Integrated Child Development Scheme

Introduced back in 1975, the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is a program introduced by the Government of India to support the health and well-being of children who are under the age of 6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers. The scheme mainly aims to reduce malnutrition, and child mortality while also increasing the education of children. To help deliver quality services, the ICDS scheme comes with training courses as well.

Below you will find the ICDS objectives, eligibility, application process, and more, of the ICDS!

Objectives of Integrated Child Development Scheme

The Integrated Child Development Scheme comes with 5 objectives:

1. To improve the health and nutrition of children (0 to 6 years).
2. To enhance the education and cognitive development of children.
3. To empower women and mothers to take care of their children’s health and education.
4. To reduce child mortality and malnutrition.
5. To promote policy coordination and implementation across departments to support child development.

Key Services Provided Under ICDS

There are 6 services provided under the ICDS scheme as follows:

Supplementary Nutrition

It is meant to reduce malnutrition among children (aged 6 months to 6 years) and pregnant/lactating mothers by providing them with meals that have adequate calories and nutrients. The program consists of components such as meals, rations, etc to treat and prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Immunization

To prevent the spread of diseases among mothers and children. This is meant to enhance immunity and reduce child mortality.

Health Check-ups

It consists of routine-based health check-ups for children and pregnant or lactating mothers. These health-check up services come with tablets, and diagnosis of early signs of health issues.

Referral Services

This one refers the individual to the appropriate medical institution based on the complexity of the condition. With referral services, individuals can access timely medical support for serious health concerns.

Pre-school Non-formal Education

This service is designed to encourage early education for kids aged between 3-6 years old. The aim is to improve the child’s cognitive and emotional development.

Nutrition and Health Education

It includes awareness programs for mothers and caregivers to promote better management of health. The main aim of this service is to support long-term improvements in health practices.

SRUSTI – Providing Egg

This initiative adds eggs to meals at Anganwadi Centers to improve nutrition for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. By providing essential protein and nutrients, this helps combat malnutrition.

Mathrupoorna – One Full Meal Scheme (Maternal Nutrition)

This scheme aims to improve maternal nutrition by providing pregnant and lactating women with nutritious meals regularly, at Anganwadi centers. Rice, vegetables, milk, and iron and folic acid tablets, are provided to ensure balanced nutrition for the health of mothers and their babies.

Ksheera Bhagya (Milk)

Children from the age of 6 months to 6 years are provided 150 ml of milk at the Anganwadi Centers for 5 days a week. Whereas the underweight kids are provided 200 ml of milk, 6 days a week. The Ksheera Bhagya service is meant to improve nutrition among children.

ICDS Training Programme

The ICDS training program comes with job training courses for Anganwadi workers and helpers. This is meant to help them develop the skills and knowledge in health, nutrition, and preschool education so that they can deliver better services.

The program is implemented in the Anganwadi Training Centers where regular training for ICDS activities at the rural level is provided. The Middle-Level Training Centre provides regular training and specialized programs to mothers, community leaders, and voluntary organizations.

Target Beneficiaries of the ICDS Program

The target audience of the ICDS program mainly consists of:

• Children up to the age of 6,since it is the critical time period for their development, that is, physical, mental, and emotional.
• Pregnant women,to avoid lack of nutrition and related health issues.
• Lactating mothers,to maintain the health of the mother.

Implementation Strategy of the ICDS

The implementation strategy of the ICDS comes with various components, such as:

1. Delivery Platform:Services are delivered through a network of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), managed by Anganwadi workers and helpers.
2. Service Integration:The scheme combines six key services—nutrition, health care, immunization, education, health check-ups, and counseling—ensuring holistic support for beneficiaries. Health-related services are coordinated with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare​.
3. Cost-Sharing Model:The cost is shared between the Central and State Governments, with higher support for certain regions like northeastern states.
4. Monitoring System:A five-level monitoring framework operates from the national to the Anganwadi level to track progress and ensure accountability.
5. Community Engagement:Local organizations, Panchayati Raj institutions, and volunteers are involved to ensure community support and participation​​.
6. Use of Technology:Digital tools like the Management Information System (MIS) and ICT-based solutions are used to enhance the scheme’s efficiency and transparency​.
7. Special Projects and Partnerships:Initiatives like the ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP), supported by the World Bank, are targeted at undernourished children in select regions for focused interventions​.

These ensure that the ICDS effectively meets its goal of supporting child development, maternal health, and community well-being.

Role of Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) in ICDS

As mentioned earlier, Anganwadi Centers serve as the primary element in the services provided by the ICDS scheme. Have a look at the role of ICDS Anganwadi Centers in the following:

Involvement of Health and Family Welfare Departments

With the collaboration of the Health and Family Departments with the Anganwadi Centers, two aspects of the ICDS are strengthened. That is health services for both mothers and kids and their access at a single location.

Community Participation in ICDS

The involvement of the community is important for the successful implementation of the ICDS. This is because it helps to spread awareness about nutrition and health, promotes the practice of better caregiving, etc.

Furthermore, community participation helps in local engagement, increased use of services, and more.

Achievements and Impact of the ICDS

Overall, the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS), has resulted in significant improvements. As per government sources,

• The nutritional status of ICDS children, their doses of vitamins, folic acid, etc have increased than those of children who are not under the ICDS scheme.
• The services provided for women in areas of ICDS implementation are found to be better than the ones in the non-ICDS areas.
• As per a study published in the University of Chicago Press Journals, the children who were under the ICDS scheme up to age 3 years, successfully completed their schooling levels.
• Studies have shown positive impacts on cognitive development, especially among girls and children from economically weaker backgrounds.