Mission SEHAT

Source: BS

Context

After India’s consolidation of food security through grain production, the next step is nutritional security to combat health issues attributable to poor or flawed nourishment. Mission SEHAT (Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation) was jointly launched on 11 May 2026 in New Delhi by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), unveiled by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. It aims to promote production and consumption of nutrition-rich foods while reorienting public-health policy from curative treatment toward prevention. The mission has come amid growing concern that modern high-yielding crop varieties are less nourishing than their older versions (about 38 per cent lower content of nutrients like calcium, iron, and phosphorus in some studies). NFHS-6 (2023-24) data reveals a dual burden of malnutrition: about 19.7 per cent of population has BMI below normal, while 27.3 per cent men and 30.7 per cent women are overweight or obese. Among children, 31.8 per cent are underweight, 29.3 per cent stunted (low height-for-age), and 5.2 per cent severely wasted. The mission is built on a five-pronged action plan.

Mission SEHAT

• Full name: Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation.
• Launched: 11 May 2026.
• Venue: New Delhi.
• Joint launch by: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
• Unveiled by:
  • Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda (Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Chemicals & Fertilisers).
  • Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development).
• Mode: National Mission-Mode Programme.

What is Mission SEHAT?

A national mission to:

• Integrate agriculture, nutrition, and public health.
• Translate agricultural advancements into improved health outcomes.
• Shift India’s health strategy from reactive, treatment-based to proactive, prevention-focused.
• Strengthen inter-sectoral convergence.
• Address the double burden of malnutrition.

Why is It Needed?

The Dual Burden of Malnutrition (NFHS-6)

Adult Population (BMI Indicators)

Indicator	Statistics
BMI below normal (Underweight)	about 19.7 per cent of population
Overweight/Obese men	27.3 per cent (up from 22.9 per cent in NFHS-5)
Overweight/Obese women	30.7 per cent (up from 24.0 per cent in NFHS-5)

Children Under 5 (NFHS-6)

Indicator	NFHS-6 (2023-24)	NFHS-5 (2019-21)
Underweight	31.8 per cent	32.1 per cent
Stunting (low height-for-age)	29.3 per cent	35.5 per cent
Wasting (low weight-for-height)	19.0 per cent	19.3 per cent
Severe Wasting	5.2 per cent	7.7 per cent

The Nutrient Decline Concern

• Modern high-yielding crop varieties have lower content of nutrients than traditional varieties.
• Studies show: Up to 38 per cent lower content of calcium, iron, phosphorus in mid-20th century bred strains vs traditional counterparts.
• Result: Possible cause of hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiency despite calorie sufficiency).

Aims and Objectives

• Promote production and consumption of nutrition-rich foods.
• Reorient public-health policy toward prevention.
• Address non-communicable diseases (NCDs): Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease.
• Address malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
• Strengthen One Health approach.

The Five-Pronged Action Plan

1. Biofortified and Nutrient-Dense Crops

• Promote biofortified crop varieties with higher content of:
  • Iron and Zinc.
  • Key vitamins (A, B-complex, etc.).
• Tackle hidden hunger: Deficiency in essential micronutrients.
• Boost consumption of:
  • Millets (jowar, bajra, ragi, kodo, etc.).
  • Ragi.
  • Other nutrient-dense grains.

Biofortified Varieties Released by ICAR (Examples)

• Wheat: HD-3171, MACS 4028.
• Rice: CR Dhan 310, DRR Dhan 45.
• Pearl millet: HHB 299 (iron-rich).
• Maize: Pusa Vivek QPM 9 Improved.

2. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)

• Combine crop farming with allied activities:
  • Horticulture.
  • Animal husbandry.
  • Beekeeping.
  • Fisheries.
  • Poultry.
  • Piggery.
• Benefits:
  • Increases availability of nutritious foods.
  • Adds nutritional diversity to diets.
  • Boosts farm incomes.
  • Strengthens resilience to climate change.

3. Agriculture-Linked Strategies for NCDs

• Promote functional foods:
  • Foods with health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
  • Examples: Probiotic-rich foods, omega-3 rich foods, antioxidant-rich foods.
• Discourage:
  • Processed foods.
  • Oil-rich foods.
  • Unhealthy products.
• PM’s call: Reduced consumption of sugar, salt, and oil.

4. Occupational Health and Safety of Farmers

• Reduce exposure to toxic pesticides and hazardous chemicals.
• Promote safe agricultural practices.
• Protect farmworker health.
• Reduce farmer suicide risk from chronic chemical exposure.

5. One Health Approach

• Integrate research in:
  • Human health.
  • Animal health (livestock).
  • Environmental health.
• Strengthen One Health preparedness through:
  • Integrated surveillance.
  • Diagnostics.
  • Joint research at human-animal-environment interface.
• Minimise environmental damage.

About ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

• Founded: 16 July 1929 as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
• Renamed: 1946.
• Headquartered: Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi.
• Director General: Dr. Mangi Lal Jat (since November 2024).
• Functions:
  • Coordinate, guide, and manage research and education in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries.
  • Develop and release new crop varieties.
  • Operates 113 ICAR Institutes + 74 Agricultural Universities + 731 KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras).

About ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research)

• Founded: 1911 as Indian Research Fund Association.
• Renamed ICMR: 1949.
• Headquartered: Ansari Nagar, New Delhi.
• Director General: Dr. Rajiv Bahl (since November 2023).
• Functions:
  • Apex body for formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research in India.
  • One of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world.
  • Operates 32 institutes across India.

About NFHS (National Family Health Survey)

• Conducted by: International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Frequency: Approximately every 5 years.
• Editions:
  • NFHS-1: 1992-93.
  • NFHS-2: 1998-99.
  • NFHS-3: 2005-06.
  • NFHS-4: 2015-16.
  • NFHS-5: 2019-21.
  • NFHS-6: 2023-24 (released 29 May 2026).
• NFHS-6 coverage: 6,79,238 households, 7,16,397 women, 1,00,977 men across 715 districts.

NFHS-6 Other Notable Findings (Beyond Editorial)

• Institutional deliveries: 90.6 per cent (up from 88.6 per cent).
• Antenatal care: 95.9 per cent.
• Full immunisation (12-23 months): 87.1 per cent.
• Rotavirus vaccination: 85.4 per cent (from 36.4 per cent).
• C-section rate: 27.2 per cent (from 21.5 per cent).
• Exclusive breastfeeding (6 months): 55.8 per cent (down from 63.7 per cent, concerning reversal).
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR): 1.9 (down from 2.0; below replacement level of 2.1).
• Health insurance coverage: 60.2 per cent (up from 4.8 per cent in 2005-06).
• Women’s bank account use: 89.0 per cent.

About One Health Approach

• A unified approach that recognises interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
• WHO definition: An approach to designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation, and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes.
• India’s National One Health Mission: Launched 2021 by Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

Related Government Initiatives

• POSHAN Abhiyaan: National Nutrition Mission.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme (now PM POSHAN).
• Anganwadi Services: Under ICDS.
• PM Mann Ki Baat call: Reduced consumption of sugar, salt, oil.
• Eat Right India movement: FSSAI initiative.
• National Health Mission (NHM).
• Ayushman Bharat.
• National One Health Mission (2021).
• Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (October 2025).
• Promotion of millets: 2023 declared International Year of Millets.

Practice MCQs

Q1. With reference to Mission SEHAT, consider the following statements:

1. SEHAT stands for “Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation”.
2. It was launched on 11 May 2026 in New Delhi.
3. It is a joint initiative of ICAR and ICMR.
4. It was launched by the Ministry of Education.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the launch was by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, NOT the Ministry of Education.)

Q2. With reference to the five-pronged action plan under Mission SEHAT, consider the following statements:

1. Promotion of biofortified crop varieties rich in iron, zinc, and key vitamins.
2. Strengthening integrated farming systems for dietary diversification.
3. Advancing agriculture-linked strategies for non-communicable diseases through functional foods.
4. Improving occupational health and safety of farmers and farm workers.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

Q3. With reference to NFHS-6 (2023-24) findings on adult and child nutrition, consider the following statements:

1. Stunting among children under five fell from 35.5 per cent to 29.3 per cent.
2. Underweight prevalence in children under five is 31.8 per cent.
3. Overweight/obesity among women has risen to 30.7 per cent (from 24.0 per cent in NFHS-5).
4. Severe wasting in children under five increased to 7.7 per cent.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; severe wasting has DECLINED from 7.7 per cent to 5.2 per cent, NOT increased.)

Q4. With reference to ICAR and ICMR, consider the following statements:

1. ICAR was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi.
2. ICMR was founded in 1911 as the Indian Research Fund Association and renamed ICMR in 1949.
3. Both are autonomous bodies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
4. ICMR is India’s apex body for biomedical research.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 3 is wrong; ICAR is under the Ministry of Agriculture, but ICMR is under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.)

Q5. With reference to the concepts highlighted in Mission SEHAT, consider the following statements:

1. “Hidden hunger” refers to micronutrient deficiency despite adequate caloric intake.
2. Biofortification involves breeding crops with higher inherent nutrient content.
3. The “One Health” approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
4. Modern high-yielding crop varieties have been scientifically proven to be more nutritious than their traditional counterparts.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; modern HYVs have LOWER nutrient content (up to 38 per cent lower for some minerals) than traditional varieties, NOT more nutritious.)

Q6. With reference to NFHS-6 (2023-24), consider the following statements:

1. The NFHS-6 was released on 29 May 2026 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
2. It covered 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts.
3. It is conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai.
4. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) reported was 1.9, above the replacement level.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; TFR of 1.9 is BELOW the replacement level of 2.1, NOT above.)

Answer Key

1. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the launch was by Health and Agriculture Ministries.
2. (d), All four statements are correct.
3. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because severe wasting has declined.
4. (c), Statements 1, 2, 4 are correct; Statement 3 is wrong because ICMR is under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
5. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because modern HYVs have lower nutrient content.
6. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because TFR is below replacement level.

Exam Relevance

NABARD Grade A

Very high importance, agriculture, nutrition, integrated farming