ICDS Programme: Five Decades of India’s Flagship Child Development Initiative

Why in the News ?

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme has completed 50 years since its inception as a pilot in Karnataka. Over time, ICDS has evolved into the world’s largest community-based early childhood development programme, delivering nutrition, health, and pre-school services across India.

What is the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Programme?

About

• Launched on 2 October 1975, ICDS is a centrally sponsored flagship scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD).
• Aims to improve nutrition, health, and early learning outcomes for:
  • Children aged 0–6 years
  • Pregnant women
  • Lactating mothers
• The programme has now been restructured and integrated under Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0.

Objectives

• Enhance health and nutritional status of children (0–6 years).
• Provide a foundation for psychological, physical, and social development.
• Reduce child mortality, morbidity, malnutrition, and school dropout rates.
• Promote interdepartmental coordination for holistic child development.

Services Delivered Through ICDS

• Supplementary nutrition
• Immunisation support
• Health check-ups
• Referral services
• Non-formal pre-school education
• Nutrition & health education for women

Significance of ICDS

• Acts as a critical pillar for early childhood development by reducing malnutrition and improving maternal–child health outcomes.
• Supports pregnant and lactating mothers, helping decrease maternal and infant mortality.
• Integrates nutrition, healthcare, and education services at the community level through Anganwadi Centres.
• Strengthens human capital formation, reduces inter-generational poverty, and enables women’s workforce participation.

Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0

About

• Launched in FY 2021–22 as India’s unified Integrated Nutrition Support Programme.
• Combines major schemes including:
  • ICDS
  • Poshan Abhiyaan
  • Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)
  • National Crèche Scheme
• Approved for implementation during the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021–26).
• Focuses on strengthening nutrition delivery, early childhood care, and support for mothers, children, and adolescents.

Major Verticals

• Supplementary Nutrition: For children (6 months–6 years), pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls (14–18 years), especially in Aspirational Districts and the Northeast.
• Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE): Pre-school education for 3–6 years and early stimulation for 0–3 years.
• Infrastructure Upgradation: Creation of modern, upgraded Saksham Anganwadi Centres.
• Poshan Abhiyaan: National mission to achieve a malnutrition-free India through convergence and behaviour change.

Special Focus Areas

• Maternal nutrition and Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.
• Adoption of treatment protocols for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), supported by AYUSH-based wellness interventions.
• Real-time nutrition monitoring via the Poshan Tracker.
• Focus on adolescent girls’ nutrition through SAG, prioritising high-burden districts and age group 14–18 years.