Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a Centrally sponsored Scheme implemented by States/UTs was launched on 2nd October, 1975 for promotion of maternal and child health and nutrition.
Objectives of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
The objectives of the scheme are:
- 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
- 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
Services under ICDS
In order to achieve above stated objectives, a package of six services are provided:
- Supplementary nutrition (SNP)
- Immunization
- Health check-up
- Referral services
- Pre-school non-formal education
- Nutrition & health education
Implementing Agency
The primary responsibility for the implementation of the programme is with the Department of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resources Development at the Centre and the nodal departments at the state which may be Social Welfare, Rural Development, Tribal Welfare, Health and Family Welfare or Women and Child Development.
Beneficiaries
- Children below 6 years
- Pregnant and lactating women
- Women in the age group of 15-44 years
- Adolescent girls in selected blocks
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