Integrated Child development Services (ICDS)

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is an Indian government welfare programme which provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 years of age and their mothers. These services are provided from Anganwadi centres established mainly in rural areas. ICDS was launched in 1975 in accordance to the National Policy for Children in India. Over the years it has grown into one of the largest integrated family and community welfare schemes in the world.

Objectives:

1. To advance the nutritional and health standing of children in the age-group 0-6 years.
2. To create a system for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child.
3. To reduce instances of mortality, malnutrition and school dropouts.
4. To coordinate activities among all departments of various ministries involved in the different government programmes and schemes aimed at child development across India.
5. To have all the various ministries and departments work in a coordinated fashion to achieve policy implementation and create an effective ECCE system.
6. To support the mother and help her become capable of providing of the necessary nutritional and development needs of the child and aware of her own needs during pregnancy.

Beneficiaries:

All children below 6 years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers are eligible for availing of services under the ICDS Scheme.

Scheme Allocation:

Over Rs.1,03,003 crores for the Twelfth Five Year Plan Period.

Services provided Under ICDS:

1. Immunization
2. Supplementary nutrition
3. Health checkup
4. Referral services
5. Pre-school non formal education
6. Nutrition and Health information

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