INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (ICDS) SCHEME

Children in the age group 0-6 years constitute around 158 million of the population of India (2011 census).
These Children are the future human resource of the country. Ministry of Women and Child Development is
implementing various schemes for welfare, development and protection of children.

Launched on 2nd October, 1975, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is one of the
flagship programmes of the Government of India and represents one of the worlds largest and unique programmes
for early childhood care and development. It is the foremost symbol of countrys commitment to its children and
nursing mothers, as a response to the challenge of providing pre-school non-formal education on one hand and
breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality on the other. The
beneficiaries under the Scheme are children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
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; and

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

The ICDS Scheme offers a package of six services, viz.
Supplementary Nutrition

Pre-school non-formal education

Nutrition & health education

Immunization

Health check-up and

Referral services

The last three services are related to health and are provided by
Ministry/Department of Health and Family Welfare through NRHM & Health system.
The perception of providing a package of services is based primarily on the
consideration that the overall impact will be much larger if the different services
develop in an integrated manner as the efficacy of a particular service depends
upon the support it receives from the related services.

For better governance in the delivery of the Scheme, convergence is,

therefore, one of the key features of the ICDS Scheme. This convergence is in-built
in the Scheme which provides a platform in the form of Anganwadi Centres for
providing all services under the Scheme.

The delivery of services to the beneficiaries is as follows:

Services Target Group Service provided by

Children below 6 years,

(i) Supplementary Nutrition Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi Helper [MWCD]
Pregnant & Lactating Mothers
(P&LM)

Children below 6 years,

Pregnant & Lactating Mothers ANM/MO

(ii) Immunization*
(P&LM) [Health system, MHFW]

Children below 6 years,

ANM/MO/AWW
Pregnant & Lactating Mothers
(iii) Health Check-up* [Health system, MHFW]
(P&LM)

Children below 6 years,

Pregnant & Lactating Mothers AWW/ANM/MO

(iv) Referral Services
(P&LM) [Health system, MHFW]

AWW
(v) Pre-School Education Children 3-6 years
[MWCD]

(vi) Nutrition & Health Women (15-45 years) AWW/ANM/MO

Education
 [Health system, MHFW & MWCD]

* AWW assists ANM in identifying the target group.

Funding Pattern
Prior to 2005-06, providing of supplementary nutrition was the responsibility of
the States and administrative cost was provided by the Government of India as
100% central assistance. The nutrition costs were meagre and coverage of the
programme in all villages/habitations was also limited and not universal. Since
many States were not providing adequate supplementary nutrition in view of
resource constraints, it was decided in 2005-06 to support the States/UTs up to 50%
of the financial norms or to support 50% of expenditure incurred by them on
supplementary nutrition, whichever is less. Since 2009-10, Government of India has
modified the sharing pattern of the ICDS Scheme between the Centre and States.
The sharing pattern of supplementary nutrition in respect of North-Eastern States
between Centre and States has been changed from 50:50 to 90:10 ratios. In respect
of other States/UTs, the existing sharing pattern in respect of supplementary
nutrition is 50:50. The existing cost sharing ratio for other components is 90:10
except the new components approved under Strengthening & Restructuring for
which it is 75:25 (90:10 for NER).
Population Norms for Setting up of AWCs/Mini-AWCs

The revised population norms for setting up of AWCs and Mini-AWCs are as under:
Population Norms under ICDS
For AWCs in Rural/Urban Projects
1 AWc

2 AWCs

3 AWCs

Thereafter in multiples of 800 1 AWC

For Mini-AWC
1 Mini-AWC

For Tribal/Riverine/Desert, Hilly and other difficult areas/ Projects

1 AWC

For Mini-AWC
150-300 1 Mini-AWC
Anganwadi on Demand (AOD)
Where a settlement has at least 40 children under 6 years of age but no AWC

Revised Nutrition and Feeding Norms under Supplemtary Nutrition Component of ICDS (revised w.e.f 24
February 2009)

Provision of supplementary nutrition under the ICDS Scheme is primarily made to bridge the gap between
the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and the Average Daily Intake (ADI) of children and pregnant and
lactating women. Under the revised Nutritional and Feeding norms which have been made effective from February
2009, State Governments/UTs have been requested to provide 300 days of supplementary food to the beneficiaries
in a year which would entail giving more than one meal to the children from 3-6 years who visit AWCs. This includes
morning snacks in the form of milk/banana/egg/seasonal fruits/micro-nutrient fortified food followed by a hot cooked
meal (HCM). For children below 3 years of age, pregnant and lactating mothers, Take Home Rations (THRs) in the
form of pre-mixes/ready-to-eat food are provided. Besides, for severely underweight children in the age group of 6
months to 6 years, additional food items in the form of micronutrient fortified food and/or energy dense food as THR
is provided. These norms have also been endorsed by the Supreme Court in order dated 22.04.2009. The extent of
nutritional supplements to different types of beneficiaries is indicated below:
 Revised Nutritional Norms in ICDS (since February, 2009)

Beneficiaries Calories Protein (g)

Children
500 12-15
(6 months to 72 months)

Severely malnourished Children (SAM)

800 20-25
(6 months- 72 months)

Pregnant women and lactating mothers 600 18-20

Registration of Beneficiaries

All children below 6 years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers are eligible for availing of services
under the ICDS Scheme. BPL is not a criterion for registration of beneficiaries under ICDS. The Scheme is universal
for all categories of beneficiaries and in coverage.

Expansion of ICDS

Launched in 1975 in 33 Blocks (Projects) with 4891 AWCs.

Gradually expanded to 5652 Projects with nearly 6 lakh AWCs by the end of 9th Plan.

Cureently 7076 Projects and 14 lakh AWCs have been apporved. This includes a provision of 20,000
AWCs 'on demand'.

All 14 lakh AWCs have been sanctioned to the States/UTs

As on 31.03.2015 13.46 lakh AWCs are Operational.

Revised Financial Norms (w.e.f 22.10.2012)

Financial Norms of Supplementary Nutrition were revised w.e.f. 22.10.2012 to be rolled out in phased manner
under the Restructured ICDS.
Revised Financial Norms for Supplementary Nutrition under ICDS.

Existing norms per Revised cost Norms per beneficiary per day
Category
beneficiary (as per phased roll-out)

Children (6 months to 72 months) Rs. 4.00 Rs. 6.00

Severely malnourished Children (6

Rs. 6.00 Rs. 9.00
months- 72 months)

Pregnant women and lactating

Rs. 5.00 Rs. 7.00
mothers

The revised rates followed the roll out of restructured ICDS in a phased manner ie. 200 high burden districts in
2012-13, 200 districts in 2013-14 and remaining districts in 2014-15.

Financial progress during the XI and XII Plan Period

With wider spread of the Scheme, Plan Allocation, which stood at Rs. 44,400 crore for the Eleventh Plan has
been increased to Rs.1,03,003 crores for the Twelfth Plan. For the 3rd year of the Twelfth Plan i.e. for 2014-15, an
amount of Rs.16581.82 crores has been released to States/UTs as on 31.03.2015 against Originally Budget
allocation (BE) of Rs.18195.00 crore. However, the allocation for ICDS at Revised Estimate (RE) stage has been
pegged at Rs.16312.00 crores. Thus, the utilization as on 31.03.2015 under ICDS against RE is 100.12. This
includes an amount of Rs. 9869.91 crore for ICDS (General & Training) and Rs. 6711.91 crore for Supplementary
Nutrition component under ICDS Scheme released during 2014-15. An amount of Rs.5001.73 crore has been
released to various States/UTs during 2015-16 as on 31.07.2015.

Budget Allocation and Expenditure under ICDS Scheme during the Eleventh Plan and the first 2 years of the
XII Plan.

Budget Allocation Budget Allocation Expenditur

Sl.No Year Percentage w.r.t RE
(BE) (RE) e

(Rs. in Crores)

1 2007-08 5293.00 5396.30 5257.09 97.42%

2 2008-09 6300.00 6300.00 6379.36 101.25%

3 2009-10 6705.00 8162.00 8157.76 99.94%

4 2010-11 8700.00 9280.00 9763.11 105.20%

5 2011-12 10,000.00 14048.40 14272.21 101.59%

6 2012-13 15,850.00 15.850.00 15701.50 99.06%

7 2013-14 17,700.00 16,312.00 16267.49 99.73%

8 2014-15 18,195.00 16561.00 *16581.82 100.12%

2015-16 (as on
9 8335.77 -- 5001.73 60%
31.07.2015)

* This includes savings from other scheme during the year

Approval of Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS in the 12th Five Year Plan

In order to address various programmatic, management and institutional gaps and to meet administrative and
operational challenges, Government has approved the Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS Scheme with an
allocation of Rs. 1,23,580 crore during 12th Five Year Plan. Administrative approval in this regard was issued to the
States/UTs on 22 October 2012.
Restructured and Strengthened ICDS has been rolled out in 200 high burden districts in the first year (2012-13);
in additional 200 districts in second year (2013-14) (i.e. w.e.f. 1.4.2013) including districts from special category
States and NER; and in remaining districts in third year (2014-15) (i.e. w.e.f. 1.4.2014).

Key features of Strengthened and Restructured ICDS, inter-alia, include addressing the gaps and challenges with :

Programmatic Reforms

Repositioning the AWC as a vibrant ECD centre to become the first village outpost for health, nutrition
and early learning minimum of six hours of working, etc.

Construction of AWC Building and revision of rent including up-gradation, maintenance, improvement and
repair.

Strengthening Package of Services strengthening ECCE, focus on under-3s, Care and Nutrition
Counselling service for mothers of under-3s and Management of severe and moderate underweight.
 Improving Supplementary Nutrition Programme with revision of cost norms

Management of severe and moderate underweight identification and management of severe and
moderate underweight through community based interventions, Sneha Shivirs, etc.

Strengthening training and capacity as well as technical human resource, etc.

B. Management Reforms

Decentralized planning, management and flexible architecture introduction of Annual Programme of

Implementation Plan (APIP) and flexibility to States for innovations.

Ensuring convergence at all the levels including the grassroot level.

Strengthening governance including PRIs, Civil Society & institutional partnerships with norm of up to
10% projects to be implemented in collaboration with such agencies.

Strengthening of ICDS Management Information System (MIS).

Using Information, Communication Technology (ICT) web enabled MIS and use of mobile telephoney and
others.

Deploying adequate human and Financial Resources with revision of some of the existing norms in
components, training, etc. introducing new items, pool of untied/flexi fund (for promoting voluntay action,
local innovations, Anganwadi-cum-creche, addl worker and link worker, provision for children in special
needs etc)

C. Institutional Reforms

ICDS in Mission Mode with missions at National, State and District levels.

Introducing APIPs and MoUs with States/UTs.

Technical and management support for ICDS at various levels hitherto not available.

Delivery of quality services with measured inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes.

Mission to report to the Prime Ministers Council at National leveland to the CMs council at the State level
on Nutrition, Child Development including early learning, etc. State Child Development Society will be set
up at the State level with powers to set up its District Units. Fund transfer of the ICDS Mission will be
channeled through the Consolidated Fund of the State. However, in the event the State fails to transfer the
funds within 15 days, it will be liable to pay interest on the amount on the pattern of releases for the
Finance Commission funds;

Nutrition Counsellor cum Additional Worker in 200 high burden districts and link workers in others district
will be on demand by State Government approved through APIPs by EPC.

District Mission Unit would be set up as per the phasing plan of the ICDS Mission. Besides, District ICDS
Cells to continue to operate as per existing norms and District Cells to be set up in those districts where the
Cell is not existing;
 Constitution of a Mission Steering Group (NMSG) and Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) at
National and State levels for effective planning, implementation, monitoring and supervision of ICDS
Mission;

Creation of a separate ICDS Mission Budget head to allow flexibility and integration within the child
development and nutrition sectors and for convergent action with wider determinants of maternal and child
under-nutrition.

The ICDS Mission targets would be to attain three main outcomes namely; i) Prevent and reduce young
child under-nutrition (% underweight children 0-3 years) by 10 percentage point; (ii) Enhance early
development and learning outcomes in all children 0-6 years of age; and (iii) Improve care and nutrition of
girls and women and reduce anaemia prevalence in young children, girls and women by one fifth. Annual
Health Survey (AHS) and District Level Household Survey (DLHS) to be used as baseline for measuring
the outcomes of ICDS mission.

To strengthen training and capacity building.

Revision of rent for AWC building up to Rs.750, Rs.3000 and Rs.5000 per month per unit for Rural/Tribal,
Urban and Metropolitan cities respectively, revised norms for pre-school education (PSE) kits @ Rs.3000
per AWC p.a and Rs.1500 per mini-AWC p.a.; revised cost norms for two uniforms @ Rs.300 each per
annum per worker subject to overall budgetary allocations and piloting of Crche services in 5% of the
AWCs.

THE ICDS TEAM:

The ICDS team comprises the Anganwadi Workers, Anganwadi Helpers, Supervisors, Child Development
Project Officers (CDPOs) and District Programme Officers (DPOs). Anganwadi Worker, a lady selected from the
local community, is a community based frontline honorary worker of the ICDS Programme . She is also an agent of
social change, mobilizing community support for better care of young children, girls and women. Besides, the
medical officers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) form a team with the
ICDS functionaries to achieve convergence of different services.

Role & responsibilities of AWW, ANM and ASHA:

Role and responsibilities of AWW, ANM & ASHA have been clearly delineated and circulated to States/UTs
under the joint signature of Secretary, MWCD and Secretary, MHFW, vide D.O. No. R. 14011/9/2005-NRHM I (Pt)
dated 20 January 2006.

STATUS of ANGANWADI WORKERS AND HELPERS:

Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) & Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), being honorary workers, are paid a monthly honoraria
as decided by the Government from time to time.
In addition to the honoraria paid by the Government of India, many States/UTs are also giving monetary
incentives to these workers out of their own resources for additional functions assigned under other Schemes.

FACILITIES/ BENEITS EXTENDED TO AWWs & AWHs:-

By the Govt. of India

Honorarium: At the beginning of the Scheme in 1975, the Anganwadi Worker was paid honorarium of
Rs.100/- per month (Non-Matriculate) and Rs.150/- per month (Matriculate) and Helper was paid Rs.35/-
per month. Govt. has increased their honorarium from time to time, as indicated below:
Qualification/ Year 1975-76 1.4.78 1.7.86 2.10.92 16.5.97 1.4.02 1.4.08 1.4.11

Non-Matriculate 100 125 225 350 438 938 1438 2938

Matriculate 150 175 275 400 500 1000 1500 3000

Non-Matriculate
- - 250 375 469 969 1469 2969
With 5 year exp

Matriculate
- - 300 425 531 1031 1531 3031
With 5 year exp

Non-Matriculate
- - 275 400 500 1000 1500 3000
With 10 year exp

Matriculate
- - 325 450 563 1063 1563 3063
With 10 year exp

1500
Mini-Anganwadi 500 (w.e.f.
- - - - - 750
Workers 1.1.2007)
2250 w.e.f 4.7.13

Honorarium of Helper:

Helper 35 50 110 200 260 500 750 1500

Leave: Paid absence of 180 days of maternity leave.

Insurance cover: Govt. of India introduced `Anganwadi Karyakartri Bima Yojana to Anganwadi
Workers/Anganwadi Helpers w.e.f.1.4.2004 under Life Insurance Corporations Social Security Scheme.
The amount of premium of Rs. 80/- payable by AWWs and AWHs has also been waived of w.e.f. 1.4.2007
to 31.3.2017.
Under this Bima Yojana, a free add on scholarship is available for the children of the members who
are covered under the scheme. Scholarship of Rs.300/- per quarter for students of 9th to 12th standard
[including ITI courses] would be provided. Scholarship is limited to two children per family.

Award: In order to motivate the Anganwadi Workers and give recognition to good voluntary work, a
 Scheme of Award for Anganwadi Workers has been introduced, both at the National and State Level. The
Award comprises Rs.25,000/- cash and a Citation at Central level and Rs.5000/- cash and a Citation at
State level.

Selection process for conferment of Awards to Anganwadi Workers for the years 2011-12, 2012-13
& 2013-14 have been completed. The Award conferment function is schedules to be held on 10.11.2015 at Vigyan
Bhawan, New Delhi.

Uniform: Government has made a provision for a Uniform (saree/suit @ Rs. 300/- per saree per
annum) and a name badge to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers;

By State Governments/ UT Administrations:-

To recruit at least 25% of Supervisors under ICDS Scheme from AWWs with 10 years experience of
satisfactory service;

To Engage 25% of AWWs from amongst the Anganwadi Helpers who have put in minimum 10 years of
satisfactory service and also possess the requisite qualifications (age, education etc.) as laid down by the
concerned States for selection of AWWs.

To set up Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Welfare Fund at the State/UT level out of the contribution from
Workers/Helpers and State/ UT Governments;

To set up Grievances Redressal Machinery at the State/UT and Districts level for prompt redressal of their
grievances.

Existing Monitoring System under ICDS Scheme:

Monitoring Mechanism

Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has the overall responsibility of monitoring the ICDS
Scheme. There exists a Central Level ICDS Monitoring Unit in the Ministry which is responsible for collection and
analysis of the periodic work reports received from the States in the prescribed formats. Records and registers at
AWC level and monthly/ half yearly progress reports at Block and Anganwadi levels have been prescribed. States/
UTs are required to compile the information and send the State level consolidated reports to MWCD on number of
operational projects, AWCs, number of beneficiaries of supplementary nutrition and pre-school education and
nutritional status of children. The information received in the prescribed formats is compiled, processed and
analysed at the Central level on quarterly basis. The progress and shortfalls indicated in the reports on ICDS are
reviewed by the Ministry with the State Governments regularly by review meetings and field visits.

Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP)

Under the Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP), food grains viz., wheat, rice and other coarse grains
are allocated at Below Poverty Line (BPL) rates to the States/UTs through the Department of Food & Public
Distribution (D/o Food & Public Distribution), for preparation of supplementary food in ICDS. The Ministry is
responsible for processing and approval of the proposals from the States/UTs for allocation of food grains in
coordination with the D/o F& PD. During 2014-15, allocation of 9,70,653 MTs of wheat; 7,10,406 MTs of rice and
12,075 MTs of maize was made to 31 States/UTs. An allocation of 4,74,782 MTs of Wheat, 4,40,534 MTs of Rice,
11,036 MTs of Maize and 9418 MTs of Ragi has been made to 30 States/UTs for the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2015-16.
Supplementary Nutrition (under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme) Rules, 2015 under
NFSA, 2013

National Food Security Act (NFSA) was promulgated by the Government of India vide Gazette Notification
dated 10.09.2013. In view of this, Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP), which is one of six services under
ICDS has been made as an entitlement under the NFSA. Sections 4,5,6 & 7 of the NFSA pertain to ICDS and
IGMSY schemes of the Ministry. As per clause 22 (3) of the said Act, the Central Government shall provide
foodgrains in respect of the entitlements, under Section 4,5 & 6 to the State Governments, at prices specified in
Schedule I of the Act.

Section 39 of the NFSA provides that the Central Government may in consultation with the State Governments
and by notification make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. Accordingly, the Supplementary Nutrition (under
the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme) Rules, 2015 were notified in the Gazette of India on
01.06.2015 in consultation with State Governments and other stake holders.

Welfare Measures for the AWWs and AWHs

Enhanced Honoraria

Honorarium of AWWs has been enhanced by Rs.1500/- per month on the last honorarium drawn by them and
that of AWHs and AWWs of Mini-Anganwadi Centres by Rs. 750/- per month on the last honorarium drawn by them
with effect from 1st April, 2011. The honorarium to AWWs of Mini-AWCs is further enhanced by Rs. 750/- per month,
on the last honorarium drawn by them w.e.f. 04.07.2013.

Anganwadi Karyakartri Bima Yojana (AKBY)

The ICDS Scheme envisages Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) as honorary
workers who are paid a monthly honorarium. AKBY under the LICs Social Security Scheme is one of the welfare
measures extended to the grassroots functionaries of the ICDS Scheme. The Government of India has introduced
the Anganwadi Karyakatri Bima Yojana with effect from 1.4.2004. The premium under the scheme is Rs. 280/- per
annum per member out of which Rs.100/- is paid by LIC from Social Security Fund, Rs.100/- by the Government of
India and Rs. 80/- by the Anganwadi Worker/Helper (insured member). The premium of Rs. 80/- payable by these
workers have been waived off until 31.3.2017. The salient features of this Bima Yojana are as under:-

Natural death Rs. 30,000

Accidental benefit Death/ Total permanent disability Rs. 75,000

Partial permanent disability Rs. 37,500

Female Critical Illness (FCI) Benefits

An amount of Rs. 20,000/- is payable on the diagnosis of invasive cancers (malignant tumour) manifest in the
organs (i) Breast, (ii)Cervix Uteri, (iii) Corpus Uteri, (iv) Ovaries, (v) Fallopian Tubes, (vi) Vina/Vulva (subject to proof
of affliction satisfactory to Corporation). A malignant tumour characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of
malignant cells and invasion of tissue that originates in one of the above anatomical sites is covered under the
Scheme.
Shiksha Sahayog through Anganwadi Karyakartri Bima Yojana(AKBY-LIC)

A free add-on scholarship benefit is available for the children of Anganwadi Workers covered under the AKBY
Scheme. Scholarship of Rs. 300/- per quarter for students in 9th to 12th standard (including ITI courses) is provided.
Scholarship is limited to two children per family. With the waiver of Rs. 80/- as premium payable towards critical
illness by the Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers (AWHs) w.e.f. 1.4.2007, all AWWs and AWHs are covered
for all the benefits under the Scheme. During the financial year 2015-16 (upto 31.06.2015), the following number of
claims were settled and scholarships paid by LIC:

Critical illness claim settled Scholarships settled up

Natural Accidental
up to 31.06.2015 to 31.06.2015

Intimate Settle Amount Intimate Settle Amount Amount Amount

Number Number
d d Disbursed d d Disbursed Disbursed Disbursed

212 212 6360000 8 8 600000 0 0 29712 18591600

AWC Infrastructure

It is necessary that AWC is consolidated as the first village/ habitation post for health, nutrition and early
learning centre or platform on which the two new Schemes of SABLA and IGMSY are also implemented. Till
Restructured ICDS was approved in 12th Plan, ICDS Scheme did not have provision for construction of AWC
buildings except in the North Eastern (NE) states. As part of Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS Scheme,
Government of India has approved provision for construction of 2 lakh AWC buildings @ Rs. 4.50 lakh per AWC
building during the XII Plan period in a phased manner with cost sharing ratio of 75:25 between Centre and States
other than the NE States, where it will be at the existing ratio of 90:10.
As per the information available as on 31 March 2015 from 12.15 lakh AWCs/ mini-AWCs, about 81.19 %
AWCs are running from the pucca buildings and remaining 18.81% from kutcha buildings; 30.62% running from
Government owned buildings; 21.62% running from school premises; 4.54% running from Panchayat buildings;
32.56% running from rented including 5.90% from AWWs/ AWHs house; 9.79% running from others; 0.87% running
from open space. 65.91% AWCs are having drinking water facilities within the premises and 50.01% AWCs have
toilet facilities.

Convergence with other programmes: States/UTs have been requested to tap the funds for construction of
AWC buildings from various schemes such as MPLADs, MLALADS, BRGF, RIDF, Panchayati Raj Institutions,
MGNREGA and Tribal Affairs, Multi-Sectoral Development Programme of Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), under
SSA, Finance Commission, Additional Central Assistance under State Plan, Integrated Action Plan for Left Wing
Extremism (LWE) districts, etc. Construction of AWC buildings has also been included in the list of permissible works
in Schedule-I under MGNREGA, 2005 vide notification dated 22.11.2012.

Grant in aid for construction of AWC Building under restructured ICDS: Under restructured ICDS
Scheme, Grant-in-aid at the rate of Rs. 4.5 lakhs per AWC Building construction in the cost sharing ratio of 75:25
between the Centre and States has also been allowed from the year 2013-14 and first instalment of Rs. 723.59
crore has been released for construction of 44,709 AWC Buildings in 2013-14. During 2014-15, Funds for AWCs
construction in the States of Chhatisgarh (3504.00 lakh), Madhya Pradesh (6422.81 lakhs), Tamilnadu (Rs. 3788.82
lakhs), Arunachal Pradesh (Rs. 1570.13 lakhs), Goa (Rs.13.50 lakhs), Rajasthan (3278.82 lakhs) and Uttarakhand
(Rs. 128.68 lakhs) were released.
APIP approved 42156 AWC buildings for up-gradation during the previous financial year 2014-15 in the cost
sharing ratio of 75:25. The first instalment of Rs.31613.25 lakhs has been released to States/UTs for upgradation of
Anganwadi Centre buildings.

Implementation of ICDS Scheme as per State Annual Programme Implementation Plan (APIP)
The Government of India has introduced development of Annual Programme Implementation Plans (APIPs)
in ICDS since 2011-12 in a prescribed format. The APIP mode of programme implementation in ICDS Scheme is
one of the key aspects of the recently approved strengthened and restructured ICDS Scheme for the 12th Plan
whose administrative approval has been issued to the States on 22nd October, 2012.

The States/UTs were also informed that from 2013-14, submission of the APIP by the States/UTs in the
prescribed format will be mandatory and the second as well as any subsequent installments of funds from GOI will
be released to the States/UTs only after approval of the APIP, according to the demand justified in the APIP.

APIPs from 30 States/UTs have been received during 2015-16. The Administrative approval will be issued
after holding a meeting with the States/UTs.

Cooperation with Development Partners

Several international agencies/development partners including UNICEF provide technical assistance to ICDS
programme both at the central and State level. Some of them are given below:

GoI-UNICEF Programme of Cooperation

The partnership between UNICEF and the Government of India (GoI) spans over more than 60 years. UNICEF
has continued its support to government in enhancing systems and improving delivery of services to women and
children especially from the vulnerable and marginalized sections. The Basic Agreement that provides basis of the
relationship between the GoI and UNICEF dates from 10 May 1949 and was amended on 5 April 1978. Over the last
65 years, a succession of Country Programmes has been implemented in conformity with the Basic Agreement.
Currently the Govt. of India collaborates with UNICEF based on an agreed five year Country Programme Action
Plans (CPAP). The current CPAP 2013-17 was signed between the Ministry of Women and Child Development and
UNICEF on 21 January 2013 with an estimated budget US$ 750 million.

Besides UNICEF, following Development Partners also support the ICDS Scheme:

DFID (Department for International Development, Govt. of United Kingdom): Provides technical assistance
to ICDS in three States (Odisha, MP and Bihar) and also at the central level to support restructured ICDS.
Delloite India is supporting DFID as Technical Support Agency (TSA) by providing field level technical
assistance.

WFP (World Food Programme): Provides technical assistance to the Ministry at the central level and also
provides technical support in ICDS implementation.

CARE India: Supporting the Ministry in strengthening ICDS MIS.

SNEHA SHIVIR:

Government has initiated the roll out of a Community based care programme for undernourished children
under 6 years across the country through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. Restructured
and strengthened ICDS scheme comprises a number of new components. One of these components is Sneha
Shivir which is designed to be a community based approach for the prevention and management of moderate and
severe under nutrition. Sneha Shivir has been introduced in 200 high burden districts of the country and is to be
served through an Additional Anganwadi Worker/Nutrition Counsellor at the Anganwadi Centre.

During the SNEHA SHIVIRs the Anganwadi workers with the help of community volunteers, mothers groups
and SHGs facilitate a-learning-by doing technique for mothers and caregivers of moderate and severe underweight
children. Nutrition Counselling and Child Care sessions organized at cluster level helps caregivers and mothers
practice new cooking, feeding, hygiene, health and caring behaviors shown to be successful for rehabilitating
underweight children. The selected practices would come from both public health accepted behaviors and from the
positive practices seen in the homes of healthy children living in the same milieu and belong to similar socio
economic group. The SNEHA SHIVIRs promotes behavior change and empowers caregivers to take responsibility
for nutritional rehabilitation of their children using local knowledge and resources and peer learning at 12 day
sessions followed by 18 days home based practices.

During the 12 days, children are fed additional high calorie local foods, provided underICDS and from
contribution of care givers and community. During 12 days, children regain appetite and visible changes are seen as
also indicated by gain in weight, a gain of 200-400 gms is expected. The 12 day session is followed by 18 day home
based care during which the practices learnt at the sessions are followed at home. During these 18 days Anganwadi
workers closely monitor these children through home visits, a further weight gain is expected if the practices are
followed. During this process of rehabilitation the mothers imbibe the practices thoroughly so that they can sustain
the rehabilitation and prevent undernutrition in other siblings. There is also a ripple effect which leads to an
improvement in care practices in other families.

Key interventions of SNEHA SHIVIRs organized during the 12 day session would largely include

Selection of moderate and severe undernourished children (preferably not more than 15 per AWC / cluster)

Orientation of mothers and caregivers of selected children

Weight monitoring of the selected children

Deworming of these children

Ensure IFA and complete immunization for these children

12 day hands-on practice sessions for mothers and care givers to promote improved feeding and child care
practices.

Recording of weight on first day, 12th day and after 18 days

Theme based education using IEC on feeding, health, hygiene and psychosocial care on each of the 12
days, using mother child protection card package.
Health check-up and referral services.

18 days home based practices.

Repeat of session for each child till child becomes normal.

Monitoring progress child-wise, AWC-wise as well as at the block and district levels.
The session requires the support of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare the ANM / doctor under the NHM carries
out health checkup of all the underweight children enrolled for Sneha Shivirs., the ANM or a doctor assigned by the
NHM decides on type of referral or treatment facilities required as well as linking the child to the appropriate health
care / facility based treatment.

INTRODUCTION OF WHO GROWTH STANDARDS IN ICDS

The World Health Organization (WHO) based on the results of an intensive study initiated in 1997 in six
countries including India has developed new International Standards for assessing the physical growth, nutritional
status and motor development of children from birth to 5 years age. The Ministry of Women and Child Development
and Ministry of Health have adopted the New WHO Child Growth Standard in India on 15th of August, 2008 for
monitoring the Growth of Children through ICDS and NRHM.

A common Mother & Child Protection Card (MCPC) to be used under both ICDS & NRHM programme has
been sent to all States/UTs with a letter under joint signatures of both the Secretaries of WCD & Health. It is
currently under roll out by the States/UTs.

Implications

(i) - Change in current estimates

- increase in total of normal weight children

- increase in severely underweight children

- increase in underweight children (mild/moderate and severe)

in age group of 0-6 months.

The requirement of funds for SNP; Centre and State contribution would be almost double.

The Anganwadi Worker with the help of New Growth Chart would be able to assess correctly severely
underweight children and number of such children would increase in each Anganwadi Centres. The number
of normal children would also increase in all the Anganwadi Centres.

The new charts would now help us in comparing growth of our children within projects, districts, states &
also other countries.

According to the recent review under the Secretary, WCD, and the information provided by the States , the
new WHO Growth Chart has been implemented in 6666 ICDS Projects and 12,71,889 Anganwadis.

The joint MCPC card has been completed in 6621 Projects and 10,12,153 Anganwadi centres. The States
have been impressed upon to ensure compliance of the roll out of New WHO Growth Chart & MCPC card.

Coverage under ICDS

There has been significant progress in the implementation of ICDS Scheme during X Plan, XI Plan and XII Plan
both, in terms of increase in number of operational projects and Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) and coverage of
beneficiaries as indicated below:-

Year RFD No. of RFD No. of No. of Supplementary nutrition No. of pre-school
target operation Target operational beneficiaries [Children (6 months education
al projects AWCs to 6 years) & P&LM] beneficiaries
[Children (3-6
years)]

Achievement
134.25 lakh
during X 1221 299029 330.33 lakh (88.06%)
(80.60%)
Plan

2008-09 6120 1044269 873.43 lakh 340.60 lakh

11.50
2009-10 6500 6509 1142029 884.34 lakh 354.93 lakh
lakhs

12.80
2010-11 7000 6722 1262267 959.47 lakh 366.23 lakh
lakhs

13.10
2011-12 6900 6908 1304611 972.49 lakh 358.22 lakh
lakhs

Achievement
57.41 lakh
during XI 1079 459868 267.06 lakh (37.85%)
(19.08%)
Plan

2012-13 7018 7025 1344498 1338732 956.12 lakh 353.29 lakh

2013-14 7045 7067 1352078 1342146 1045.09 lakh 370.71 lakh

13000
2014-15 7075* 7072 1346186 1022.33 lakh 365.44 lakh
new

2015-16 7075 NA 1400000 NA NA NA

 *

Note: States/ UTs are required to provide Supplementary Nutrition to all eligible children (6 months to 6
years) and pregnant women & lactating mothers and pre-school education to all the eligible children (3-6
years), hence no targets are set.

* Sanctioned by GOI. NA: Not available

4.59 lakh new AWCs/mini-AWCs became operational during XI Plan as compared to 2.99 lakh AWCs/ mini-
AWCs during X Plan. The number of operational AWCs/ mini-AWCs increased from 13,04,611 in March
2012 to 13,46,186 in March 2015.

Number of beneficiaries [Children (6 months to 6 years) and pregnant & lactating mothers] for
supplementary nutrition increased from 705.43 lakh at the end of X Plan to 972.49 lakh at the end of XI
Plan meaning thereby an increase of 37.85% and further increased to 1022.33 lakh in March 2015.

Number of beneficiaries [Children (3-6 years)] for pre-school education increased from 300.81 lakh at the
end of X Plan to 358.22 lakh at the end of XI meaning thereby an increase of 19.09% and further increased
to 365.44 lakh in March 2015

As on 31st March 2015, 7072 projects and 13,46,186 AWCs are operational across 36 States/UTs, covering
1022.33 lakh beneficiaries under supplementary nutrition and 365.44 lakh 3-6 years children under pre-school
component.