Women and Child Development Schemes and Programmes
ICDS architecture
Integrated Child Development Services began in 1975 and was universalised in 2006. Six services: supplementary nutrition, non-formal pre-school education, immunisation, health check-up, referral services, and nutrition and health education, delivered through convergence. An Anganwadi Centre covers a population of about 400–800 and is staffed by an Anganwadi Worker, an Anganwadi Helper and, where sanctioned, a Mini AWW. The Mukhya Sevika supervises a cluster of AWCs and reports to the CDPO at block level.
Umbrella schemes
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (2022) consolidates ICDS, Poshan Abhiyaan and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls. Poshan Abhiyaan was launched in 2018 from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, targeting stunting, undernutrition, anaemia and low birth weight, with the POSHAN Tracker for real-time monitoring; Poshan Maah is observed in September and Poshan Pakhwada in March. PMMVY gives ₹5,000 for the first living child in two instalments and ₹6,000 for a second child if a girl, excluding women receiving paid maternity leave. Mission Shakti (2021) has Sambal (One Stop Centres, 181 helpline, women helpline) and Samarthya (PMMVY, Palna crèches, KGBV) components. Mission Vatsalya covers children; Childline is 1098 and ERSS is 112.
Worked example
A mother expecting her first living child asks about PMMVY. Reasoning: check first living child, no paid maternity leave benefit, Aadhaar and bank account, and registration of pregnancy at the AWC or health facility; then ₹3,000 follows registration and ₹2,000 after birth and immunisation.
Traps
Calling ICDS a Health Ministry programme; mixing Sambal and Samarthya components; assuming PMMVY is universal.