Prevalence of underweight and stunting among children has come down as per NFHS-4

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, aiming at holistic development of Children below 6 years of age and Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers, by providing a package of six services comprising (i) Supplementary nutrition (ii) Pre-school non-formal education (iii) Nutrition and health Education (iv) Immunization (v) Health check-up and (vi) Referral services through Anganwadi Centres at grassroots level. Three of the six services viz., immunization, health check-up and referral services are related to health and are provided by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through NRHM & Public Health Infrastructure.  The services are provided through 13.54 lakh Anganwadi centres located across the country.  Cost of implementation of the Scheme is shared by the Center and States/UTs as per ratio decided by the Government from time to time. 

The number of Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers and Children (6 months to 6 years) benefitted under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme including SCs and STs categories during each of the last three years are as under:

(Beneficiaries in lakhs)

As per "The State of the World's Children 2016" Report published by United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) which is based on 2005-2006 data, India ranks 10th in terms of underweight prevalence and 17th in terms of stunting prevalence in the world. However, as per NFHS-4 survey based on 2015-16 data the prevalence of underweight and stunting has come down to 35.7% & 38.4% from 42.5% & 48% NFSH-3

The Government is implementing several schemes and programs like Anganwadi Services and Scheme for Adolescent girls under Umbrella ICDS to address the problem of malnutrition.

There is no proposal for Public Private Partnership for ICDS and PDS Schemes.

This information was given by Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt Krishna Raj in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.