Paper short abstract:

Malnutrition affects the child's development in terms of health,education,productive activities for life,etc.In this regard, ICDS programme has a key role in combating malnutrition and facilitate the development of children.

Paper long abstract:

Proper nutrition,care & development during early childhood years lay the foundation for a healthy and productive life. India's progress in improving nutrition has been unacceptably slow. Almost one in two Indian children is stunted & 40% are underweight. One-third of all Indian women are underweight. Rates of micro nutrient deficiencies are extremely high,with almost 80% of children and 56% of women being anaemic (NFHS-3,2005-06). The country is unlikely to realize the first MDG by 2015 with its present pace of actions. ICDS is one such programme that aims to address the health, nutrition and development needs of children under six.In this context the present study attempts to analyse the impact of ICDS programme and nutritional status of children in the state. The methods of study will be exploratory and analytical in nature based on primary as well as secondary sources of data. Analysis of data shows that the programme coverage is very low with lack of proper manpower and infrastructure facility. In addition, maternal under nutrition, quality & quantity of food, lack of community participation & coordination at implementation level becomes the major obstacles to enhance the nutritional status of children in the state.