haya.Learning made clear
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) sheet
10-mark answer frame

Describe the objectives, beneficiaries and services of the ICDS programme.

How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.

  1. 1 · Open in two lines. ICDS is India's largest programme for early childhood care and nutrition, started on 2 October 1975 in 33 blocks and run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  2. 2 · Objectives.
    • Nutrition and health of children 0-6.
    • Psychological, physical and social development.
    • Lower mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and drop-out.
    • Coordination of departments; mothers' nutrition and health education.
  3. 3 · Beneficiaries. Children 0-6 years, pregnant and lactating women, women 15-45 for education, adolescent girls.
  4. 4 · Draw the six-service table. [Table: service, beneficiaries, delivered by]
  5. 5 · Supplementary nutrition. THR for 6 months-3 years and mothers; snack and hot meal for 3-6 years; extra for severely underweight children; amounts fixed by government norms.
  6. 6 · Functionaries. Anganwadi worker, helper, supervisor, CDPO; ANM, ASHA and medical officer.
  7. 7 · In the community. Growth monitoring, cooking demonstrations with local millets, Poshan Tracker records.
  8. 8 · Close in one line. ICDS works when the anganwadi, the health system and mothers act together.

Scoring tip: The six-service table is the core of the answer; add who delivers each service to show depth.