Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

Source: TH

Context:

India’s ICDS marks 50 years since its 1975 launch, continuing as a key programme for child nutrition, early learning, and maternal health.

About ICDS

• Type: India’s largest early childhood care and nutrition programme.
• Coverage: Children aged 0–6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Delivery Mechanism: Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) staffed by Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers.

History

• Launch Date: 2 October 1975.
• Pilot Blocks: Dharani (Amravati) & Dharavi (Mumbai).
• Expansion: Over five decades, ICDS has grown to nearly 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres nationwide, becoming one of the world’s largest community-based child development initiatives.

Aims

1. Improve nutritional and health status of children (0–6 years).
2. Lay foundations for psychological, physical, and social development.
3. Reduce child mortality, morbidity, malnutrition, and school dropouts.
4. Ensure inter-departmental coordination for holistic child development.
5. Empower mothers through nutrition and health education.

Key Features

• Six Core Services:
  1. Supplementary nutrition
  2. Pre-school education
  3. Health check-ups
  4. Immunisation
  5. Referral services
  6. Nutrition-health education
• Collaboration: Services converge with NRHM for immunisation, ANCs, and health referrals.
• Target Group: Children below 6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and women aged 15–45.
• Scale Example: Maharashtra runs over 10 lakh Anganwadi and mini-Anganwadi centres.