Which one among the following is NOT covered under Integrated Child Development Services?

The correct answer is D. Family Planning is not one of the six services under ICDS. ICDS, launched in 1975 and now run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, provides six services to children under six and to pregnant and lactating mothers: supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, immunization, health check-up, referral services, and nutrition and health education.

Checking the options:

• A) Supplementary Nutrition is the first and most visible ICDS service, delivered as take-home ration and hot cooked meals at Anganwadi Centres.
• B) Immunization is covered, delivered through Anganwadi Centres in coordination with the health department.
• C) Nutrition and Health Education is the sixth service, aimed at mothers and caregivers, usually delivered through the Anganwadi worker.

Core concept: ICDS is an anganwadi-based convergence programme, and its services focus on child nutrition, health and early learning. Family planning belongs to the health sector (National Health Mission and earlier RCH programmes), so it sits outside ICDS. For Mains, ICDS is a standard example of convergence in social sector delivery and of gaps in anganwadi infrastructure and manpower.

Trap: Candidates see "Anganwadi" and "mothers" and assume every maternal and child health activity is an ICDS service. Keep the six-service list in mind and place family planning with the health ministry's programmes.