ABSTRACT
With the change in approach toward development and redistribution of wealth, the neoliberal policies of the state in the era of globalization have adopted a new model of a rights-based approach of social inclusion and equitable distribution of the fruits of development. It is believed that the growth of the economy and consequent development of the nation in general are hinged upon corresponding development of the social indicators. The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is one such social welfare program launched by India, which is one of the oldest nutrition programs in the world that aims at providing food, preschool education and primary health care to children less than 6 years of age and their mothers. The center, through the implementation of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in various states of India, seeks to fulfill its social and constitutional responsibility by adopting a proactive approach toward the poor and underprivileged. These services are provided from “Anganwadi” Centers (Child Care Centers) established mainly in rural and urban areas and staffed with frontline workers. Based on an empirical study, this chapter offers a clear insight into the working of ICDS especially at the state and substate levels. The research also elaborates on the institutional mechanism of ICDS and evaluates its impact as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) by exploring the process of its implementation in the Jajpur district of Odisha, which is a progressive rural district with a dominance of scheduled caste population.
