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, age-appropriate 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.

2. 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 Stimulation’. 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’.
3. 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.

4. 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.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurna Devi in Lok Sabha in reply to a question today.

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