The paper broadly aims to examine the contribution of ICDS programme in improving the well-being of its beneficiaries. Using Punjab as a case study, it looks at the progress in beneficiary coverage and the nutritional status of children below 6 years of age. Scientific evidence shows that early childhood growth depends heavily on a loving, safe, and nurturing environment along with adequate nutrition. Nearly 80 per cent of brain development takes place by the age of three.

The findings show that ICDS has played a positive role in improving both nutrition and pre-school education for young children. Punjab has made faster progress compared to the national average.  As per NFHS-5 (2020–21), India’s malnutrition rate is more than double that of Punjab. However, universal coverage of ICDS services in Punjab remains far from achieved. More than half of the eligible population is still not receiving ICDS benefits. Low coverage is associated to individual-level factors (such as status consciousness and preference for private pre-schooling) as well as policy gaps (inadequate and irregular supply of SNP, poor infrastructure, etc.). To build trust among uncovered beneficiaries, the government needs to address these policy-level challenges. Ensuring healthy childhood growth is essential for India to convert its demographic advantage into meaningful economic development.