Not yet classifiedICDS
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
A government welfare program providing nutritional meals, preschool education, primary healthcare, and immunization to children under 6 and their mothers.
NOTICE
This service is free. We will never ask for payment. If anyone offers to apply on your behalf for a fee, they are not us.
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Official fee
₹0 — completely free
All core services under ICDS, including nutritional meals, immunization check-ups, and Anganwadi enrollment, are 100% free of charge.
Beware of lookalike portals
Verify all guidelines through official state WCD portals. Beware of private portals charging processing fees for Anganwadi registration or health checks.
Only the "Apply on official portal" button above leads to the verified government site.
Highlights and Media
Key Highlights
Supplementary Nutrition
Daily hot meals or take-home rations providing 500 kcal and 12-15g protein to children under 6.
Anganwadi Early Learning
Free non-formal pre-school education for children aged 3 to 6 to prepare them for school.
Immunization & Checkups
Health screening, growth monitoring, vaccines, and referral services delivered locally.
ICDS Services Focus Ratios
Core focus of child and maternal care package
Supplemental meals, hot cooked food, and nutrition counseling.
Early learning and school readiness activities at Anganwadi Centres.
Administering vaccines, growth charting, and medical checks.
Empowering mothers with infant care and hygiene counseling.
Direct referrals to Primary Health Centres for critical care cases.
Who is eligible
- Eligible family, community child care group, or Anganwadi operator.
Eligibility rules · v1 · effective 1 January 2020
Who is not eligible
- ICDS support programs target operational child care and community entities.
How to apply
Visit Local Anganwadi Centre
Locate and visit the Anganwadi Centre serving your neighborhood or village.
Typical duration · 1 day
Register Beneficiary Details
Register details of the pregnant mother, lactating mother, or child under 6 with the Anganwadi Worker (AWW).
Typical duration · 2 days
Receive Nutritional & Health Services
Access daily supplemental nutrition meals, health check-up cards, immunization schedules, and pre-school education slots.
Typical duration · 5 days
Sources
- Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of IndiaMINISTRY_PORTAL · Fetched 5 July 2026
Additional Details
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is a flagship community-based welfare program launched by the Government of India in 1975. The primary objective is to improve the nutritional and health status of children under six years of age, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers.
The scheme operates through a nationwide network of village-level Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). ICDS offers a package of six core services: (1) Supplementary Nutrition (providing daily hot meals or take-home rations to children and mothers), (2) Pre-school Non-formal Education (early learning activities for kids aged 3-6), (3) Nutrition & Health Education (counseling for women), (4) Immunization (delivered in coordination with local healthcare systems), (5) Health Check-ups, and (6) Referral Services.
The program is co-funded on a 60:40 basis between the Central Government and respective State Governments, ensuring localized, universal support to combat child malnutrition and mortality.