Integrated Child Development Scheme

Integrated Child Development Scheme

  1. Introduction
  2. Objectives
  3. Beneficiaries
  4. Services under ICDS
  5. Funding pattern

Introduction

  • The Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) Scheme providing for supplementary nutrition, immunization and pre-school education to the children is a popular flagship programme of the government.
  • Launched in 1975, it is one of the world’s largest programmes providing for an integrated package of services for the holistic development of the child.
  • ICDS is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by state governments and union territories.
  • The scheme is universal covering all the districts of the country.
  • The Scheme has been renamed as Anganwadi Services.

Objectives

  • 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.

Beneficiaries

  • Children in the age group of 0-6 years
  • Pregnant women and
  • Lactating mothers

Services under ICDS

The ICDS Scheme offers a package of six services, viz.

    • Supplementary Nutrition
    • Pre-school non-formal education
    • Nutrition & health education
    • Immunization
    • Health check-up and
    • Referral services

Three of the six services viz. immunization, health check-up and referral services are related to health and are provided through National Health Mission and Public Health Infrastructure. The services are offered at Anganwadi Centres through Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHS) at grassroots level.

Funding pattern

  • All components of ICDS except Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) are financed through a 60:40 ratio (central : state).
  • The Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) component was funded through a 50:50 ratio. The North East states have a 90:10 ratio.

Under SNP, beneficiaries are given hot meals along with take-home rations. For children, the quantum of rations and meals received depends on their malnutrition levels. SNP is provided for 300 days at the rate of Rs 8 per day for children and Rs 9.50 per day for pregnant and lactating mothers. Severely malnourished children are allocated Rs 12 per day. Adolescent Girls (11-14 years out of school) are allocated Rs 9.50 per day.