Anganwadi Centers are the backbone of India’s rural child development and health care system. They operate under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme — one of the world’s largest and most unique community-based programs. Launched in 1975 by the Government of India, the ICDS scheme aims to provide early childhood care, nutrition, and health services to children under 6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.Today, Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) not only support the health and nutrition of rural populations but also serve as early education centers, offering pre-school education to children and linking families to government services.The Government of India launched the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in 1975 to combat malnutrition, health issues, and lack of early education among young children and mothers, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. At the heart of this initiative are Anganwadi Centers (AWCs), which act as community-based childcare and development centers for delivering essential health, nutrition, and educational services.
Anganwadi Centers serve as the first point of contact between the community and government welfare services. They play a vital role in the early development of children (0–6 years), while also supporting pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls with essential care and knowledge.
Key Highlights – ICDS & Anganwadi Centers
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) |
| Operational Unit | Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) |
| Launched | 2 October 1975 |
| Managed By | Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), Government of India |
| Target Beneficiaries | Children (0-6 years), pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls |
| Total AWCs (as of 2025) | Over 13.9 lakh |
| Coverage | All States & Union Territories |
| Services Provided | Nutrition, health check-ups, immunization, non-formal education |
Objectives of the ICDS Scheme
- Improve nutrition and health status of children under 6 years.
- Lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child.
- Reduce child mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout.
- Achieve effective coordination of policy and implementation among various departments.
- Enhance the capability of mothers to look after the health and nutritional needs of their children
What is an Anganwadi Center?
- An Anganwadi Center (AWC) is a government-supported child and mother care center established at the village level under the ICDS scheme.
- Each AWC is managed by:
- An Anganwadi Worker (AWW) – acts as the key service provider and community mobilizer.
- A Helper (Sahayika) – assists the worker in daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and childcare.
Who Benefits from Anganwadi Centers?
- Children (0–6 years) – for health, nutrition, and preschool education
- Pregnant Women – for antenatal care and counseling
- Lactating Mothers – for nutrition and postnatal care
- Adolescent Girls (11–18 years) – in some states, they receive nutrition and life skills education
Services Provided by Anganwadi Centers
The ICDS scheme through AWCs delivers the following six essential services:
1. Supplementary Nutrition
Hot cooked meals and take-home rations
- Targets malnutrition and underweight issues
- Special nutrition for pregnant/lactating mothers
2. Pre-school Non-formal Education
- For children aged 3 to 6 years
- Focuses on basic concepts (alphabets, numbers, colors, social skills)
3. Nutrition & Health Education
- Conducted for women aged 15–45 years
- Focuses on breastfeeding, hygiene, nutrition, immunization
4. Immunization (in collaboration with MoHFW)
- DPT, Polio, BCG, Hepatitis B, Measles
- Conducted with support from ASHA workers and ANMs
5. Health Check-ups
- Growth monitoring of children
- Ante-natal and post-natal care
- Referrals to health centers
6. Referral Services
- Severe cases of malnutrition, disease or developmental delays are referred to PHCs/CHCs.
Role of Anganwadi Worker (AWW)
- Conduct daily child attendance and feeding
- Maintain growth monitoring charts
- Provide preschool teaching
- Conduct health awareness sessions
- Keep records and reports
- Participate in village health & nutrition days (VHND)
Monitoring and Supervision
- Supervisor (Child Development Project Officer – CDPO) oversees 25-30 AWCs.
- Monthly reports are submitted on:
- Nutrition coverage
- Immunization data
- Pre-school attendance
- Digital platforms like Poshan Tracker (mobile app) are used for real-time data.
POSHAN Abhiyaan Integration
- In 2018, the POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched to improve outcomes from Anganwadi services by:
- Using Poshan Tracker App
- Promoting community engagement
- Improving service delivery and accountability
- Conducting Community Based Events (CBEs)
Anganwadi Registration for Beneficiaries
For Pregnant Women or Children:
- Visit the nearest Anganwadi Center.
- Submit:
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card
- Mother & Child Protection Card (MCP)
- Address proof
- The Anganwadi worker will enroll the beneficiary.
Regular follow-ups and services will begin.
Recent Updates (As of 2025)
- Smart Anganwadi Projects underway for infrastructure improvement
- Integration with ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) curriculum
- Focus on First 1000 days of life for nutrition and health
- More states using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the minimum age of a child to join Anganwadi?
Children aged 0–6 years can receive different services. Preschool starts at age 3.
Q2: Are services at Anganwadi centers free?
Yes, all ICDS services at AWCs are completely free of cost.
Q3: How do I find my nearest Anganwadi center?
Visit the CDPO office, or check with your Panchayat/Gram Sevak. Some states have online portals to locate centers.
Q4: Can urban children benefit from Anganwadi services?
Yes, Urban ICDS projects are also in place in towns and slums.
Q5: Who funds Anganwadi Centers?
Jointly funded by Central and State Governments under the umbrella of Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Conclusion
Anganwadi Centers play a critical role in shaping the health and future of millions of Indian children and women. As grassroots institutions under the ICDS scheme, they offer nutrition, care, education, and health awareness in the most remote areas. The government’s continuous effort to digitize, modernize, and expand these centers is helping to build a strong foundation for rural development, especially in the health and education sectors.