Children walking towards a colourful Anganwadi Centre
Early Childhood Development Initiative

Adarsh Anganwadi Project.

Transforming Anganwadis into Future-Ready Early Childhood Development Centres.

Health check-ups & immunization referral Supplementary
nutrition
Early childhood care & education Health & nutrition counselling
Background

India's first point of care, nutrition and learning.

Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, which explicitly names Anganwadi infrastructure as the core pillar of Health, Nutrition support, ECCE, and outreach.

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, launched by the Government of India in 1975, is delivered through a nationwide network of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) - village-level hubs providing an integrated package of services to children below six years and to pregnant and lactating mothers. Anganwadi, literally a “courtyard centre,” is the first point of contact between the State and India's youngest citizens.

Health check-ups & immunization referral

Supplementary nutrition

Early childhood care & education

Health & nutrition counselling

Present Gaps & Challenges

The scale is national. The unmet need is immediate.

AWC are yet to be upgraded into Saksham Anganwadi. AWC do not have access to drinking water. AWC don’t have functional toilets.

14 LAKH

Anganwadi Centres operate across India

9 CRORE

Beneficiaries served nationwide

2 LAKH

AWC are yet to be upgraded into Saksham Anganwadi

1.7 LAKH

AWC do not have access to drinking water

2.86 LAKH

AWC don’t have functional toilets

Children entering an Anganwadi Centre
Why Early Years Matter

Early Childhood Determine’s India’s Future.

Investing early delivers higher social & economic return.

Anganwadi teacher reading with young children
90%

of brain development happens before the age of 5

2-3×

children enter Grade 1, already behind their potential

Highest Return

Investing early delivers higher social & economic return

Strong Anganwadi today. Strong Citizens Tomorrow. Stronger India for Generations to Come.

Future-Ready Centres

The Saksham Anganwadi.

Clean, child-friendly and gender-sensitive sanitation facilities. Access to clean, safe drinking water for all.

Functional, Hygienic Toilets

Clean, child-friendly and gender-sensitive sanitation facilities.

Safe & Continuous Drinking Water

Access to clean, safe drinking water for all.

Smart Classrooms with Digital Learning

Technology-enabled learning to build early cognitive and school readiness.

A fully upgraded Saksham Anganwadi Centre with play equipment

Secure Boundary for Child Safety

Fenced and safe premises ensuring protection and peace of mind.

Interactive, Inclusive Learning Environment

Child-friendly spaces, age-appropriate furniture and play & learning materials.

Sustainable & Green Infrastructure

Solar power, rainwater harvesting, kitchen garden and waste management practices.

Project Adarsh Anganwadi

A holistic approach to safe and joyful learning.

Jivika Foundation’s Adarsh Anganwadi Initiative aims to transform existing Anganwadi Centres into safe, hygienic, child-friendly, and learning-ready spaces in alignment with Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0.

Our Holistic Approach

Infrastructure Upgradation

Upgrade existing Anganwadi Centres through need-based renovation and civil works.

WASH Improvement

Improve sanitation, hygiene, and WASH infrastructure.

Safe Water & Sanitation

Ensure access to safe drinking water and child-friendly toilet facilities.

Learning Environment

Create stimulating BALA-based learning environments for young children.

Nutrition Infrastructure

Strengthen kitchen infrastructure for hygienic nutrition services.

Play & Activity Spaces

Develop safe outdoor play and activity spaces that promote holistic development.

Safety & Functionality

Enhance the overall safety, accessibility, and functionality of Anganwadi Centres.

Our Vision

Comprehensive interventions for healthy childhoods.

Safe, healthy and joyful learning spaces for children.

Refurbishment & WASH Infrastructure

Safe, clean and functional spaces for all.

Refurbished child-friendly Anganwadi building

Child-Friendly Learning Environment (BALA)

Joyful and interactive learning spaces.

Colourful Anganwadi learning room

Interior Upgradation

Safe, comfortable and engaging interiors.

Upgraded Anganwadi classroom interior

Kitchen, Toilets & Washrooms Renovation

Hygienic facilities for better health and dignity.

Before and after renovation of an Anganwadi washroom

Green & Outdoor Play Area

Safe outdoor spaces for play, creativity and growth.

Green outdoor play space at an Anganwadi Centre

Healthy Child, Educated Child, Empowered Nation.

स्वस्थ बच्चा, शिक्षित बच्चा, सशक्त बच्चा !

Implementation Pathway

Bridging the Gap.

Anganwadi Centres will be graded using a standardised framework aligned with the Government of India’s norms and quality indicators.

Assess each Anganwadi Centre

Assess each Anganwadi Centre will be under the Saksham Anganwadi & POSHAN 2.0.

Existing Anganwadi Centre with children and staff

Grade through a standardised framework

Anganwadi Centres will be graded using a standardised framework aligned with the Government of India’s norms and quality indicators.

Before and after classroom learning environment

Upgrade infrastructure and resources

Upgrade Infrastructure and learning resources according to the identified needs of each Anganwadi Centre.

Before and after upgrade of an Anganwadi classroom

Monitor progress and service quality

The progress of upgraded Anganwadi Centres will be regularly monitored to ensure sustained improvements in infrastructure, learning environment, and service quality.

Children arriving at an upgraded Anganwadi Centre
Key Project Outcomes

A one-time investment with lasting outcomes.

A one-time investment that builds safe spaces, nurtures childhoods and strengthens communities.

Illustration of a child-friendly Anganwadi Centre

100% of supported Anganwadi Centres upgraded with need-based infrastructure.

100% of supported centres equipped with improved drinking water, toilet/washroom.

100% of supported centres provided with child-friendly learning environments.

100% of supported centres strengthened with improved kitchen infrastructure.

Constructed Anganwadi that will continue serving communities for next 10-15 years.

Strengthened Early Childhood Care & Education through Smart TVs.

Adarsh Anganwadi Project

Together, We Can Build a Better Tomorrow.

Upgrading Anganwadis is not just an infrastructure project - it is an investment in India’s future. Let’s create lasting change, one Anganwadi at a time.

A completed Adarsh Anganwadi Centre with solar power and play equipment

A Collective Responsibility

Every child deserves a safe, nurturing and empowering start in life.

A Strategic Investment

Stronger Anganwadis lead to healthier children, better learning and stronger communities.

A Scalable Solution

A phased, data-driven and collaborative approach ensures measurable impact and long-term sustainability.

A Shared Vision

Together, we can build an India where every child has the foundation to thrive and lead.