Central
Tax benefit
12A / 80G Tax Exemption
Tax exemption for NGO income and deduction for donors.
Central Government Scheme
· Active – ongoing under Poshan 2.0 / Mission Shakti · India
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
/ Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme
ICDS channels government grants to NGOs and civil society organisations to run Anganwadi-linked nutrition, early childhood education, and mother-child welfare programmes, supplementing the government's own Anganwadi network. Apply now in India with expert guidance from Varahii Consultancy.
Target Age: Children 0–6 years and pregnant/lactating mothers
Services: Nutrition, pre-school education, health check-ups, immunisation facilitation
Ngo Role: Running supplementary nutrition programmes, creches, or community outreach
Grant Channel: State WCD department → District CDPO → empanelled NGO
Status: Active – ongoing under Poshan 2.0 / Mission Shakti
City: India
14 lakh+
Anganwadi Centres
8.5 crore+
Children Covered
₹24,000 /child/yr
National Creche Grant
742
Aspirational Districts Prioritised
What is Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme?
ICDS channels government grants to NGOs and civil society organisations to run Anganwadi-linked nutrition, early childhood education, and mother-child welfare programmes, supplementing the government's own Anganwadi network.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme applicants in India typically face the same handful of avoidable rejection reasons. Our consultants in India flag these before you apply, not after a rejection.
Objective: To improve nutritional outcomes and early childhood development for children under 6 and pregnant/lactating mothers through NGO-delivered community-level services.
Who is this for in India?
NGOs running child nutrition, early childhood education, or mother-child welfare programmes
Organisations operating community creches (day-care) for children of working mothers
NGOs working in Anganwadi-deprived areas or hard-to-reach habitations
Eligibility Criteria – India
To apply for Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme India, applicants must meet the following conditions:
Registration: Registered Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company
Darpan: NITI Aayog Darpan registration required
Track Record: Minimum 3 years of work in child welfare, nutrition, or early childhood development
Geographic Presence: Must have operational presence in the proposed project area
Not Eligible: Commercial daycares or for-profit childcare centres, NGOs without audited accounts for the last 3 years, Organisations with FCRA violations
Who is NOT Eligible
Commercial daycares or for-profit childcare centres
NGOs without audited accounts for the last 3 years
Organisations with FCRA violations
Benefits for India Applicants
Eligible applicants India can receive the following benefits under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Supplementary Nutrition | Funding for take-home ration or hot cooked meals for children and mothers |
| Creche Grant | Per-beneficiary grant for running National Creche Scheme centres |
| Pre School Education | Support for running early childhood education (ECE) activities |
| Community Outreach | Funding for home visits, growth monitoring, and awareness campaigns |
Documents Required
Keep the following documents ready before applying India. Having them prepared speeds up approval significantly.
NGO registration certificate
NITI Aayog Darpan registration
Audited accounts (last 3 years)
Annual report with beneficiary data
Project proposal covering geography, beneficiaries, activities, and budget
Proof of operational facilities (Anganwadi linkage or creche premises)
Pro tip: Register on Udyam Portal before applying. It strengthens your application and may unlock additional MSME benefits.
How to Apply in India
Follow these steps to apply for Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme India:
Our in India team has helped applicants navigate Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme from initial documentation through to disbursal, resolving the common procedural delays that catch most first-time applicants off guard.
1
Register on NITI Aayog Darpan
Mandatory first step for any central government grant.
2
Contact District Child Development Project Officer (CDPO)
Approach the CDPO of your target district to express interest in ICDS NGO partnership.
3
Submit grant proposal to State WCD Department
Prepare and submit a detailed project proposal to the State Women and Child Development Department.
4
Selection and MoU
State WCD reviews proposals; selected NGOs sign an MoU specifying deliverables, fund release schedule, and reporting requirements.
5
Implementation
Begin programme activities; maintain attendance registers, nutrition records, and progress reports as required.
6
Utilisation certificate and renewal
Submit utilisation certificates and annual reports; grants are renewed annually based on performance.
Online Portal: You can apply directly at https://wcd.nic.in. Varahii's consultants can guide you through every step.
Coverage & Limits
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme Umbrella | Integrated under Poshan 2.0 and Mission Shakti (sub-scheme Sambal) |
| Creche Scheme | National Creche Scheme — ₹24,000 per beneficiary per year for NGO-run creches |
| Geographic Priority | Aspirational districts, tribal areas, and urban slums |
Applying for Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme in India
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme is available to entrepreneurs and individuals across India. Whether you are based in the urban core or surrounding areas of India, you can approach any participating bank, NBFC, or Microfinance Institution to begin your application.
Varahii Consultancy has helped hundreds of applicants India successfully complete their Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme applications — from document preparation to follow-up with the sanctioning authority.
Varahii in India: Our local advisors understand the specific requirements of India branches and can help you choose the right lender or government office for faster processing.
Industry & Entrepreneurship Landscape in India
India's small-business economy is shaped in large part by trading, agro-processing, and small-scale manufacturing, sectors that account for a significant share of local MSME and entrepreneurial activity. Udyam registrations have grown steadily as more entrepreneurs formalise their businesses to access government schemes, priority-sector loans, and tender eligibility.
Among individual entrepreneurs in India, current trends show a growing share of women-led and first-generation entrepreneurs registering new micro-enterprises. This shift is directly relevant to Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme applicants, since lenders and sanctioning authorities increasingly favour Udyam-registered, formally documented businesses when reviewing applications.
Banking & credit access in India: Applicants typically work with SBI, regional rural banks, and a network of cooperative banks when applying for government-linked schemes, alongside NBFCs and microfinance institutions for smaller ticket sizes.
Why Varahii Is Among the Best Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme Consultants in India
Choosing the right consultant for Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme in India can be the difference between a smooth approval and months of avoidable delay. Varahii Consultancy has built a reputation in India and across India for handling government scheme and MSME loan applications end-to-end — not just advising, but actively preparing documentation, tracking application status, and following up with the relevant department or bank until a decision is reached.
Specialised, up-to-date knowledge of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme eligibility and documentation requirements in India
End-to-end application support — not just advice — from document prep to final follow-up
Familiarity with local banks, NBFCs, and government offices in India
Transparent process with no hidden fees and a free initial eligibility check
Varahii in India: If you're evaluating Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme options in India, our consultants can give you a realistic eligibility assessment before you commit any paperwork — most consultations start with a free review of your specific situation.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Icds Launched | 1975 |
| Poshan 2 Launch | 2021 (merger of ICDS with Poshan Abhiyan) |
| National Creche Scheme | Operationalised from 2018 |
Contact & Support
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Women and Child Development |
| State Contact | State WCD Department / District CDPO |
| Portal | wcd.nic.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
It provides ₹24,000 per beneficiary per year to NGOs running day-care centres (creches) for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers.
By applying to the State WCD Department / District CDPO with a proposal, Darpan registration, 3 years of audited accounts, and a track record in child welfare.
Generally, a minimum 3-year operational track record is required. Newly registered NGOs in high-priority areas (tribal, aspirational districts) may get conditional empanelment.
Poshan 2.0 is the umbrella nutrition mission that integrates ICDS, Poshan Abhiyan, and the Adolescent Girls Scheme into a convergent programme focused on the first 1,000 days of life.
FCRA is required only if the NGO receives international funds. For ICDS domestic government grants, Darpan registration, 12A, and 80G are more relevant.
Related topics: child nutrition Anganwadi ICDS NGO grant creche early childhood Poshan 2.0 WCD India
Ready to Apply for Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi NGO Grant Scheme in India?
Varahii's verified consultants handle everything — eligibility check, document preparation, application filing, and follow-up with India authorities. 100% free initial consultation.