Rural Development and National Programmes for Women and Children

What to remember

• ICDS began on 2 October 1975 and gives six services to children under six, pregnant and nursing women. The Anganwadi centre is its village-level unit.
• Rural development programmes moved from community development (1952) to self-employment (IRDP), wage employment, rural housing, rural roads, and women's self-help groups under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
• Women and children programmes now sit in laws and missions: POSHAN Abhiyaan, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, with the POCSO Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and the Domestic Violence Act as the legal base.

Rural development: concept and approach

Rural development means improving the economic and social life of rural people, especially the poor. It covers agriculture, employment, income, housing, health, education, water, sanitation, roads and women's empowerment. It follows three broad approaches. The first is the community development approach, with area-based work through blocks. The second is target-group programmes for the poor, such as self-employment and wage employment. The third is rights-based schemes, where a law gives an entitlement.

The block is the main unit of rural development administration. The Block Development Officer heads it. At the district level, the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and later the district-level project bodies handled poverty programmes. Panchayati Raj institutions now have a larger role in planning and monitoring.

Major rural development programmes

Remember these links: SGSY became the National Rural Livelihoods Mission; IRDP was merged into SGSY; the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was passed in 2005 and was first rolled out in selected districts before spreading to all rural districts. The Act makes employment a legal right, gives priority to women's participation, and requires equal wages for men and women.

Self-help groups (SHGs) are small voluntary groups of poor women who save regularly, lend among themselves and access bank credit. They are linked to banks through the SHG-Bank Linkage approach. Andhra Pradesh has been seen as a pioneer in the SHG movement through DWCRA groups, and later through the state's rural poverty mission (the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty). The Stree Nidhi cooperative credit federation for women is an AP initiative. Do not treat any of these as current status; check the latest official release.

ICDS: structure and services

The Integrated Child Development Services scheme started on 2 October 1975. It is a centrally sponsored scheme run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development at the national level. In states, the department of women and child welfare implements it.

Beneficiaries: children 0-6 years, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and adolescent girls (through special schemes).

Six services:

• 1. Supplementary nutrition
• 2. Immunisation
• 3. Health check-up
• 4. Referral services
• 5. Pre-school (non-formal) education for 3-6 years
• 6. Nutrition and health education for women

Health services (immunisation, health check-up, referral) are delivered with the health department. The Anganwadi Worker (AWW) runs the centre with an Anganwadi Helper. A Supervisor (this exam's post) oversees a group of centres. The Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) heads a project, usually a block. The District Programme Officer is at district level.

The ICDS programme has been repackaged within Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0. Growth monitoring uses weight-for-age charts and the Anganwadi worker keeps registers. Take-home ration and hot cooked meals are the usual modes of supplementary nutrition. Check the latest guidelines for norms.

Women and child nutrition and health programmes

The ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) is a community health worker linked with the village health team. The Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) works from the sub-centre. The Anganwadi Worker, ASHA and ANM form the village-level health and nutrition team.

Women's empowerment and protection programmes

Do not confuse the anti-trafficking scheme named Ujjwala with the LPG connection scheme of a similar name.

Child protection programmes

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (2007) is the statutory body for child rights. Mission Vatsalya is the umbrella child protection scheme, which succeeded the Integrated Child Protection Scheme. CHILDLINE 1098 is the national helpline for children in need of care and protection. Child Welfare Committees look after children in need of care and Juvenile Justice Boards deal with children in conflict with law.

Key laws

Exam traps

• ICDS vs POSHAN Abhiyaan: ICDS is the service-delivery scheme from 1975; POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018) is a nutrition mission using convergence.
• IRDP vs SGSY vs NRLM: IRDP gave individual subsidies; SGSY used SHG groups; NRLM builds federations of women's SHGs.
• DWCRA vs MGNREGA: DWCRA is a women's group scheme; MGNREGA is wage employment as a legal right.
• JSY vs PMMVY: JSY rewards institutional delivery; PMMVY gives support for wage loss during pregnancy and nursing.
• NCW vs NCPCR: the first is for women (1992); the second is for children (2007).
• Ujjwala (trafficking) vs Ujjwala (LPG): different schemes.
• CHILDLINE 1098 vs Women Helpline 181: children versus women.
• Anganwadi Worker vs ASHA: AWW is an ICDS functionary; ASHA is a health functionary.

One-liners

• 1. ICDS started on 2 October 1975.
• 2. ICDS has six services.
• 3. Pre-school education in ICDS is for ages 3 to 6.
• 4. The CDPO heads an ICDS project.
• 5. POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched in 2018.
• 6. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched in 2015.
• 7. MGNREGA was enacted in 2005.
• 8. DAY-NRLM is a livelihoods mission for women's SHGs.
• 9. PMGSY builds rural roads.
• 10. The POCSO Act was passed in 2012.
• 11. CHILDLINE's number is 1098.
• 12. Mission Shakti is an umbrella scheme for women.

Practice questions

1. The Integrated Child Development Services scheme was launched on

   1. 2 October 1975
   2. 15 August 1978
   3. 2 October 1952
   4. 1 April 1985
   Answer

   A. 2 October 1975

   ICDS began on 2 October 1975.

2. How many services does ICDS provide?

   1. Six
   2. Five
   3. Eight
   4. Four
   Answer

   A. Six

   Supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health check-up, referral, pre-school education, nutrition and health education.

3. The pre-school education component of ICDS is meant for children aged

   1. 1 to 2 years
   2. 6 to 14 years
   3. 0 to 1 year
   4. 3 to 6 years
   Answer

   D. 3 to 6 years

   Non-formal pre-school education is for 3 to 6 years.

4. Who heads an ICDS project at the project level?

   1. Anganwadi Worker
   2. Child Development Project Officer
   3. Sarpanch
   4. Block Medical Officer
   Answer

   B. Child Development Project Officer

   The CDPO heads the project, usually a block.

5. Which of the following is NOT one of the six ICDS services?

   1. Health check-up
   2. Immunisation
   3. Vocational training for adults
   4. Referral services
   Answer

   C. Vocational training for adults

   Vocational training for adults is not an ICDS service.

6. POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched mainly to reduce

   1. School dropout
   2. Stunting, undernutrition and anaemia
   3. Maternal literacy gap
   4. Child labour
   Answer

   B. Stunting, undernutrition and anaemia

   It is a convergence mission against malnutrition.

7. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme aims to

   1. Train women as nurses
   2. Give pensions to widows
   3. Improve the child sex ratio and girls' education
   4. Provide LPG to rural homes
   Answer

   C. Improve the child sex ratio and girls' education

   It addresses declining child sex ratio and girls' education.

8. Which Act of 2005 gives a legal right to wage employment to rural households that ask for work?

   1. MGNREGA
   2. Right to Education Act
   3. Dowry Prohibition Act
   4. POCSO Act
   Answer

   A. MGNREGA

   The Act was passed in 2005.

9. The Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana was based mainly on

   1. Self-help groups
   2. Individual loans only
   3. Food rations
   4. Wage employment alone
   Answer

   A. Self-help groups

   SGSY promoted self-employment through SHGs.

10. DAY-NRLM ('Aajeevika') mainly works by

    1. Supplying school meals
    2. Building rural roads
    3. Running pre-schools
    4. Organising poor women into self-help groups and federations
    Answer

    D. Organising poor women into self-help groups and federations

    NRLM is a livelihoods mission built on women's SHGs.

11. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is meant for

    1. Rural electrification
    2. All-weather road connectivity to habitations
    3. Rural housing
    4. Drinking water supply
    Answer

    B. All-weather road connectivity to habitations

    PMGSY builds rural roads.

12. The Janani Suraksha Yojana promotes

    1. Adult literacy
    2. Pre-school education
    3. Institutional delivery
    4. Girl child savings
    Answer

    C. Institutional delivery

    JSY gives cash incentive for delivery in a health facility.

13. The ASHA is a functionary of which system?

    1. ICDS
    2. Panchayat finance
    3. Police
    4. Health system
    Answer

    D. Health system

    ASHA is the Accredited Social Health Activist.

14. The statutory body set up in 2007 for child rights is the

    1. National Commission for Women
    2. Central Social Welfare Board
    3. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
    4. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh
    Answer

    C. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

    NCPCR was constituted in 2007.

15. The national helpline for children in need of care and protection is

    1. 1098
    2. 108
    3. 181
    4. 100
    Answer

    A. 1098

    CHILDLINE is 1098; 181 is for women.

16. The Women Helpline number is

    1. 1098
    2. 100
    3. 108
    4. 181
    Answer

    D. 181

    181 is the women helpline.

17. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was passed in

    1. 2015
    2. 2012
    3. 2006
    4. 1994
    Answer

    B. 2012

    The POCSO Act is from 2012.

18. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2006 replaced the earlier law of

    1. 1986
    2. 1955
    3. 1961
    4. 1929
    Answer

    D. 1929

    The Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 was replaced.

19. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh is a national fund that provides

    1. Credit to poor women
    2. Nutrition supplements
    3. School scholarships
    4. Pensions to the aged
    Answer

    A. Credit to poor women

    It gives micro-credit through intermediaries to poor women.

20. The programme that took a group approach for poor rural women and children in 1982 was

    1. JRY
    2. SGSY
    3. DWCRA
    4. PMGSY
    Answer

    C. DWCRA

    Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas.

21. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme was started in

    1. 2005
    2. 1995
    3. 1975
    4. 2015
    Answer

    B. 1995

    National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education started in 1995.

22. Which law forbids sex determination before birth?

    1. Dowry Prohibition Act
    2. Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act
    3. Maternity Benefit Act
    4. Right to Education Act
    Answer

    B. Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act

    The PCPNDT Act of 1994 bans sex determination.

23. The One Stop Centre (Sakhi) is meant to

    1. Give integrated support to women facing violence
    2. Run pre-schools
    3. Provide agricultural loans
    4. Distribute ration
    Answer

    A. Give integrated support to women facing violence

    It offers medical, legal, counselling and shelter help in one place.

24. Mission Vatsalya is the umbrella scheme for

    1. Farmer credit
    2. Rural roads
    3. Child protection
    4. Women's housing
    Answer

    C. Child protection

    It succeeded the Integrated Child Protection Scheme.

25. The ICDS functionary who runs the village-level centre is the

    1. CDPO
    2. Supervisor
    3. District Programme Officer
    4. Anganwadi Worker
    Answer

    D. Anganwadi Worker

    The AWW runs the centre with a helper.

26. The Right to Education Act guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged

    1. 3 to 6 years
    2. 14 to 18 years
    3. 6 to 14 years
    4. 0 to 6 years
    Answer

    C. 6 to 14 years

    The Act passed in 2009 covers the 6-14 age group.

27. A rural household is entitled to work under MGNREGA on

    1. Allotment by the Sarpanch only
    2. Payment of a fee
    3. Demand from adult members
    4. Approval of the bank
    Answer

    C. Demand from adult members

    The scheme is demand-driven.

28. Consider the statements about ICDS. 1. It started in 1975. 2. Its services include immunisation and health check-up. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

29. Consider the statements. 1. ICDS is run only by the health department. 2. The Anganwadi Worker and Helper staff each centre. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    ICDS is run by the women and child development department; health services are delivered with the health department.

30. Consider the statements about MGNREGA. 1. It makes wage employment a legal entitlement. 2. It requires equal wages for men and women. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are features of the Act.

31. Consider the statements. 1. The National Commission for Women was set up in 1992. 2. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights was set up in 1992. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    NCPCR was set up in 2007.

32. Consider the statements. 1. Janani Suraksha Yojana was launched under the National Rural Health Mission. 2. It focuses on adolescent education. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    JSY focuses on institutional delivery.

33. Consider the statements. 1. SGSY replaced the Integrated Rural Development Programme. 2. IRDP gave group-based federations to poor women. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    IRDP offered subsidy and credit to families; group focus came with SGSY.

34. Consider the statements. 1. CHILDLINE 1098 is a helpline for children. 2. Women Helpline 181 is for children in need. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    181 is for women.

35. Consider the statements about POCSO and the Juvenile Justice Act. 1. POCSO protects children from sexual offences. 2. The Juvenile Justice Act covers children in need of care and in conflict with law. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both describe the laws correctly.

36. Consider the statements. 1. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is a school-based programme. 2. It is a service component under the Anganwadi pre-school only. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The scheme serves school children; ICDS has a separate supplementary nutrition service.

37. Consider the statements about self-help groups. 1. Members save regularly and lend among themselves. 2. They can be linked with banks for credit. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are standard features of SHGs.

38. Match the programme with its focus. P. PMGSY Q. JSY R. DWCRA 1. Institutional delivery 2. Rural roads 3. Women and children groups

    1. P-2, Q-3, R-1
    2. P-3, Q-1, R-2
    3. P-1, Q-2, R-3
    4. P-2, Q-1, R-3
    Answer

    D. P-2, Q-1, R-3

    PMGSY roads, JSY delivery, DWCRA women groups.

39. Match the body with its year. P. NCW Q. NCPCR R. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh 1. 2007 2. 1992 3. 1993

    1. P-1, Q-2, R-3
    2. P-3, Q-1, R-2
    3. P-2, Q-3, R-1
    4. P-2, Q-1, R-3
    Answer

    D. P-2, Q-1, R-3

    NCW 1992, NCPCR 2007, RMK 1993.

40. Match the helpline with its user. P. 1098 Q. 181 1. Women 2. Children

    1. P-2, Q-2
    2. P-2, Q-1
    3. P-1, Q-1
    4. P-1, Q-2
    Answer

    B. P-2, Q-1

    1098 is for children; 181 for women.

41. Match the law with its subject. P. POCSO Q. Dowry Prohibition Act R. Domestic Violence Act 1. Giving and taking dowry 2. Child sexual offences 3. Protection orders and residence rights

    1. P-1, Q-2, R-3
    2. P-2, Q-1, R-3
    3. P-3, Q-1, R-2
    4. P-2, Q-3, R-1
    Answer

    B. P-2, Q-1, R-3

    POCSO covers child sexual offences; the other two as listed.

42. A pregnant woman wants a cash incentive for delivering in a hospital. Which scheme is most relevant?

    1. PMGSY
    2. Swachh Bharat Mission
    3. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
    4. Janani Suraksha Yojana
    Answer

    D. Janani Suraksha Yojana

    JSY rewards institutional delivery.

43. A village wants all-weather roads to link its habitations. Which programme should it approach?

    1. PMGSY
    2. MGNREGA only for wages
    3. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
    4. POSHAN Abhiyaan
    Answer

    A. PMGSY

    PMGSY is the road connectivity scheme.

44. A girl's parents want a savings scheme for her future. Which scheme was launched for this purpose in 2015?

    1. Swadhar Greh
    2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
    3. Mahila Samakhya
    4. Mission Indradhanush
    Answer

    B. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

    It is a small savings scheme for the girl child.

45. The block-level officer who heads rural development administration in a Community Development Block is the

    1. Village Level Worker
    2. Child Development Project Officer
    3. District Collector
    4. Block Development Officer
    Answer

    D. Block Development Officer

    The BDO heads the block development administration.