Author(s): Dr. Sushila Singh

Abstract:
India, however, considered its population as a major potential resource for national development, and recognized the importance of optimal nutrition and health for human resource development. Therefore, Article 47 of the Constitution of India stated “the State shall regard raising the level of nutrition and standard of living of its people and improvement in public health among its primary duties”. India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru believed that “It is only through research, science and technology that India can find solutions to the numerous massive problems that the country is facing”, and therefore prompted investment in research and development. It has long been recognized that preschool children and pregnant and lactating women are the most nutritionally vulnerable segments of the family. Data from the NNMB surveys have shown that there are large gaps between DRA and actual dietary intake in these segments. The Government of India initiated two major food supplementation programs like ICDS to address the energy gap in children to promote psycho-social development of children through early nutritional status. This research paper will explore the answer to about the main function of ICDS. Is ICDS became a vehicle for rapid improvement in nutritional status and health status of agro based children in North Bihar.