Integrated Child Development Services ( ICDS) Scheme

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is designed to respond to meet the holistic needs of a child, development of health & nutrition of children (0-6 yrs) and pregnant women & nursing mothers. It also focusses on the cognitive and psychosocial development of the children through preschool education. The goal of ICDS is to break the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition and reduce to morbidity and mortality caused by nutritional deficiencies.

Objectives of ICDS Scheme:

• To improve the nutritional and health status of children below the age of six years and pregnant & nursing women;
• To lay the foundation for the proper psychological, physical and social development of the child ;
• To reduce the incidences of mortality, morbidity, mal-nutrition and school drop-outs;
• To achieve effective coordination of policy and implementation among 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 health and nutrition education.