In India, which of the following ministries has the overall responsibility of monitoring the 'Integrated Child Development Services' ('ICDS') scheme?

Appeared in: UP CHO - 10 September 2021

Explanation

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is the central government's nodal agency for the policy, implementation, and monitoring of the ICDS scheme.
Launched in 1975, ICDS is one of the world's largest and most unique programs for early childhood care and development.
The scheme provides a package of six essential services through a nationwide network of Anganwadi Centres.
While health-related services like immunization and health check-ups are delivered in convergence with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the overall coordination and responsibility rest with MWCD.

Option A: This ministry's mandate is focused on agriculture, crop production, and the welfare of farmers, not child development services.
Option C: This ministry is responsible for the development, education, and research in traditional Indian systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy).
Option D: This ministry focuses specifically on the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. While ICDS operates in tribal areas, the overall scheme is universal and managed by MWCD.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Nodal ministry for the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Community health nurses frequently collaborate with Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) to deliver primary healthcare services, such as immunization, health check-ups, and growth monitoring, which are part of the ICDS package.
Understanding the ICDS framework allows nurses to effectively refer beneficiaries for supplementary nutrition and non-formal education, ensuring holistic care for mothers and children.
What if? If a nurse in a primary health centre (PHC) notices a high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in a specific village, she should coordinate with the local Anganwadi supervisor to ensure consistent supply and consumption of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets and provide targeted health education during Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Integrated Child Development Services' (ICDS).
Analyze the name of the scheme itself. It clearly points towards 'Child Development'.
Examine the options provided. The 'Ministry of Women and Child Development' has a name that directly corresponds to the objective of the ICDS scheme.
Consider the functions of the other ministries to eliminate them. 'Agriculture' relates to farming, 'Ayush' to traditional medicine, and 'Tribal Affairs' to a specific demographic, whereas ICDS is a broader child welfare program.
This logical connection makes the Ministry of Women and Child Development the most plausible answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nodal ministry for the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in India.
Stem keywords: India, ministries, responsibility, monitoring, Integrated Child Development Services, ICDS
Lead-in keywords: which of the following
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & DieteticsHarbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 427-429

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) pp. 93-95, 95-97

Practise the full UP CHO - 10 September 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.