ICDS Scheme 2026 in Nagaland - Anganwadi Services Under Poshan 2.0

Nagaland government is running Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) in 2026 as part of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Around 3.45 lakh eligible people get supplementary nutrition, health checkups, immunization and pre-school education through 3,980 Anganwadi centres across 11 districts of the state.

Sixty ICDS projects work on the ground under revised Poshan 2.0 rules. These rules now cover pregnant women, lactating mothers, children below 6 years, and adolescent girls aged 14 to 18 years in North East states like Nagaland. Eligible people can register at their nearest Anganwadi centre or use Poshan Tracker app to enroll digitally.

ICDS Scheme Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0

Since 1975, Anganwadi services have been the main way to reach children and mothers in India with health and nutrition support. In 2022, Anganwadi Services scheme, Poshan Abhiyaan, and Scheme for Adolescent Girls were merged into a single umbrella called Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Social Welfare Department of Nagaland runs the scheme through Anganwadi workers and helpers at every centre.

This is a centrally sponsored scheme with a Union Budget allocation of ₹21,960 crore for 2025-26. Across India, more than 14 lakh Anganwadi centres serve nearly 9 crore eligible people. In Nagaland, all six original ICDS services are still available at every centre, and the scheme now also covers adolescent girls in the 14 to 18 age group.

Main aim of ICDS is to improve the nutritional and health status of children aged 0 to 6 years. It also helps build a strong base for the mental, physical, and social growth of every child. The scheme works to reduce child deaths, illness, malnutrition, and school dropouts. It brings different departments together for child welfare and gives mothers proper training so that they can take care of their children's health and food needs at home. For a wider view of India's nutrition programme, see the related coverage of Poshan Abhiyaan.

Benefits Under Anganwadi Services in Nagaland

Every Anganwadi centre gives a package of six services to eligible people. These are combined so that a family gets nutrition, health support and early learning at one place close to home.

Nutrition norms have been updated under Poshan 2.0. Children between 6 months and 3 years get Take Home Ration (THR) with 500 kcal and 12 to 15 grams of protein per day. Children between 3 and 6 years get a hot cooked meal at the centre with the same energy value. Pregnant women and lactating mothers get 600 kcal and 18 to 20 grams of protein per day through THR. Adolescent girls aged 14 to 18 years in North East states like Nagaland also get 600 kcal and 18 to 20 grams of protein per day.

The six services provided at every Anganwadi centre are:

• Supplementary nutrition through Take Home Ration and hot cooked meals for better growth.
• Regular immunization for children under six years.
• Routine health checkups by ANM and Anganwadi workers.
• Referral services to link families with local hospitals for further care.
• Non-formal pre-school education for children aged 3 to 6 years.
• Nutrition and health education for mothers, along with learning support drawn from Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi guidelines.

Key Information

Who Can Apply for ICDS Benefits

You can apply if you belong to one of the groups listed below. Poshan 2.0 does not put any income limit, so any eligible person can register at their nearest Anganwadi centre in Nagaland.

• Children up to the age of 6 years, including infants from 6 months onwards.
• Pregnant women who need nutritional support during pregnancy.
• Lactating mothers up to 6 months after childbirth.
• Adolescent girls aged 14 to 18 years in Nagaland and other North East states.

Children above 6 years of age who do not fall under the adolescent girl category are not eligible to get benefits under this scheme.

Application Process at Nearest Anganwadi Centre

Registration is simple and can be done offline at the Anganwadi centre or online through Poshan Tracker app. From 1 August 2025, biometric-based registration through Aadhaar has been rolled out to make identification more accurate and stop duplicate entries. Here is how you can enroll step by step.

STEP 1 - Locate your nearest Anganwadi centre in your village or ward. In Nagaland, every panchayat and urban ward area has an Anganwadi centre run by an Anganwadi worker and helper. You can ask your local ASHA worker or ward member for the exact location.

STEP 2 - Visit the centre during working hours with the required documents such as Aadhaar card, address proof and a passport size photo. Meet the Anganwadi worker and tell her that you want to register for ICDS or Poshan 2.0 services.

STEP 3 - Fill up the registration form given by the Anganwadi worker. She will enter your details in Poshan Tracker app or web portal at poshantracker.in for a digital record.

STEP 4 - Give Aadhaar based biometric verification if asked. This step became required from 1 August 2025 to reduce duplicate entries and speed up service delivery.

STEP 5 - Collect your registration slip or registration ID. Start visiting the centre as per the schedule shared with you for Take Home Ration, hot cooked meals, health checkups and pre-school sessions.

Eligible people can also self-register by downloading Poshan Tracker app from Google Play Store, entering their mobile number, verifying with OTP and filling household details. The Anganwadi worker will later confirm these details at the centre.

Documents Required

Keep the following documents ready before you visit the Anganwadi centre or open the Poshan Tracker app for self-registration:

• Aadhaar card of the eligible person and mother or guardian.
• Recent passport size photograph of the eligible person.
• Valid proof of age or date of birth such as birth certificate or school certificate.
• Address proof like voter ID, ration card or electricity bill in the family's name.

Poshan Tracker Portal

Poshan Tracker is the official digital platform of Ministry of Women and Child Development for real-time tracking of nutrition services. Anganwadi workers use this portal every day to record attendance, height, weight, ration distribution and pre-school activity. Families can also check their own status on the app after registration. Official website is poshantracker.in and the mobile app is free on Google Play Store.

References

View Official Scheme Details at Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland

FAQ's

Is ICDS still running in 2026?

Yes, ICDS is running but now works under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. All six original services continue at every Anganwadi centre.

Who can register for Poshan 2.0 in Nagaland?

Pregnant women, lactating mothers up to 6 months after delivery, children between 6 months and 6 years, and adolescent girls aged 14 to 18 years can register at their nearest Anganwadi centre.

What do pregnant and lactating mothers get?

They get Take Home Ration with 600 kcal and 18 to 20 grams of protein per day, along with health checkups and nutrition counseling at the centre.

How many Anganwadi centres are there in Nagaland?

Nagaland has 3,980 Anganwadi centres spread across 11 districts, running under 60 ICDS projects.

What is Poshan Tracker?

It is the official digital portal at poshantracker.in used by Anganwadi workers and eligible people to record and check nutrition services in real time.

Is Aadhaar required for registration?

Yes. From 1 August 2025, biometric verification through Aadhaar is required for new registrations to make identification accurate.

How much does the Union Budget provide for Poshan 2.0?

Union Budget 2025-26 has provided ₹21,960 crore for Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.

Where can I file a complaint about Anganwadi services?

You can raise a complaint with the local Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) or file it through the grievance section of Poshan Tracker app.