Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is one of India’s flagship welfare programs aimed at improving the nutritional and health status of children under six years of age, as well as pregnant and nursing women, adolescent girls, and other women aged 15–45 years. Designed to ensure holistic child development through a combination of nutrition, healthcare, and education, ICDS integrates various essential services to combat childhood malnutrition, mortality, and school dropouts. It represents a critical investment in the nation’s future human capital.
Historical Context
The ICDS program was first conceptualized by the Department of Social Welfare and launched in 1975 as a pilot in 22 districts. Its success led to expansion to 100 districts by 1978 and, by 1982, the program was operational nationwide. In 2005, the financial responsibility was shared equally between the Government of India and the state governments. ICDS today stands as a universally accessible service, irrespective of the economic status of its beneficiaries.
Infrastructure and Reach
An Anganwadi Centre (AWC) — the pivotal point of ICDS services — is allocated based on population:
- 1 AWC for 400–800 population
- 2 AWCs for 800–1600 population
- 3 AWCs for 1600–2400 population
- Mini-AWC for settlements of 150–400 people Special arrangements are made for tribal and difficult areas with relaxed norms to ensure accessibility.
Objectives
The ICDS program is designed with clear and measurable objectives:
- Improve nutritional and health status of children aged 0–6 years
- Lay the foundation for psychological, physical, and social development
- Reduce mortality, morbidity, and malnutrition
- Lower school dropout rates
- Enhance maternal knowledge and practices regarding nutrition and health
Beneficiaries
The program covers:
- Children below 6 years
- Adolescent girls aged 11–18 years
- Pregnant and nursing mothers
- Other women aged 15–45 years
Core Services
The six primary services provided under ICDS are:
- Supplementary Nutrition
- Nutrition and Health Education
- Immunization
- Health Checkups
- Non-formal Pre-School Education
- Schemes for Adolescent Girls
Supplementary Nutrition: Quantitative Details
Supplementary nutrition is a cornerstone of ICDS and is provided 300 days per year. The nutritional support includes:
| Category | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Children (<3 years) | 500 kcal/day | 12–15 g/day |
| Severely malnourished children | 800 kcal/day | 20–25 g/day |
| Pregnant/Nursing Women | 600 kcal/day | 18–20 g/day |
| Adolescent Girls | 600 kcal/day | 18–20 g/day |
Food Items Provided (Monthly THR)
- Pregnant & Lactating Women (Non-tribal): 3 kg rice, 1 kg dal, 500 ml oil, 25 eggs, 5 liters milk
- Pregnant & Lactating Women (Tribal): Multi-grain atta 2 kg, ragi flour 1 kg, 500 gms jaggery, 500 gms groundnut chikki, 500 gms dry dates, 6 liters milk
- Children (6–36 months): 2.5 kg Balamrutham, 30 eggs, 2.5–6 liters milk
- Children (36–72 months): 75 gm rice, 15 gm dal, 5 ml oil, 1 egg daily, 100–200 ml milk daily
Meals are designed to provide one hot cooked meal and a morning snack daily. For children under 3 years and pregnant/lactating women, a Take-Home Ration (THR) is provided.
Nutrition and Health Education
All women aged 15–45 years, especially pregnant and nursing women, are educated on:
- Balanced diets
- Infant and young child feeding practices
- Hygiene and sanitation practices Village Health Nutrition Days are organized twice monthly:
- 1st Friday: Focus on growth monitoring
- 3rd Friday: Immunization and antenatal care (ANC) services
Immunization Support
ICDS assists the health system in achieving full immunization coverage:
- For Children: BCG, Hepatitis B, OPV, IPV, Pentavalent, Rotavirus, and Japanese Encephalitis vaccines
- For Pregnant Women: Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccine Additionally, iron-folic acid tablets and protein supplements are distributed.
Health Checkups and Growth Monitoring
Key health interventions include:
- Regular antenatal and postnatal checkups
- Physical examinations (minimum three during pregnancy)
- Height and weight recording at intervals
- Milestone monitoring
- Deworming initiatives
- Prophylaxis for Vitamin A deficiency and anemia
Serious cases are referred to higher healthcare centers, ensuring timely interventions.
Tools Used:
- Shakir’s tape for mid-upper arm circumference
- Salter’s hanging weighing scale
- Growth charts
Non-Formal Pre-School Education
Children aged 3–6 years are engaged through:
- Play-based learning with local toys
- Structured learning through PP-1 and PP-2 workbooks
- Integration of the new initiative “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” which merges nutrition with education
Adolescent Girls Schemes
Special programs include:
- Kishori Shakti Yojana: Empowerment initiatives
- Nutrition Program for Adolescent Girls: Provision of 6 kg food grains monthly
- SABALA: Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for empowerment
- Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahayog Yojana (IGMSY): Conditional maternity benefits
Organizational Structure
Each ICDS project covers:
- 100,000 population in urban/rural areas
- 35,000 population in tribal areas
Hierarchy:
- Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) heads the project
- Supervisors (1 per 20–25 AWCs)
- Anganwadi Workers (AWW) and Helpers at each AWC
Coordination with Primary Health Centres ensures service delivery.
Impact Assessment Indicators
Effectiveness is measured by:
- Increased birth weights
- Reduction in malnutrition rates
- Improved immunization coverage
- Decrease in infant and child mortality rates
Conclusion
ICDS remains a model example of integrated public health and nutrition services. With specific caloric and protein targets, structured meal plans, systematic health education, and robust monitoring, it is a vital step toward achieving national goals of child and maternal health. Continuous improvement, focused implementation, and robust monitoring are essential to maintain and enhance the program’s success.
1. When was the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program launched in India?
A) 1972
B) 1975
C) 1980
D) 1985
Answer: B) 1975
2. What is the population criterion for establishing one Anganwadi Centre (AWC) in a rural area?
A) 150–400 people
B) 400–800 people
C) 800–1600 people
D) 1600–2400 people
Answer: B) 400–800 people
3. Which of the following is NOT a primary objective of the ICDS program?
A) Improve nutritional and health status of children aged 0–6 years
B) Provide employment opportunities to all rural youth
C) Reduce mortality, morbidity, and malnutrition
D) Enhance maternal knowledge and practices regarding nutrition and health
Answer: B) Provide employment opportunities to all rural youth
4. How many kilocalories per day are provided to severely malnourished children under the supplementary nutrition program?
A) 500 kcal
B) 600 kcal
C) 800 kcal
D) 1000 kcal
Answer: C) 800 kcal
5. What is the monthly Take-Home Ration (THR) for pregnant and lactating women in non-tribal areas?
A) 2 kg rice, 1 kg dal, 500 ml oil, 20 eggs, 4 liters milk
B) 3 kg rice, 1 kg dal, 500 ml oil, 25 eggs, 5 liters milk
C) 3 kg rice, 2 kg dal, 1 liter oil, 30 eggs, 6 liters milk
D) 2 kg rice, 1 kg dal, 500 ml oil, 20 eggs, 4 liters milk
Answer: B) 3 kg rice, 1 kg dal, 500 ml oil, 25 eggs, 5 liters milk
6. Which of the following services is NOT provided under the ICDS scheme?
A) Supplementary Nutrition
B) Immunization
C) Vocational Training for Youth
D) Non-formal Pre-School Education
Answer: C) Vocational Training for Youth
7. On which days are Village Health Nutrition Days organized for growth monitoring and immunization services?
A) 1st and 15th of every month
B) 2nd and 4th Saturdays
C) 1st and 3rd Fridays
D) Every Monday and Thursday
Answer: C) 1st and 3rd Fridays
8. What tool is used for measuring mid-upper arm circumference in children under ICDS?
A) Measuring tape
B) Shakir’s tape
C) Weighing scale
D) Stadiometer
Answer: B) Shakir’s tape
9. Which vaccine is NOT listed as part of the immunization support under ICDS?
A) BCG
B) Hepatitis B
C) Rotavirus
D) Influenza
Answer: D) Influenza
10. What is the daily protein requirement provided to adolescent girls under the supplementary nutrition program?
A) 12–15 grams
B) 15–18 grams
C) 18–20 grams
D) 20–25 grams
Answer: C) 18–20 grams
DoctorDP 