Context:
The United Nations’ recognition of care work as a cornerstone of social and economic development has renewed attention on childcare workers globally. In India, this brings the spotlight back on the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Anganwadi workers, who form the backbone of early childhood care for vulnerable and marginalised children. Despite their critical role, childcare systems in India face challenges arising from low wages, gendered unpaid care burdens, climate change impacts, and rapid urbanisation.
Key Highlights:
Global Recognition of Care Work
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The UN General Assembly declared October 29 as the International Day of Care and Support.
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It acknowledges care policies as essential for:
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Human capital formation
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Gender equality
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Inclusive and sustainable development
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India’s Childcare Architecture
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ICDS, launched in 1975, is one of the world’s largest early childhood development programmes.
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It operates through nearly 1.4 million Anganwadi centres.
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The programme is rooted in the 1972 Mina Swaminathan Report, which advocated a holistic approach to child health, nutrition, and development.
Gender Dimension of Care Work
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The Time Use in India Survey 2024 reveals that women spend 426 minutes per day on unpaid domestic and care work.
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This highlights:
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Persistent gender inequality
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Constraints on women’s labour force participation
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Challenges Facing Childcare Workers
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Low remuneration:
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Anganwadi and care workers earn only ₹8,000–₹15,000 per month in many states.
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Urban exclusion:
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Only 10% of Anganwadi centres function in urban areas, leaving migrant and informal-sector families underserved.
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Nutrition crisis:
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Merely 11% of children aged 6–23 months receive a minimum acceptable diet, affecting cognitive development.
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Emerging Stressors
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Climate change disproportionately affects poor women and children, increasing health risks and care demands.
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Rapid urbanisation strains existing childcare infrastructure.
Recognition and Policy Advocacy
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The India Childcare Champion Awards 2025 honoured frontline childcare workers and organisations.
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Experts recommend increasing public investment in childcare to 1–1.5% of GDP, in line with Scandinavian welfare models, to universalise quality care.
Relevant Prelims Points:
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Issue: Chronic undervaluation and underinvestment in childcare and care workers.
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Causes:
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Gendered division of labour
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Low fiscal priority to social infrastructure
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Urban bias in welfare delivery
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Government Initiatives:
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ICDS Scheme
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Anganwadi services covering nutrition, immunisation, and early childhood education
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Benefits:
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Improved child health and learning outcomes
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Higher female workforce participation
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Long-term human capital development
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Challenges:
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Low wages and job insecurity
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Climate vulnerability
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Urban migrant exclusion
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Impact:
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Weak childcare systems undermine demographic dividend potential
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Relevant Mains Points:
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Key Concepts Explained:
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ICDS: A flagship scheme for holistic child development
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Anganwadi: Grassroots childcare and nutrition delivery unit
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SDGs Linked: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Health), SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
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Static + Conceptual Linkages:
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Care economy as social infrastructure
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Gender justice and inclusive growth
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Governance Concerns:
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Informalisation of care work
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Poor urban coverage
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Way Forward:
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Professionalise and adequately remunerate childcare workers
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Expand urban Anganwadi coverage
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Invest in climate-resilient childcare infrastructure
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Increase public spending to 1–1.5% of GDP
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Recognise childcare as a productive economic investment, not welfare alone
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UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS 1: Indian society, gender roles, care economy
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GS 2: Social justice, ICDS, governance and welfare delivery
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GS 2 (Prelims): UN observances, government schemes