The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is a flagship social welfare scheme of the Government of India, launched on October 2, 1975, to address the health, nutrition, and education needs of children below 6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. It is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive early childhood care programs.
The scheme was started in 1975 and aims at the holistic development of children and empowerment of mother. It is a Centrally-Sponsored scheme. The scheme primarily runs through the Anganwadi centre. The scheme is under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Key Components of ICDS
| Component | Description |
|---|
| 1. Supplementary Nutrition | Nutritional support to children (6 months to 6 years), pregnant women, and lactating mothers. |
| 2. Immunization | Immunization for children and pregnant women to protect against life-threatening diseases. |
| 3. Health Check-ups | Regular health check-ups, growth monitoring, and early detection of illnesses. |
| 4. Referral Services | Referral to healthcare facilities for those requiring specialized medical attention. |
| 5. Non-formal Education | Pre-school education for children aged 3 to 6 years to promote early learning. |
| 6. Nutrition & Health Education | Awareness programs for mothers on child care, nutrition, hygiene, and family planning. |
ICDS Objectives
The chief objectives of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme are as follows:
- To improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years;
- To lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child;
- To reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout;
- To achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development; and
- To enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.
CDS Provisions and Services
Integrated Child Development Services is Centrally-Sponsored and will provide the following six services to the beneficiaries:
- Supplementary Nutrition (SNP)
- Health & Nutrition Check-Up
- Immunization
- Non-Formal Education for Children in Pre-School
- Health and Nutrition Education
- Referral services
These services are provided from Anganwadi centres established mainly in rural areas and staffed with frontline workers.
Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP)
Under this segment of the ICDS, children below 6 years and pregnant and lactating mothers are identified within the community and are provided with supplementary feeding and growth monitoring services. The beneficiaries are given 300 days of supplementary feeding. By giving supplementary feeding, the scheme tries to bridge the caloric gap between the national recommended and average intake of children and women in low-income categories.
Health & Nutrition Check-Up
This includes healthcare of children under six years of age, antenatal care of pregnant women and postnatal care of nursing mothers. Services offered include regular health check-ups, treatment of diarrhoea, deworming, weight recording, immunizations and distribution of simple medicines.
Immunization
Children are given vaccinations against the following preventable diseases: diphtheria, polio, pertussis, measles, TB and tetanus. Pregnant women are given vaccinations against tetanus that reduced neonatal and maternal mortality.
Non-Formal Education for Children in Pre-School (PSE)
This segment can be deemed to be the backbone of the ICDS scheme. All the services of the scheme converge at the Anganwadi centres in villages and rural areas, and urban slums. This preschool educational programme mainly for underprivileged children is directed towards providing and ensuring a natural, joyful and stimulating environment, with emphasis on necessary inputs for optimal growth and development. The early learning component of the ICDS is a significant input for providing a sound foundation for cumulative lifelong learning and development. It offers the child the necessary preparation for primary schools and also frees older siblings (particularly girls) from taking care of younger children in the family and thus enabling them to attend schools.
Health and Nutrition Education
Under this component, ladies in the age group of 15 to 45 years are covered for providing Nutrition and Health Education. This forms part of BCC (Behaviour Change Communication) strategy. The long-term goal is to build the capacities of women to enable them to look after their own health, nutrition and development needs as well as that of their children and families.
Referral Services
During the regular health check-ups, any case of conditions or diseases requiring immediate medical attention is referred to the hospital or any primary health centre, etc. The Anganwadi worker is also trained to detect disabilities in children so that early intervention can be done.
Structure of ICDS
ICDS services are delivered through Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), which are village-level institutions managed by Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs).
Key Personnel in ICDS
| Personnel | Role |
|---|---|
| Anganwadi Worker (AWW) | Provides services like nutrition, health check-ups, and pre-school education. |
| Anganwadi Helper (AWH) | Assists the AWW in preparing and distributing meals and managing the centre. |
| Health Workers/ANMs | Support in immunization and health-related services. |
FAQs
What is the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme?
The ICDS is a flagship welfare program of the Government of India aimed at improving the health, nutrition, and development of children under the age of 6, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. It offers a range of services like supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-ups, and preschool education.
Who are the beneficiaries of the ICDS scheme?
The ICDS scheme primarily benefits:
- Children (0 to 6 years)
- Pregnant women
- Lactating mothers
- Adolescent girls in certain components
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