Over 4.79 Lakh Children in Karnataka Severely Stunted: Govt Data

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Feb 15, 2026: Despite multiple nutrition schemes, over 4.79 lakh children aged 0–6 years in Karnataka have been identified as severely stunted, according to government data presented in the Legislature.

Replying to a question by BJP MLC Hemalatha Nayak, Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said that out of 32,29,644 children registered at Anganwadi centres, 32,17,112 were assessed for height and weight, of whom 4,79,931 were found to be severely stunted.

Belagavi district reported the highest number with 50,522 stunted children, followed by Vijayapura (46,434), Kalaburagi (43,919), Raichur (36,836), Koppal (28,070) and Yadgir (27,066). The lowest numbers were recorded in Chikkamagaluru (1,337), Ramanagara (2,264), Hassan (3,173), Dakshina Kannada (3,248), Kodagu (3,448) and Udupi (4,304).

The minister said the government has implemented measures including supplementary nutrition, boiled eggs twice a week, and milk under the Ksheera Bhagya scheme. A new initiative, Chiguru, has been launched in eight districts, including Belagavi and Raichur, to identify severely malnourished children and provide health check-ups and nutritious food.

Hebbalkar added that children’s height and weight will be monitored monthly at Anganwadi centres and re-measurements will be conducted to identify root causes of stunting.