1990 - 15 Years of ICDS | Commemorative Coin

The first commemorative coin for the year 1990 was issued to mark the 15 years of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) stands as one of India’s most significant and far-reaching social welfare programmes, dedicated to improving the health, nutrition, and development of children under the age of six, as well as supporting pregnant women and nursing mothers. Launched on October 2, 1975, the initiative was conceived to address widespread malnutrition, high infant mortality rates, and gaps in early childhood education. ICDS emerged as a holistic, community-based response that recognized the crucial early years of life as the foundation for a child’s lifelong well-being, learning capacity, and productivity. Its approach integrated essential services within a single framework, ensuring that vulnerable families—particularly in rural, tribal, and economically disadvantaged areas—received support that was accessible, coordinated, and impactful.

At the heart of ICDS lies the network of Anganwadi Centres, which serve as the primary delivery points for its services. These centres provide supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, immunization support, health check-ups, pre-school non-formal education, and referral services. The Anganwadi worker and helper, often drawn from the local community, play a pivotal role in ensuring the programme’s effectiveness. Their presence helps build trust, encourages participation, and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for child development. Through these centres, millions of children benefit from timely nutrition, early learning opportunities, and essential health interventions—elements that are vital in combating malnutrition and supporting cognitive and physical growth.

ICDS also places significant emphasis on maternal care, recognizing that the health of mothers is deeply intertwined with the well-being of their children. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls receive nutrition supplementation, health education, and guidance on safe motherhood practices. This component not only promotes healthier pregnancies but also strengthens the overall framework of family health. Community-based awareness programmes under ICDS further empower families with knowledge about nutrition, hygiene, breastfeeding, and childcare, helping to break long-standing cycles of poor health and inadequate nourishment.

Over the decades, ICDS has evolved and expanded to meet emerging challenges. It has served as a platform for numerous national initiatives, including campaigns against anaemia, efforts to promote institutional deliveries, and strategies to improve early childhood education quality. With continued reforms, digital tracking, and strengthened training modules for frontline workers, ICDS remains central to India’s mission of building a healthier, more educated, and more resilient generation. Its legacy is reflected not only in improved nutrition and health indicators but also in the growing recognition of early childhood care and development as fundamental pillars of national progress.