ICDS scheme UPSC: Relevance
- GS 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States
ICDS scheme: Context
- Recently, Maharashtra has developed a website-based Migration Tracking System (MTS) application to maintain the continuity of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
Migration Tracking System: Key points
- The application will map the movement of vulnerable seasonal migrant workers through individual unique identity numbers.
- The state government had launched the application as a pilot project in November 2021, in six districts with high tribal population.
- It will enhance the implementation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) nutrition supply, immunisation and health check-up etc. to migrant beneficiaries including children aged up to 18 years, lactating mothers and pregnant women registered with the anganwadi centres.
- Their migration will be tracked for ensuring the portability of the ICDS for their families in their destination districts within or outside the state until their return to their native places.
- Through this initiative, Maharashtra has sought to capture the data of intra-district, inter-districts and interstate migration of such workers.
What is ICDS scheme?
- Launched in 1975, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is a unique early childhood development programme, aimed at addressing malnutrition, health and also development needs of young children, pregnant and nursing mothers.
- it is one of the world’s largest programmes providing for an integrated package of services for the holistic development of the child.
- ICDS is a centrally sponsored scheme, and it is anchored by Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD).
- The funding pattern of this scheme is 90:10 for the NE States and Himalayan States, and 60:40 for other states.
- The scheme is universal covering all the districts of the country.
- The Scheme has been renamed as Anganwadi Services.
- ICDS consists of 4 different components, namely:
- Early Childhood Care Education & Development (ECCED)
- Care & Nutrition Counselling
- Health Services
- Community Mobilisation Awareness, Advocacy &Information, Education and Communication
Objectives of ICDS
- 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.
ICDS services
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
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