To address the problem of under-nutrition among adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers, the Planning Commission, in 2002-03, launched the Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls on a Pilot Project basis in 51 districts in the country. Eligibility was determined on the basis of their weight.

The funds are given as 100% grant to States/UTs so that they can provide food grains through the Public Distribution System free of cost to the families of identified undernourished persons. The success of the intervention is dependent on effective linkages with the Public Distribution System (PDS). The services include: (i) 6 kg of free food-grains (wheat/rice/Maize based on habitual consumption pattern of the state) /per month per beneficiary, (ii) Nutrition and Health Education to the beneficiaries and their families.