Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

In News 

The Maharashtra government has developed a website-based migration tracking system (MTS) application to map the movement of vulnerable seasonal migrant workers through individual unique identity numbers. 

• It will maintain the continuity of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

About ICDS

• It was launched on 2nd October, 1975 (5th Five year Plan) in pursuance of the National Policy for Children in 33 experimental blocks.
  • Now the goal is to universalize ICDS throughout the country.
• The primary responsibility for the implementation of the programme is with the Department of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resources Development at the Centre and the nodal departments at the state which may be Social Welfare, Rural Development, Tribal Welfare, Health and Family Welfare or Women and Child Development.
• Beneficiaries:

• Children below 6 years
• Pregnant and lactating women
• Women in the age group of 15-44 years
• Adolescent girls in selected blocks

• Objectives:

• Improve the nutrition and health status of children in the age group of 0-6 years
• Lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child
• Effective coordination and implementation of policy among the various departments
• Enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutrition needs through proper nutrition and health education.

Source:IE