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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Revisiting the dietary guidelines for Indians (ICMR–NIN 2024): Evidence, changes and implementation challenges
Authors
Preeti Kittur, M S Kousalya, V Meenakshi, A Kalaiselvan
Abstract
The Dietary Guidelines for Indians (ICMR–NIN, 2024) represent a
comprehensive and updated framework designed to address India’s evolving
nutritional challenges, including persistent under nutrition, over nutrition,
and the increasing burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases. This
article critically revisits the 2024 guidelines, tracing their evolution from
earlier editions and highlighting the scientific rationale behind the current
recommendations. Developed within the broader Food Based Dietary Guidelines
(FBDG) approach, the guidelines emphasize dietary diversity, balanced nutrient
intake, safe food practices, sustainability, and culturally relevant eating
patterns. The paper compares India’s guidelines with global WHO/FAO frameworks,
noting significant alignment in principles of adequacy, moderation, balance,
and diversity. Key advancements in the 2024 edition include the introduction of
the “My Plate for the Day” model, strengthened focus on environmental
sustainability, and integration of updated evidence from RDA 2020. Despite
their scientific robustness, the effective implementation of these guidelines
faces challenges related to affordability, regional dietary diversity, rising
consumption of ultra-processed foods, limited nutrition literacy, and weak
multi sectoral coordination. The review underscores the need for enhanced
policy integration, targeted communication strategies, and regular updates to
ensure that the guidelines remain practical, accessible, and impactful for
India’s diverse population.
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Pages:56-63
How to cite this article:
Preeti Kittur, M S Kousalya, V Meenakshi, A Kalaiselvan "Revisiting the dietary guidelines for Indians (ICMR–NIN 2024): Evidence, changes and implementation challenges". International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 56-63
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