The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is a centrally sponsored scheme run by the State Government/Union Territory through Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) .
It was launched on October 2, 1975, with only one urban (Khidirpur of Kolkata) and one rural (Manbazar of Purulia) project in West Bengal. At present, in West Bengal, 576 projects (423 – rural, 75 – urban, 78 – tribal projects) are operational.
The major objectives of the ICDS Scheme are to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group of 0-6 years, lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical, and social development of children, reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition, and school dropouts, coordinate policy and implementation among various departments to promote child development, and enhance the capacity of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education.
The scheme provides services in an integrated manner to children below the age of 6 years. Nursing and expectant mothers and other women of 14-45 years are also brought under this scheme, which aims at the welfare of the child