Integrated Child Development Services: Chandigarh

Description
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 world’s largest and unique programmes for early childhood care and development. It is the foremost symbol of country’s 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. To reduce mortality morbidity and malnutrition among the children in U.T of Chandigarh, the ICDS project was started on 1.8.1979 with 24 anganwadi centres. At present there are 3 ICDS Projects comprising of 450 anganwadi centres covering an approx. population of over 5.50 lac in peripheral areas, villages, colonies, and slum areas.

Exclusions
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Benefits
• Supplementary Nutrition
• Immunization
• Health Check-up
• Referral Services
• Pre-School Education
• Nutrition & Health Education
• Three of the six services viz. immunization, health check-up and referral services are related to health and are provided through National Health Mission and Public Health Infrastructure. The services are offered at Anganwadi Centers through Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHS) at grassroots level.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - Children in the age group of 0-6 years.
2. - Pregnant women.
3. - Lactating mothers.
4. - Women from age group 14-18 years of UT Chandigarh.
5. - The Scheme is universal for all categories of beneficiaries and in coverage.

Application Process
Step 1: The citizen need not apply to the scheme. Visit the nearest Anganwadi center.
Offline

The citizen need not apply to the scheme. Visit the nearest Anganwadi center.

Required Documents
• Aadhar Card

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the schemes under ICDS?
A: Supplementary Nutrition (SNP)
Health & Nutrition Check-Up
Immunization
Non-Formal Education for Children in Pre-School
Health and Nutrition Education
Referral services

Q: What are the objectives of ICDS scheme?
A: 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.

Q: Who will be the beneficiary of ICDS schemes?
A: Pregnant and lactating women.
Children under 6 years of age.