budget estimates.  All other years are actual expenditure. Source: Ministry of Women and Child Development Demand for Grants for various years; PRS. 

Between 2016-17 and 2021-22, the actual expenditure by the Ministry has increased at annualised growth rate of 4.2%.   

## Underutilisation Of Funds For Several Years

In all years between 2016-17 and 2021-22, the actual 
expenditure by the Ministry was lower than the demand 
(Figure 2).  For instance, in 2019-20, the Ministry was 
allocated Rs 29,165 crore and utilised Rs 23,165 crore 
in the financial year.  The Rs 6,000 crore difference in 
budgetary estimates and actual expenditure translates to 
21% of the funds unused for the year.3  Between 2016-
17 and 2020-21, fund utilisation worsened.  The 
Standing Committee on Women and Children (2022) 
noted that underutilisation of funds indicated either 
poor financial planning or gaps in planning, 
implementation, and monitoring of schemes.3   It 
observed that the underutilisation in 2020-21 could be 
partially explained through the COVID-19 pandemic.   
The Committee recommended the Ministry to exercise 
proper financial planning and ensure proper 
implementation of schemes.  

## Share Of Ministry'S Allocation In The Union Budget Declining Over The Years

The Standing Committee on Human Resource 
Development (2020) noted that the share of the 
allocation towards the Ministry in the Union Budget 
has remained unchanged at about 1% over the previous 
five years.4  It observed that women and children in 
both rural and urban areas still lag in human and social 
development.  The Ministry is responsible to ensure 
that women and children have access to basic services 
such as health, nutrition, and education.  Hence, the 
Ministry's share in the Union Budget should be 
increased.  Since the Committee's report the Ministry's 
share in the budget has decreased.  In 2023-24, 
allocation to the Ministry forms 0.6 % of the total union 
budget.  Since 2022-23, the ministry's allocation has 
remained at 0.6% of the total union budget.  

## Allocation Towards Key Schemes

The schemes run by the Ministry were rationalised in 2021-22.  New schemes have been launched to subsume components of the erstwhile Umbrella ICDS and Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women.  For details, see Table 7 in the Annexure.  In 2023-24, about 99% of the Ministry's total allocation was distributed amongst three centrally sponsored schemes.  About 81% of the Ministry's allocation is towards the Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 scheme followed by Mission Shakti (12%).  About 6% of the Ministry's allocation in 2022-23 is towards the Mission Vatsalya scheme.  Around Rs 258 crore has been allocated amongst autonomous bodies such as National Commission for Women, Central Adoption Agency, and the National Commission for the Protection of Child's Rights.  Refer to Table 2 for an overview of key schemes under the Ministry.  

% 
Key Heads 
2021-
22 
2022-
23 RE 
2023-
24 BE 
Change 
Actual 
(BE 
2023-24/ 
RE 
2022-23) 
Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0  
18,382 
20,263 
20,554 
1% 
Mission Shakti 
1,912 
2,280 
3,144 
38% 
Mission Vatsalya 
761 
1,100 
1,472 
34% 
Others* 
99 
250 
258 
3.5% 
Mission for Protection and Empowerment of Women 
500 
20 
20 
- 
Total 
21,655 
23,913 
25,449 
6.4% 

Note: Others* include transfers to autonomous bodies such as National Commission for Women, Central Adoption Resource Agency, and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Source: Demand No. 101, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Union Budget 2023-24; PRS. 

## Key Areas Of Expenditure Saksham Anganwadi And Poshan 2.0

Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 is an integrated 
nutrition support programme.5  The scheme seeks to 
address the challenges of malnutrition in children, 
adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating 
mothers.  The schemes of Anganwadi Services, Scheme 
for Adolescent Girls, and Poshan Abhiyan have been 
realigned under the scheme to maximise nutritional 
outcome.  The scheme has been organised to address 
three primary verticals: (i) nutritional support for 
women, children, and adolescent girls, (ii) early 
childhood care and education (3-6 years), and (iii) 
anganwadi infrastructure including modernisation.  
POSHAN 2.0 shall focus on maternal nutrition, infant 
and young child feeding norms, treatment of Moderate 
Acute Malnutrition (MAM)/Severe Acute Malnutrition 
(SAM), and wellness through AYUSH.  In 2023-24, the 
scheme was allocated Rs 20,554 crore, which is an 
increase of 1% from the revised estimates of 2022-23.  
The scheme forms 0.5% of the total union budget.  

## Allocation Towards Saksham Anganwadi And Poshan 2.0 Is Lower Than The Schemes It Subsumed

The budget allocation towards the Saksham Anganwadi 
and POSHAN 2.0 scheme in 2021-22 and 2022-23 has 
been lower than the allocation towards subsumed 
components in previous years (Figure 4).  In 2023-24, 
the scheme has been allocated Rs 25,449 crore, an 
increase of 6% over revised estimates of 2022-23 (Rs 
23,913 crore).    

Note: Figures for 2022-23 are Revised Estimates. From 2017-18 to 
2020-21, the total for three schemes have been taken- (i) Anganwadi 
Services (Erstwhile Core ICDS), (ii) National Nutrition Mission 
(including ISSNIP), (iii) Scheme for Adolescent Girls.  From 2021-
22, these three schemes were revamped under the Saksham 
Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 scheme.  In 2021-22, the National 
Creche Scheme was included under the umbrella scheme, figures of 
the year include the National Creche Scheme.  
Source:  Ministry of Women and Child Development Demand for 
Grants for various years; PRS. 

Anganwadi Services seek to: (i) improve the 
nutritional and health status of children (up to 6 years), 
and (ii) reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, 
malnutrition, and school dropouts.   Anganwadi Centres 
(AWCs) provide public welfare services which include: 

(i) immunisation, (ii) supplementary nutrition, (iii) nutrition and health education, and (iv) health checkups.  The facilities provided at AWCs are: (i) supplementary nutrition, (ii) pre-school non-formal education, (iii) nutrition and health education, (iv) immunisation, (v) health check-up, and (vi) health referral services.6 

## Infrastructural Deficiencies

The Standing Committee on Women and Child Development (2022) highlighted the central role of AWCs in improving delivery of health services.3  It observed that lack of adequate facilities at AWCs affected low-income families as they had to turn to paid options.  Further, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report (2019) reported that the infrastructure in AWCs was deficient and lacked basic facilities, such as drinking water, toilet, electricity, and essential drugs.7 As of March 2019, there were delays in completing the construction of 5,915 AWCs and non-use of 1,487 AWCs due to dilapidated conditions.7  In 2021-2022, nine states had less than two-thirds of AWCs with toilets, with Arunachal Pradesh reporting 7% of AWCs having toilet facilities (for details, see Table 10 in Annexure).8  The Ministry informed the Committee that it has been conducting zonal meetings across the country to collect best practices of working conditions.9 The Committee recommended the Ministry to prepare a blueprint in consultation with states towards infrastructure development and capacity building of AWCs.9  To raise alternative sources of funding, the Ministry proposed that states may involve individuals, companies, and CSR funds for construction of AWCs purely on a pro-bono basis without any obligations.9 
Note: *up to June 2021. Source: Report No. 338: Demands for Grants 2022-23 of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, March 16, 2022; PRS. 

Remuneration for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers: 
Anganwadi Services Scheme envisages the Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) as 
'honorary workers' from the local community who come forward to render their services, on part time basis.3  The prescribed cost sharing ratio between the central and state governments for the honorarium given to AWWs and AWHs is: (i) 60:40 for states/UTs with legislature, (ii) 90:10 for North-eastern and Himalayan states, and (iii) paid completely by the centre for UTs 

without legislature.10  In September 2018, the central 
government enhanced the honorarium of AWWs and 
AWHs (see Table 3).11  Performance-based incentives 
are also paid to AWW at Rs 500 and Rs 250 for AWHs 
per month.  Further, states also pay additional monetary 
incentives/honorarium from their own resources.12  For 
instance, Madhya Pradesh, as of March 2022, pays an 
additional monetary incentive of Rs 7,000 to AWWs 
and Rs 3,500 to AWHs. 13  As of December 12, 2022, 
there is no provision for consideration to enhance the 
honorarium given to AWWs and AWHs.12 

The Standing Committee on Education, Women, Child 
Youth and Sports (2021) recommended the Ministry to 
consider further increasing the remuneration to provide 
better service conditions for them.14 

 
Existing 
Revised 
3,000 
4,500 
Anganwadi workers at main Anganwadi 
2,250 
3,500 
Anganwadi workers at mini Anganwadi Anganwadi helpers 
1,500 
2,250 

Source: Unstarred Question No. 3992, Rajya Sabha, Ministry of Women and Child Development, April 06, 2022; PRS.   
High vacancies for certain positions in AWCs: 

As of March 2021, 31% of Child Development Project 
Officers were vacant at the national level.  The 
Standing Committee on Human Resource Development 
(2018) had observed that availability of staff and key 
functionaries in AWCs has been a continued area of 
concern.15  In response to the issue of vacancy, the 
Ministry stated that the recruitment of staff is done by 
states.  The Committee recommended that the Ministry 
should take up the matter with states to ensure that 
vacancies are filled up at the earliest.   

Source: Unstarred Question No. 3068, Lok Sabha, Ministry of Women and Child Development, August 6, 2021; PRS.   

## Underutilisation Of Funds Under Poshan 2.0

POSHAN Abhiyaan is the key pillar for outreach under 
POSHAN 2.0.  It covers innovations related to 
nutrition, ICT interventions, media advocacy and 
research, community outreach, and jan andolan.19 Cost 
sharing ratio between the centre and states/UTs is: (i) 
60:40 for states/UTs with legislature, (ii) 90:10 for 
North Eastern and Himalayan states, and Jammu and 
Kashmir, and (iii) 100% for UTs without legislature.16  

States with the lowest level of utilisation include: (i) Punjab (34%), (ii) Uttar Pradesh (34%), (iii) Rajasthan 
(43%), and (iv) Odisha (46%) (see Table 8 in Annexure for details). Since, 2017-18, the Ministry has released Rs 5,403 
crore under POSHAN Abhiyan.  Of this, 34% of the funds have not been utilised (Rs 3,573 crore).19  About 
17% of overall allocation has been spent on the procurement of smartphones.17 Further, there has been a decline in the allocation of funds under POSHAN Abhiyan to states in the past few years.  A NITI Aayog Report (2021) observed that less than half of the funds were utilised in 23 states and UTs.18  Fund utilisation was lower in states/UTs with a low distribution of mobile phones and growth monitoring devices. As of February 10, 2023, the Ministry has not released funds under the scheme for the year 2022-23.19 

## Malnutrition Increased Amongst Children In Certain States/Uts

The Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports (2022) noted the importance of the effective implementation of Mission POSHAN 2.0 in addressing the challenges of malnutrition.3  The Committee observed that malnutrition increased significantly amongst children in 22 states/UTs between 2015-16 and 2019-20.20  Key indicators to measure levels of child malnutrition include share of children (under five years) who are: (i) stunted (too short for their age), (ii) wasted (thin for their height), and (iii) underweight.  13 of the 22 states/UTs assessed reported an increase in stunting of children between 2015-16 and 2019-20.  The states/UTs which saw the highest increases are Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, and Tripura (see Table 11 in the Annexure for state/UT-wise details on malnutrition in children).   
One of the targets of POSHAN Abhiyan is to bring down stunting of children in the age group of 0-6 years from 38% to 25% by 2022.3  According to the National Family Health Survey - 5 (2022), 36% of children under the age of five are stunted.21  The survey also observed that stuntedness was a sign of chronic undernutrition among children.   
 
Source: National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21); PRS. 

## Increase In Anaemia Among Women And Children

Anaemia is a condition of low levels of haemoglobin in 
the blood.21  Iron is a key component of haemoglobin, 
and iron deficiency is estimated to be responsible for 
half of all anaemia globally.  Anaemia in children can 
impair cognitive development, stunted growth, and 
increase morbidity from infectious diseases.   

There was an average of 8% increase in anaemic levels 
across women and children between 2015-16 and 2019-
21.21  Rise of anaemia has been observed across 
different groups of women and children between 2015-
16 and 2019-21.  For instance, there has been 14.5% 
increase in anaemia in children below the age of five 
years (see Table 4).  The Standing Committee on 
Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports (2021) 
noted that the efficacy of the POSHAN 2.0 should be 
assessed on the prevalence of malnutrition and other 
related problems among children and women.4  

## %)

% change 
in anaemic 
Targets 
NHFS-4 
2015-16 
NFHS-5 
2019-21 
levels 
Children below the age of 5 years 
58.6 
67.1 
14.5% 
Non-pregnant women (15-49 years) 
53.2 
57.2 
7.5% 
Pregnant women (15-49 years) 
50.4 
52.2 
3.6% 
All women (15-19 years) 
54.1 
59.1 
9.2% 
All women (15-49 years) 
53.1 
57.0 
7.3% 

Source: National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21); PRS. 

Anaemia among children (age 6-59 months) was the 
highest in Gujarat (80%), followed by Madhya Pradesh 
(73%), Rajasthan (72%), and Punjab (71%).21  Anaemia 
among women was 60% or more in Chhattisgarh, 
Bihar, Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Assam, Tripura, and 
West Bengal.  See Table 9 and 10 in Annexure for state 
wise details on anaemia among women and children.  

The Ministry had set targets for combating malnutrition 
in women and children in 2018 (see Table 5).  

| Category       | Target    |
|----------------|-----------|
| NFHS-4         |           |
| 2015-16 (in    |           |
| % Point        |           |
| Change         |           |
| %)             |           |
| NFHS -5        |           |
| 2019-21        |           |
| (in %)         |           |
| 38.4*          | 35.5*     |
| 2%             |           |
| p.a.           |           |
| Stunting in    |           |
| children (0-6  |           |
| years) *       |           |
| 35.8*          | 32.1*     |
|                |           |
| 3.7            |           |
| 2%             |           |
| p.a.           |           |
| Underweight    |           |
| prevalence in  |           |
| children (0-6  |           |
| years) *       |           |
| 58.6           | 67.1      |
| 3%             |           |
| p.a.           |           |
| Anaemia among  |           |
| children (6-59 |           |
| months)        |           |
| 53.1           | 57.0      |
| 3%             |           |
| p.a.           |           |
| Anaemia among  |           |
| women (15-49   |           |
| years)         |           |

Note: p.a.- per annum; *data for children under five years. Source: Unstarred Question No.663, Lok Sabha, Ministry of Women and Child Development, December 09, 2022; PRS.   

## Mission Vatsalya

Mission Vatsalya is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides: (i) assistance to homes for children, (ii) juvenile justice for children in need of care and children in conflict with law, and (iii) integrated programme for street children.22  In 2021, Mission Vatsalya subsumed the erstwhile Child Protection Scheme.22  In 2023-24, Rs 1,472 crore has been allocated to the scheme, an increase of 34% over the revised estimates of 2022-23.  

## Disparity In Child Care Institutions

The Ministry administers the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.23  The 2015 Act provides for the protection of children in need of care of protection and those in conflict with law by catering to their basic needs.  Basic needs are listed as; (i) care protection, (ii) development treatment, (iii) social reintegration.  Under Section 106 of the Act, the implementation of the Act lies with the states/UTs.24 Child Care Institutions (CCIs) including observation homes usually accommodate 50 children each and 25 children in Northeastern and Himalayan states.23  Under Mission Vatsalya, support is provided for one educator, one arts cum music teacher, and one PT instructor for each CCI with 50 children.23  In 2020-21, there were a total of 77,615 beneficiaries and 2,215 CCIs.3 As on March 2022, there were states, such as Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh, that did not have a single juvenile observation home.23  No UTs without a legislature other than Chandigarh had a juvenile observation home.  Further, the Standing Committee on Human Resource Development (2020) observed that living conditions in juvenile homes are inadequate.  Unsatisfactory living conditions are caused by: (i) inadequate space, (ii) poor quality of bathrooms, (iii) lack of recreational activities, and (iv) lack of trained staff. The Standing Committee on Women and Children (2022-23) recommended developing a mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination for effective child protection services.3  Additionally, it recommended coordination with the Ministry of Skill Development and Ministry of Education to develop skill development and vocational training programmes for the integration of the concerned children to mainstream society. Further, the Committee recommended that the Ministry must ensure timely releases of funds to states/UTs under the scheme.  

## Mission Shakti

Mission Shakti is an umbrella scheme for the safety and security and empowerment of women.25  The scheme has two sub-schemes, namely Sambal and Samarthya. Sambal is for the safety and security of women and has components of One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Nari Adalat. Samarthya concerns empowerment of women and has components, such as Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Hub for Empowerment of Women, Shakti Sadan, and Sakhi Niwas.  The scheme has a total allocation of Rs 20,989 crore from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The central government has a share of Rs 15,761 
crore.25  In 2023-24, Mission Shakti has been allocated Rs 3,144 crore.  

## Rs Crore)

| Sub       | 2021-    | 2022-23    | %     |
|-----------|----------|------------|-------|
| Schemes   | 22       | RE         |       |
| 2023-     |          |            |       |
| 24 BE     | Change   |            |       |
| Actual    | (BE      |            |       |
| s         | 2023-24/ |            |       |
| RE        |          |            |       |
| 2022-23)  |          |            |       |
| Sambal    | 183      | 333        | 562   |
| Samarthya | 1,729    | 1,947      | 2,582 |
| Total     | 1,912    | 2,280      | 3,144 |

Source:  Ministry of Women and Child Development Demand for Grants for 2023-24; PRS. 

In all years since 2016-17, funds allocated under 
Mission Shakti have been underutilised.  In 2021-22, 
the gap between the budgeted estimate and the actual 
expenditure under Mission Shakti was 36%.  Despite 
repeated underutilisation, there is a 38% increase in the 
budgeted estimates for 2023-24 as compared to revised 
estimates of 2022-23.  

## Underutilisation Of Funds Under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

The Standing Committee on Empowerment of Women 
(2021) observed that the decline in Child Sex Ratio 
(CSR) since 1961 is a grave concern.26  CSR decreased 
from 976 in 1961 to 927 in 2011 and 919 in 2011.  
Decline in the sex ratio indicates women's 
disempowerment over a life-cycle continuum..26  A 
decline in CSR is also indicative of discrimination 
against women and girls in health, nutrition, and 
educational opportunities.26   

The Committee observed that since the inception of the 
scheme in 2014-15 till 2019-20, Rs 848 crore was 
allocated under the scheme.  Around Rs 622 crore was 
released to states in the time period.  However, it noted 
that only 25% of the funds had been spent by the 
states/UTs.  Further, the Committee noted that the 
Ministry had been releasing additional funds to the state 
even when they had not utilised existing funds.  The 
Committee recommended that the Ministry must have a 
target-oriented approach and states must use their funds 
in a time-bound manner.  

## Lack Of Diversification Of Funds Under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

The Standing Committee on Empowerment of Women 
(2021) observed that between 2016-17 and 2018-19, 
about 79% of the budget (Rs 447 crore) had been used 
on media advocacy.26  The Committee recognised the 
importance of media advocacy as a vertical to spread 
the message of Beti Bacha Beti Padhao.  However, it 
stressed upon the importance of focusing on achieving 
measurable outcomes related to health and education 
under the scheme.  The Committee recommended that 
the Ministry reconsider spending on media advocacy 
under the scheme and focus on sectoral interventions in 
education and health.  Refer to Table 9 in the Annexure 

for details on funds released for media advocacy and multi-sectoral interventions from 2014-2023.  

## Inter-Ministerial Coordination For Timely Justice

From 2014 to 2019, the rate of crimes against children has increased (see Figure 8).27  Some of the categories of crime on the rise include murder with rape/gang rape, dowry deaths, and human trafficking.27,28  The Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports (2021) noted that the number of crimes against women and children are increasing.14  It recommended the Ministry to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs and state governments to bring down crimes against women and children and ensure timely justice.  

## Children Over The Year Nirbhaya Fund

The Nirbhaya Fund was set up as a dedicated fund for the implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing the security and safety of women.3  It is a non-lapsable 

## Annexure Table 7: Details Of Schemes After Revamping/Rationalisation

| Schemes as on April 1, 2021                    | Schemes after Revamping/Rationalisation    |
|------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Umbrella Scheme                                | Schemes                                    |
| Umbrella ICDS                                  | Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana        |
| Mission for Protection and                     |                                            |
| Empowerment for Women                          |                                            |
| One Stop Center                                |                                            |
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao                        |                                            |
| Working Women Hostel                           |                                            |
| Information and Mass Communication             |                                            |
| Mahila Shakti Kendra                           |                                            |
| Other Schemes Funded from Nirbhaya Fund        |                                            |
| Swadhar Greh                                   |                                            |
| Ujjawala                                       |                                            |
| Women Helpline                                 |                                            |
| Gender Budgeting and Research, Publication and |                                            |
| Monitoring                                     |                                            |
| Home for Widows                                |                                            |
| Mahila Police Volunteers                       |                                            |
| Support to Training and Employment Program     |                                            |
| (STEP)                                         |                                            |
| Umbrella ICDS                                  | Child Protection Services                  |
| Umbrella ICDS                                  | Anganwadi Services (Erstwhile Core ICDS)   |
| Anganwadi and                                  |                                            |
| POSHAN 2.0                                     |                                            |
| National Nutrition Mission (including ISSNIP)  |                                            |
| Scheme for Adolescent Girls                    |                                            |
| National Creche Scheme                         |                                            |

fund that lies with the Ministry of Finance.  The 
Ministry of Women and Child Development is the 
nodal ministry to appraise schemes under the fund and 
review the progress of sanctioned schemes.  The 
allocation for 2023-24 is Rs 20 crore under the Mission 
for Protection and Empowerment of Women.    

## Underutilisation Of The Nirbhaya Fund

The projects/schemes under the Nirbhaya Fund are 
demand driven.29  According to the Ministry, projects 
appraised under the framework of the Nirbhaya Fund 
have a staggered implementation schedule.  While most 
of the projects are implemented through state/UTs; 
some projects are implemented by central 
ministries/departments.  For instance, states/UTs, such 
as Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Lakshadweep, and Madhya 
Pradesh underutilised more than 50% of funds 
allocated/released between 2016-17 and 2020-21.30  

The Standing Committee on Education, Women, 
Children, Youth and Sports (2019) noted that the pace 
of projects funded under the Nirbhaya Projects are 
lethargic and need to be fast-paced.29  In addition, the 
Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, 
Youth and Sports (2022) highlighted the need for 
effective utilisation of the Nirbhaya Fund.3  It noted 
that violence against women has not reduced and the 
outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had worsened the 
situation of women.  The Committee observed that Rs 
9,177 crore has been appraised under the fund for 35 
projects.3  Out of which, only 33% (Rs 2,989 crore) had 
been utilised.  The Committee has recommended 
identifying reasons for underutilisation of the fund.  

 

 

## 2020-21)

State/UT 
% Utilisation funds as on March 31, 2021 
State/UT 
% Utilisation funds as 
on March 31, 2021 
Andaman and Nicobar Islands 
45% 
Lakshadweep 
67% 
Andhra Pradesh 
65% 
Madhya Pradesh 
47% 
Arunachal Pradesh 
25% 
Maharashtra 
69% 
Assam 
55% 
Manipur 
49% 
Bihar 
56% 
Meghalaya 
98% 
Chandigarh 
47% 
Mizoram 
94% 
Chhattisgarh 
54% 
Nagaland 
98% 
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 
47% 
Odisha 
46% 
Delhi 
73% 
Puducherry 
28% 
Goa 
49% 
Punjab 
34% 
Gujarat 
73% 
Rajasthan 
43% 
Haryana 
64% 
Sikkim 
93% 
Himachal Pradesh 
64% 
Tamil Nadu 
75% 
Jammu and Kashmir 
86% 
Telangana 
83% 
Jharkhand 
64% 
Tripura 
76% 
Karnataka 
78% 
Uttarakhand 
58% 
Kerala 
61% 
Uttar Pradesh 
34% 
Ladakh 
31% 
West Bengal 
0% 

Source: Unstarred Question No. 3102, Lok Sabha, Ministry of Women and Child Development, August 8, 2021; PRS.  

(in Rs crore) 
Financial Year 
Total Expenditure  
Funds for media advocacy 
Funds for multi-sectoral 
intervention** 
2014-15 
35 
21 
13 
2015-16 
59 
21 
38 
2016-17 
29 
26 
3 
2017-18 
169 
136 
33 
2018-19 
245 
164 
81 
2019-20 
86 
26 
60 
2020-21 
61 
7 
54 
Total 
683 
401 
282 

Note: * Expenditure made under the scheme by the Ministry of Women and Child Department. ** During 2014-15 and 2015-16, funds released for multi-sectoral intervention were released to states for state-level activity and districtlevel activity.  Since the revision of guidelines, in 2017-18, funds have been released directly to districts for district-level activities.  The Source: Starred Question No. 1, Rajya Sabha, Ministry of Women and Child Development, February 02, 2022; PRS. 

AWCs without a 
State/UT 
Operational AWCs 
AWCs without a 
pucca building 
toilet (in %) 
(in %) 
AWCs without a 
drinking water 
facility (in %) 
Andaman and Nicobar Islands 
719 
9% 
0% 
6% 
Andhra Pradesh 
55,607 
0% 
0% 
26% 
Arunachal Pradesh* 
6,225 
100% 
0% 
93% 
Assam 
61,715 
0% 
32% 
37% 
Bihar 
1,12,094 
25% 
0% 
0% 
Chandigarh 
450 
0% 
0% 
0% 
Chhattisgarh 
51,586 
12% 
7% 
8% 
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 
405 
13% 
0% 
0% 
Delhi 
10,755 
0% 
0% 
0% 
Goa 
1,262 
0% 
0% 
0% 
Gujarat 
53,029 
0% 
4% 
3% 
Haryana 
25,962 
0% 
1% 
10% 
Himachal Pradesh 
18,925 
9% 
0% 
1% 
Jammu and Kashmir 
28,078 
21% 
10% 
16% 
Jharkhand 
38,432 
18% 
29% 
34% 
Karnataka 
65,911 
14% 
18% 
21% 
Kerala 
33,115 
0% 
12% 
1% 
Ladakh* 
1,140 
58% 
34% 
4% 
Lakshadweep* 
71 
0% 
0% 
0% 
Madhya Pradesh 
97,135 
5% 
5% 
3% 
Maharashtra* 
1,09,832 
9% 
25% 
49% 
Manipur 
11,510 
87% 
46% 
56% 
Meghalaya 
5,896 
3% 
37% 
5% 
Mizoram 
2,244 
0% 
8% 
8% 
Nagaland* 
3,980 
93% 
13% 
58% 
Odisha 
73,172 
0% 
0% 
55% 
Puducherry 
855 
0% 
8% 
9% 
Punjab 
27,304 
0% 
0% 
9% 
Rajasthan* 
61,625 
0% 
21% 
47% 
Sikkim 
1,308 
0% 
0% 
0% 
Tamil Nadu 
54,439 
20% 
22% 
15% 
Telangana 
35,580 
17% 
5% 
51% 
Tripura 
9,911 
0% 
8% 
17% 
Uttar Pradesh* 
1,89,309 
0% 
3% 
7% 
Uttarakhand* 
20,048 
0% 
17% 
18% 
West Bengal 
1,19,481 
18% 
26% 
17% 
Total 
13,89,110 
10% 
12% 
21% 

Note: *Data has been taken for Monthly Progress Report, June 2021 as Annual State Programme Implementation Plan data is not available. Source: Starred Question No: 298, Rajya Saba, Ministry of Women and Child Development, March 30, 2022; PRS.  
 

| Children under 5               | Children under 5 years who are    |
|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|                                |                                   |
| Children under 5               |                                   |
| years who are stunted          | years who are wasted              |
| States/UTs                     | NFHS-5                            |
| Andaman & Nicobar Island       | 22.5                              |
| Andhra Pradesh                 | 31.2                              |
| Arunachal Pradesh              | 28.0                              |
| Assam                          | 35.3                              |
| Bihar                          | 42.9                              |
| Chandigarh                     | 25.3                              |
| Chhattisgarh                   | 34.6                              |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman |                                   |
| and Diu**                      |                                   |
| 39.4                           | 41.7                              |
| Delhi                          | 30.9                              |
| Goa                            | 25.8                              |
| Gujarat                        | 39.0                              |
| Haryana                        | 27.5                              |
| Himachal Pradesh               | 30.8                              |
| Jammu & Kashmir*               | 26.9                              |
| Jharkhand                      | 39.6                              |
| Karnataka                      | 35.4                              |
| Kerala                         | 23.4                              |
| Ladakh*                        | 30.5                              |
| Lakshadweep                    | 32.0                              |
| Madhya Pradesh                 | 35.7                              |
| Maharashtra                    | 35.2                              |
| Manipur                        | 23.4                              |
| Meghalaya                      | 46.5                              |
| Mizoram                        | 28.9                              |
| Nagaland                       | 32.7                              |
| Odisha                         | 31.0                              |
| Puducherry                     | 20.0                              |
| Punjab                         | 24.5                              |
| Rajasthan                      | 31.8                              |
| Sikkim                         | 22.3                              |
| Tamil Nadu                     | 25.0                              |
| Telangana                      | 33.1                              |
| Tripura                        | 32.3                              |
| Uttar Pradesh                  | 39.7                              |
| Uttarakhand                    | 27.0                              |
| West Bengal                    | 33.8                              |

Note: * Numbers for NFHS-4 for Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh have been taken from their respected NFHS-5 (2019-21) Union Territory Fact Sheet.  Facts sheets for all three UTs are available at a district-level. Source: National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16), National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21); PRS.   

Table 12:  All women age 15-49 years who are anaemic (in %) 
 
NFHS-5 (2019-21) 
NFHS-4 (2015-16) 
States/UTs 
Urban 
Rural 
Total 
Total 
Andaman and Nicobar Islands 
57.2 
57.6 
57.5 
65.8 
Andhra Pradesh 
57.8 
59.3 
58.8 
60.0 
Arunachal Pradesh 
36.5 
41.0 
40.3 
43.2 
Assam 
65.2 
66.0 
65.9 
46.0 
Bihar 
65.6 
63.1 
63.5 
60.3 
Chandigarh 
60.3 
64.0* 
60.3 
75.9 
Chhattisgarh 
56.5 
62.2 
60.8 
47.0 
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 
60.5 
64.4 
62.5 
72.9 
Delhi 
49.7 
58.6 
49.9 
54.3 
Goa 
40.0 
37.4 
39.0 
31.3 
Gujarat 
61.3 
67.6 
65.0 
54.9 
Haryana 
57.4 
61.9 
60.4 
62.7 
Himachal Pradesh 
51.0 
53.3 
53.0 
53.5 
Jammu and Kashmir 
61.4 
67.5 
65.9 
48.9 
Jharkhand 
61.1 
66.7 
65.3 
65.2 
Karnataka 
43.9 
50.3 
47.8 
44.8 
Kerala 
37.0 
35.8 
36.3 
34.3 
Ladakh 
89.5 
93.5 
92.8 
78.4 
Lakshadweep 
26.4 
23.7 
25.8 
46.0 
Madhya Pradesh 
51.5 
55.8 
54.7 
52.5 
Maharashtra 
52.0 
56.1 
54.2 
48.0 
Manipur 
30.5 
28.8 
29.4 
26.4 
Meghalaya 
51.8 
54.3 
53.8 
56.2 
Mizoram 
30.8 
39.9 
34.8 
24.8 
Nagaland 
27.3 
29.8 
28.9 
27.9 
Odisha 
61.5 
64.9 
64.3 
51.0 
Puducherry 
52.3 
61.4 
55.1 
52.4 
Punjab 
59.0 
58.5 
58.7 
53.5 
Rajasthan 
49.9 
55.7 
54.4 
46.8 
Sikkim 
42.4 
41.9 
42.1 
34.9 
Tamil Nadu 
51.3 
55.3 
53.4 
55.0 
Telangana 
55.2 
58.9 
57.6 
56.6 
Tripura 
66.1 
67.6 
67.2 
54.5 
Uttar Pradesh 
50.1 
50.5 
50.4 
52.4 
Uttarakhand 
45.8 
41.1 
42.6 
45.2 
West Bengal 
65.1 
74.4 
71.4 
62.5 

Source: National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21); PRS.   
 

|                                          |       |       | NFHS-5 (2019-21)    | NFHS-4 (2015-16)    |
|------------------------------------------|-------|-------|---------------------|---------------------|
| States                                   | Urban | Rural | Total               | Total               |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands              | 47.8  | 33.3  | 40.0                | 49.0                |
| Andhra Pradesh                           | 58.7  | 65.0  | 63.2                | 58.6                |
| Arunachal Pradesh                        | 52.8  | 57.1  | 56.6                | 54.2                |
| Assam                                    | 66.4  | 68.6  | 68.4                | 35.7                |
| Bihar                                    | 67.9  | 69.7  | 69.4                | 63.5                |
| Chandigarh                               | 55.0  | *     | 54.6                | 73.1                |
| Chhattisgarh                             | 71.1  | 66.2  | 67.2                | 41.6                |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | 75.0  | 76.8  | 75.8                | 82.0                |
| Delhi                                    | 68.7  | 81.7  | 69.2                | 59.7                |
| Goa                                      | 53.3  | 53.1  | 53.2                | 48.3                |
| Gujarat                                  | 77.6  | 81.2  | 79.7                | 62.6                |
| Haryana                                  | 68.1  | 71.5  | 70.4                | 71.7                |
| Himachal Pradesh                         | 58.2  | 55.0  | 55.4                | 53.7                |
| Jammu and Kashmir                        | 70.1  | 73.5  | 72.7                | 53.8                |
| Jharkhand                                | 65.5  | 67.9  | 67.5                | 69.9                |
| Karnataka                                | 62.8  | 67.1  | 65.5                | 60.9                |
| Kerala                                   | 38.9  | 39.8  | 39.4                | 35.7                |
| Ladakh                                   | 84.1  | 95.1  | 92.5                | 91.4                |
| Lakshadweep                              | 45.5  | 36.1  | 43.1                | 53.6                |
| Madhya Pradesh                           | 72.5  | 72.7  | 72.7                | 68.9                |
| Maharashtra                              | 66.3  | 70.7  | 68.9                | 53.8                |
| Manipur                                  | 44.0  | 42.2  | 42.8                | 23.9                |
| Meghalaya                                | 38.8  | 46.0  | 45.1                | 48.0                |
| Mizoram                                  | 42.8  | 49.6  | 46.4                | 19.3                |
| Nagaland                                 | 46.4  | 41.4  | 42.7                | 26.4                |
| Odisha                                   | 56.2  | 65.6  | 64.2                | 44.6                |
| Puducherry                               | 65.3  | 60.8  | 64.0                | 44.9                |
| Punjab                                   | 71.0  | 71.1  | 71.1                | 56.6                |
| Rajasthan                                | 68.3  | 72.4  | 71.5                | 60.3                |
| Sikkim                                   | 54.8  | 57.1  | 56.4                | 55.1                |
| Tamil Nadu                               | 53.7  | 60.4  | 57.4                | 50.7                |
| Telangana                                | 64.7  | 72.8  | 70.0                | 60.7                |
| Tripura                                  | 57.3  | 66.5  | 64.3                | 48.3                |
| Uttar Pradesh                            | 65.3  | 66.7  | 66.4                | 63.2                |
| Uttarakhand                              | 63.8  | 56.6  | 58.8                | 59.8                |
| West Bengal                              | 63.0  | 71.3  | 69.0                | 54.2                |

Note: * Percentage not shown; based on fewer than 25 unweighted cases.   
Source: National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21); PRS. 

 
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