title: INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (ICDS) SCHEME.
abstract: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme is world's largest community based programme. The scheme is targeted at children upto the age of 6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers and women 16-44 years of age. The scheme is aimed to improve the health, nutrition and education (KAP) of the target community. Launched on 2 October 1975, the scheme has completed 25 years of its operational age. The article describes in brief, the organisation, achievements and drawbacks of this national programme. It also suggests various thrust areas for its betterment and further improvement.
authors.affiliation: National Coordinator (Survey, Evaluation and Research), Central Technical Committee-ICDS, New Delhi.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sachdev
authors.affiliation: Consultant, (Survey, Evaluation and Research), Central Technical Committee-ICDS, New Delhi.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
keywords: Complementary Nutrition (CN); Knowledge, Attitude, Practice (KAP); Low Birth Weight (LBW)