New Delhi | 8 March 2026

NITI Aayog and UNICEF India have signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to work together to improve nutrition and health outcomes in India’s Aspirational Districts and Blocks. The collaboration aims to strengthen ongoing efforts to address key health and nutrition challenges, especially in regions that require greater attention and support.

Speaking at the signing event, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of NITI Aayog Rohit Kumar highlighted the importance of partnerships in improving public welfare programmes. He said that working with organisations like UNICEF India will help strengthen initiatives focused on better healthcare and nutrition services in priority areas.

The partnership will also focus on improving service delivery at the grassroots level. Through this collaboration, UNICEF India will offer technical expertise and guidance to help design and implement effective programmes that support maternal and child nutrition in underserved communities.

As part of the initiative, UNICEF India will also help engage businesses, public sector enterprises and industry associations to encourage Corporate Social Responsibility investments in nutrition-related projects. Officials believe that by combining resources and expertise, the collaboration can significantly improve health and nutrition outcomes for mothers and children in some of the country’s most vulnerable districts.

NITI Aayog and UNICEF India Join Hands to Improve Nutrition and Health in Aspirational Regions

NITI Aayog and UNICEF India have signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to work together to improve nutrition and health outcomes in India’s Aspirational Districts and Blocks. The collaboration aims to strengthen ongoing efforts to address key health and nutrition challenges, especially in regions that require greater attention and support.

Speaking at the signing event, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of NITI Aayog Rohit Kumar highlighted the importance of partnerships in improving public welfare programmes. He said that working with organisations like UNICEF India will help strengthen initiatives focused on better healthcare and nutrition services in priority areas.

The partnership will also focus on improving service delivery at the grassroots level. Through this collaboration, UNICEF India will offer technical expertise and guidance to help design and implement effective programmes that support maternal and child nutrition in underserved communities.

As part of the initiative, UNICEF India will also help engage businesses, public sector enterprises and industry associations to encourage Corporate Social Responsibility investments in nutrition-related projects. Officials believe that by combining resources and expertise, the collaboration can significantly improve health and nutrition outcomes for mothers and children in some of the country’s most vulnerable districts.