---
title: "Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) — Definition"
description: "Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is India's 1975 scheme providing nutrition and education to children under six and mothers."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/integrated-child-development-services"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Integrated Child Development Services is an Indian government scheme launched in 1975 that delivers nutrition, health, and pre-school education to children under six and to pregnant and lactating mothers.
- What are the six services delivered under ICDS?
- Who is eligible for ICDS benefits?
- How does ICDS differ from the Mid-Day Meal Scheme?
- What is the legal status of ICDS following the right-to-food case?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Integrated Child Development Services is an Indian government scheme launched in 1975 that delivers nutrition, health, and pre-school education to children under six and to pregnant and lactating mothers.

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## Timeline

1. 2 October 1975

   The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) was launched on by the Government of India as a centrally sponsored scheme to address the interlinked probl…

2. 28 November 2001

   196 of 2001), commonly the "right to food" case, transformed ICDS from a discretionary programme into a justiciable entitlement, with orders dated and subse…

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In March 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Poshan Abhiyaan from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, restructuring ICDS delivery through real-time monitoring to reduce child stunting and anaemia nationwide.

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