Abstract

Nutrition plays a foundational role in shaping the physical cognitive and emotional development of children. Yet in India millions of children from marginalized communities continue to suffer from chronic undernutrition stunting and developmental delays—outcomes deeply rooted in poverty social exclusion and institutional neglect. This paper explores the complex interrelationship between nutrition poverty and child development with a particular focus on Dalit Adivasi and other socio-economically vulnerable populations. By examining structural causes of malnutrition assessing the effectiveness of state interventions like the ICDS and POSHAN Abhiyaan and analyzing grassroots innovations the paper advocates for a rights-based community-driven approach to child nutrition that addresses inequality at its core and prioritizes holistic human development.