The target beneficiaries of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are

Correct option is D

The target beneficiaries of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) include:
· Children 0–6 years of age: Providing nutrition, health services, and early childhood education.
· Pregnant mothers: Offering nutrition supplements, health check-ups, and education to ensure proper maternal and child health.
· Lactating mothers: Ensuring they receive necessary nutritional support and health education.
Therefore, the beneficiaries are not just limited to one group but include both pregnant mothers and lactating mothers, as well as children aged 0–6 years.
Information Booster: ICDS is an essential program initiated by the Indian government to address the nutritional and health needs of children and mothers. The scheme provides nutritional supplementation, immunization, health care, and early childhood education. The main goal is to promote integrated child development, focusing on infants, children, and mothers to improve overall health outcomes and reduce child malnutrition.
Additional Knowledge on Incorrect Options:
· Only pregnant mothers (Option A): This is incorrect, as the ICDS also targets children 0–6 years and lactating mothers, not just pregnant mothers.
· Children 0–6 years of age and pregnant mothers (Option B): This is partially correct, but it misses lactating mothers who are also key beneficiaries of ICDS.
· Children 0–6 years of age, pregnant and lactating mothers (Option C): This is correct, but it is included in More than one of the above (Option D).
· None of the above (Option E): This is incorrect, as ICDS targets children 0–6 years of age, pregnant and lactating mothers.