Lok Sabha Question No. 3531 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Anganwadi Infrastructure and ECCE
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Biplab Kumar Deb

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3531 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2026

## ANGANWADI INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECCE

## 3531. SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)       the manner in which converting the existing Anganwadi Ceritres (AWCs) into Model Anganwadi Centres has improved the quality of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for children aged 3-6 years;
- (b)       the details of measurable gains in school readiness and cognitive skills seen among the children attending these upgraded ECCE sessions;
- (c)       whether the training and skill-enhancement programmes for Anganwadi Workers are effectively enabling them to deliver both the ECCE curriculum and essential health and nutrition services, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)       the manner in which the Ministry is using the convergence platform to align Anganwadi infrastructure with NEP 2020 goals for foundational learning?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

- (a)         Under  Saksham  Anganwadi  and  Poshan  2.0  scheme,  the  Government  has  so  far upgraded 1,03,940 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) into Saksham Anganwadi Centres for better delivery  of  nutrition  and  increased  focus  on  Early  Childhood  Care  and  Education  (ECCE) services to the beneficiaries.  The upgradation includes provision of LED screens and other audio-visual  aids,  Wi-Fi/Internet  connectivity  (wherever  feasible),  safe  drinking  water facilities such as water filters/RO systems, BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) paintings, ageappropriate ECCE learning materials, Poshan Vatikas (kitchen gardens), clean storage facility for provisions, rainwater harvesting systems, and other item/ works as per local requirement. These  improvements  help  create  a  safe,  stimulating,  and  enabling  environment  for  early learning, facilitating the delivery of ECCE through play-based and activity-based pedagogical practices, thereby supporting the holistic development and school readiness of children aged 3-6 years.

(b)       Under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme, ECCE is implemented for children of 0-3 years through structured Home Visits by the Anganwadi Workers (AWCs). These Home Visits  are  based  on  'Navchetana -  National  Framework  for  Early  Childhood  Stimu lation'. ECCE is implemented for children of 3-6 years at AWCs through a play and activity-based ECCE curriculum, named 'Aadharshila -National Curriculum for ECCE'.

(c)       Under the Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) initiative training is imparted to AWWs to Strengthen  their  capacities  for  effective  delivery  of  Early  Childhood  Care  and  Education (ECCE) along with essential nutrition and health services. As on 09 th March 2026, 10,25,515 AWWs have been trained under round 1 of the PBPB. The training modules cover key aspects such as early stimulation and learning activities as per the Navchetana and play-based ECCE pedagogy as the Aadharshila.

(d)         Aadharshila -National  Curriculum  for  ECCE  is  based  on  National  Curriculum Framework-Foundational  Stage  (NCF-FS),  2022.  Further,  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child Development  and  Department  of  School  Education  and  Literacy  jointly  launched  on  3 rd September  2025,  the  Guidelines  for  Co-locating  Anganwadi  Centres  within  Government Primary  Schools.  In  places  where  physical  co-location  is  not  possible,  AWCs  should  be mapped with the nearest primary school. This approach aligns with the vision of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to build a strong foundation for young, healthy learners.  This  initiative  ensures  continuity  between  early  learning  at  AWCs  and  formal schooling starting at Grade 1. It also ensures the optimal use of resources, promotes active community participation, and provides children with a smooth transition from pre-school to primary school.

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