Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi Outlines Key Initiatives for Women and Child Welfare in Union Budget 2025-26
Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, addressed the media in New Delhi today, detailing the key highlights of the Union Budget 2025-26 and introducing new measures to improve maternal and child nutrition while promoting women entrepreneurship.
She emphasized that the Gender Budget has seen a substantial rise, now making up 8.86% of the total budget compared to 6.8% in the previous fiscal year. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) remains central to these initiatives, with a major portion of its budget dedicated to empowering women and girls through targeted programs, underscoring the government’s commitment to gender equality and women-led development.
The budget allocates a record ₹4.49 lakh crore for women’s welfare, marking a 37.25% increase from the previous year. Notably, 81.79% of the MWCD’s budget is directed towards gender-focused initiatives.
Discussing the government’s vision for women’s economic and social empowerment, Smt. Annpurna Devi remarked, “Women entrepreneurs are key contributors to India’s economic growth. Through financial assistance and skill development programs, we are creating an inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
- Focus on First 1000 Days of Life
- Popularization of Beneficiary Module
- Management of Malnutrition through implementation of the CMAM module
- Healthy Lifestyle to Address Obesity in Children
Additionally, awareness campaigns for communities will continue from Poshan Pakhwada 2025 until the declaration of 1,000 Suposhit Gram Panchayats later in the year.
Reaffirming its commitment to combating malnutrition, the Ministry launched the Suposhit Panchayat Scheme during the national event for Veer Baal Diwas on December 26, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam. This initiative aims to recognize and honor the top 1,000 Gram Panchayats nationwide as ‘Suposhit Gram Panchayats’ for their outstanding efforts in enhancing nutrition and health at the grassroots level.
As part of the 100-day campaign celebrating a decade of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, over 1,342 programs have been conducted across the country, engaging more than 13 lakh participants, including 1,410 public representatives. These initiatives have covered a wide range of activities, including:
- Sensitization programs on menstrual hygiene and the PC/PNDT Act
- Plantation drives promoting environmental sustainability
- Recognition of meritorious girl students to encourage academic excellence
The campaign has played a crucial role in advancing gender equality, raising awareness, and reinforcing the commitment to ensuring the well-being and empowerment of young girls across the nation.
Highlighting the Ministry’s initiatives, Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi referenced the Ministry’s award-winning tableau from the Republic Day parade. This tableau artistically depicted the life-cycle continuum approach of its schemes and underscored the theme of Women-Led Development, reflecting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dedication to empowering women and children.
The tableau showcased flagship MWCD schemes, including the One Stop Centre, Women Helpline (181), Child Helpline (1098), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Saksham Anganwadi, and Poshan Abhiyaan. It also marked the 10th anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the 50th anniversary of the Anganwadi Scheme, while celebrating women’s increasing presence in advanced fields like artificial intelligence, technology, and various professional domains.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to women and child development, the Union Minister highlighted key initiatives such as the Chintan Shivir, held from January 10-12, 2025, in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The event brought together delegations from 32 States and Union Territories, including 16 State Ministers from Women and Child Development Departments, to discuss critical issues concerning the welfare and progress of women and children.
The Chintan Shivir served as a platform for exchanging innovative ideas, sharing best practices, exploring policy enhancements, and ensuring the effective execution of key initiatives across states.
Recognizing the contributions of field functionaries, the Ministry honored over 200 individuals—including Anganwadi Workers, Child Development Project Officers, and District Programme Officers—as Special Guests at the Republic Day Ceremony on January 26, 2025. These professionals were acknowledged for their dedication to the empowerment of women and children.
Further demonstrating its commitment to women’s empowerment, the Ministry curated a digital exhibition at Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. This exhibition provides an engaging and interactive experience, narrating India’s progress in women-led development through various schemes, policies, and programs.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development remains steadfast in its mission to foster holistic development, enhance nutritional security, and promote economic empowerment for women and children. In alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat, MoWCD continues to drive efforts toward building a healthier, stronger, and more empowered India