Eradicating Hunger & Malnutrition in India: CSR Guide for Food Security, Nutrition Programs & Social Impact (2025)

India faces a paradox: as the world's fifth-largest economy, it is also home to the highest number of malnourished people globally—over 172 million undernourished individuals and 37 million stunted children. Despite producing enough food to feed its population, systemic issues in distribution, poverty, and awareness leave millions hungry.

Eradicating hunger and malnutrition is explicitly covered under Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013 as a priority CSR activity. With healthcare and nutrition receiving 29% of total CSR funds (₹8,739+ crore annually), there is significant opportunity for corporates to create lasting social impact through strategic nutrition interventions.

India's Hunger & Nutrition Crisis: Key Statistics (2025)

Malnutrition Indicators: Progress & Gaps

Understanding India's Hunger Challenge

Key Facts & Figures

• India ranks 102nd out of 123 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2025 with a 'serious' hunger level
• 18.7% child wasting rate—the highest in the world (21+ million children)
• 37 million children under 5 are stunted (24.6% of world's stunted children)
• 57% of women aged 15-49 suffer from anemia (203 million women)
• 42.9% of Indians cannot afford a healthy diet
• 40% of food produced in India is wasted annually while millions go hungry
• High-burden states: Bihar (42.9% stunting), Jharkhand (39.6%), Gujarat (39%), UP, MP

The Double Burden of Malnutrition

India faces a unique challenge—simultaneous undernutrition and rising overweight/obesity. While 1 in 3 children remain underweight, adult obesity has more than doubled from 33.6 million to 71.4 million in a decade. Overweight children under 5 increased from 2.7 million to 4.2 million. This requires balanced interventions addressing both ends of the malnutrition spectrum.

Government Nutrition Schemes: Where CSR Can Complement

CSR Investment Opportunities in Hunger & Nutrition

Eradicating hunger, poverty, and malnutrition is the first item listed in Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013, making it a priority CSR activity. Here's how corporates can invest:

The Business Case: ROI of Nutrition Investments

Every ₹1 Invested in Nutrition Returns ₹18 in Economic Value

— World Bank & Copenhagen Consensus

• India loses billions annually in economic output due to malnutrition effects
• Stunting impairs cognitive development, limiting lifetime earning potential by 10-20%
• First 1,000 days (pregnancy to age 2) are critical—interventions here have highest ROI
• Mid-day meals increase school enrollment by 15% and attendance by 10%
• Nutrition CSR aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is hunger eradication a valid CSR activity under Indian law?

Yes, absolutely. 'Eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition' is the FIRST item listed under Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013. This includes promoting healthcare including preventive healthcare and sanitation, and making available safe drinking water. Nutrition programs, food banks, mid-day meal supplementation, and community kitchens all qualify as legitimate CSR expenditure.

Q2: How much CSR funding goes to hunger and nutrition in India?

Healthcare and nutrition together receive approximately 29% of total CSR funds—around ₹8,739 crore annually. Combined with education (which includes mid-day meals), the food and nutrition space receives over ₹18,824 crore in CSR investments. This makes it the second-largest CSR sector after education.

Q3: What is the Global Hunger Index and where does India rank?

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is an annual report measuring hunger using four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality. In 2025, India ranks 102nd out of 123 countries with a score of 25.8, classified as 'serious' hunger level. India has the world's highest child wasting rate (18.7%) and 24.6% of global stunted children. This ranking highlights the urgent need for nutrition interventions.

Q4: What is the difference between stunting and wasting?

Stunting refers to low height-for-age, indicating chronic undernutrition over time. It affects brain development and lifetime potential. India has 32.9% child stunting (37 million children). Wasting refers to low weight-for-height, indicating acute malnutrition from recent food shortage or illness. India has 18.7% wasting—the highest globally. Wasting is an urgent indicator requiring immediate intervention, while stunting requires sustained long-term nutrition programs.

Q5: What is a food bank and how can CSR support it?

A food bank is an organization that collects, stores, and distributes food to hungry populations. It may source food from donations, surplus recovery from events/restaurants, or direct procurement. CSR can fund food bank operations including infrastructure (storage, refrigeration, kitchens), food procurement, logistics and distribution, volunteer coordination, and beneficiary identification. Responsenet's Delhi FoodBank initiative provides daily meals to underprivileged communities across Delhi-NCR.

Q6: What is PM POSHAN and how can CSR complement it?

PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman), formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, provides hot cooked meals to 11.80 crore children in 11.20 lakh government schools. Budget allocation is ₹12,500 crore for FY 2025-26. CSR can complement PM POSHAN by: supplementing nutrition quality with additional proteins/micronutrients, upgrading kitchen infrastructure, providing utensils and hygiene facilities, supporting monitoring and evaluation, and addressing gaps in meal variety and nutritional content.

Q7: Why is anemia such a critical issue for CSR intervention?

Anemia affects 57% of Indian women aged 15-49 (over 200 million women)—one of the highest rates globally. Shockingly, anemia increased from 53.1% (NFHS-4) to 57% (NFHS-5) despite government programs. Anemia causes fatigue, reduced productivity, complications in pregnancy, low birth weight babies, and intergenerational malnutrition. CSR interventions can include iron-folic acid supplementation programs, awareness campaigns, hemoglobin testing camps, and dietary diversification education.

Q8: What is the 'first 1,000 days' concept in nutrition?

The first 1,000 days—from conception through a child's second birthday—is the most critical window for nutrition intervention. Nutrition during this period determines physical growth, brain development, immune function, and lifelong health outcomes. Stunting that occurs in this window is largely irreversible. CSR programs targeting pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under 2 have the highest return on investment. This is why Anganwadi strengthening and maternal nutrition programs are high-impact CSR opportunities.

Q9: Which states have the highest malnutrition burden?

States with highest child stunting include Bihar (42.9%), Jharkhand (39.6%), Gujarat (39%), Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. For wasting, Gujarat (25.1%), Jharkhand (22.4%), and Bihar (22.9%) are most affected. These states require priority CSR intervention. Interestingly, even economically developed states like Gujarat show high malnutrition, indicating that economic growth alone doesn't solve nutrition challenges—targeted interventions are essential.

Q10: How can companies measure impact of nutrition CSR programs?

Nutrition CSR impact can be measured through: number of meals served, beneficiaries reached (daily/monthly/annually), anthropometric improvements (height, weight, BMI of children), hemoglobin levels for anemia programs, school attendance linked to mid-day meals, reduction in stunting/wasting in target populations, maternal health indicators, and cost per meal/beneficiary. Companies with ₹10 crore+ CSR obligation must conduct mandatory third-party impact assessment for projects of ₹1 crore+. Responsenet provides comprehensive M&E frameworks for nutrition programs.

Q11: What is the role of food waste recovery in addressing hunger?

Over 40% of food produced in India is wasted annually while millions go hungry. Food waste recovery involves collecting surplus food from events, restaurants, hotels, caterers, and corporate cafeterias, then redistributing it to hungry populations before spoilage. Organizations like Feeding India (Zomato) have served 23+ crore meals through such initiatives. CSR can fund food recovery networks, cold chain logistics, volunteer coordination, and technology platforms connecting food donors with beneficiaries. This addresses both hunger and environmental sustainability.

Q12: Can CSR fund nutritious meals for hospital patients?

Yes. Providing nutritious food to underprivileged patients and their families at government hospitals is a valid CSR activity under Schedule VII (healthcare and poverty eradication). Many poor families cannot afford meals during extended hospital stays, affecting patient recovery. CSR-funded programs can provide daily meals to patients in government hospitals, nutrition support during treatment and recovery, and special dietary requirements for conditions like TB or cancer. Organizations like Uday Foundation demonstrate this model successfully.

Q13: How does Responsenet's Delhi FoodBank work?

Responsenet's Delhi FoodBank initiative provides daily nutritious meals to underprivileged communities across Delhi-NCR including homeless populations, migrant workers, slum dwellers, and those affected by disasters. The program involves community kitchens, meal distribution networks, and partnerships with local organizations. CSR partners can fund daily meal programs (₹15 provides one meal), kitchen infrastructure, food procurement, volunteer coordination, and beneficiary identification. Impact is measured through meals served, beneficiaries reached, and nutritional outcomes.

Q14: What is POSHAN Abhiyaan and its implementation gaps?

POSHAN Abhiyaan (now POSHAN 2.0) is the government's flagship nutrition mission targeting malnutrition in women, children, and adolescents through Anganwadi centers. It covers 14+ lakh Anganwadis and 9+ crore beneficiaries. However, only 56% of allocated budget (₹5,312 crore) was utilized between 2019-2021, indicating significant implementation gaps. CSR can bridge these gaps by strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure, training workers, providing supplementary nutrition, supporting Poshan Tracker digitization, and enhancing last-mile delivery.

Q15: How can companies partner with Responsenet for nutrition CSR?

Responsenet provides end-to-end nutrition CSR implementation including: Delhi FoodBank community meal programs, mid-day meal supplementation in schools, Anganwadi strengthening initiatives, maternal and child nutrition programs, anemia elimination campaigns, food waste recovery networks, nutrition awareness and education, and comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment. We operate across 23+ states with proven implementation capabilities. Contact us at [email protected] or call +91 9810007524 to discuss your nutrition CSR strategy.

Join the Fight Against Hunger

Partner with Responsenet's Delhi FoodBank initiative to create lasting impact. Every meal counts. Every rupee creates ₹18 in social value.