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The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

© UNICEF/India/2006

Child playing at a anganwadi centre

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme was conceived in 1975 with an integrated delivery package of early childhood services. Today this programme reaches out to 8.06 million expectant and nursing mothers and 39.35 million children under 6 years of age.
                       
The scheme aims to improve the nutritional and health status of vulnerable groups including pre-school children, pregnant women and nursing mothers . A package of services includes - supplementary nutrition, pre-school education, immunisation, health check-ups, referral services and nutrition & health education.

© UNICEF/India/2006

Growth charts monitor children’s weight and height according to age

A key element of this programme is that all the services are provided under one roof, the anganwadi centre.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal department for UNICEF, which has provided essentials supplies to the ICDS Scheme since 1975.