Having realized the utmost urgency and importance of giving highest priority to develop human resources, the Government of India found it most essential to evolve a national programme for the overall development of children.
The result of this concern is the emergence of a national programme called Integrated Child Development Services Scheme in the year 1975, with a modest coverage of 33 projects in the country with one pilot project.
The welfare of pregnant and nursing mothers and children below 6 years has acquired a prime place in the programme.
Objectives of the scheme
Improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group 0-6 years.
Lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child.
Reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school drop-out.
Achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development
Enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.
Targeted beneficiaries The benefits of the scheme are provided to children below 6 years, pregnant women and nursing mothers belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged families living in backward rural and tribal areas, urban slums and places where SC/ST/minority populations are concentrated.
Services under ICDS The package of six services provided is
Participants