Evaluation Study on Integrated Child Development Schemes (ICDS) Volume I

Abstract

Systematic evaluations of development interventions often lead to the evolution of sharper policies based on hardcore evidence. It is standard practice to look into the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the intervention in question. The present evaluation exercise vis-a-vis ICDS considers the first four components. It examines the relevance of ICDS in the context of attaining important national goals (which are in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals - MDGs) like reducing child mortality and morbidity rates resulting from malnutrition, and moving towards the ideal of Universal Elementary Education.