Anganwadi Sevika Recruitment 2026: Latest Vacancies, Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Anganwadi Sevika & Sahayika Jobs 2026: A Comprehensive Guide

The Anganwadi Sevika and Sahayika roles are integral to India's welfare programs, focusing on maternal and child health, nutrition, and early childhood education. For aspiring government job seekers, these positions offer a chance to serve the community while securing a stable career. Here, we detail the essential information for Anganwadi Sevika vacancies in 2026.

Job Profile & Responsibilities

The Anganwadi Sevika acts as the primary functionary at the Anganwadi centre. Their duties are multifaceted and community-oriented:

• Health Monitoring: Tracking the growth of children (0-6 years), identifying malnutrition, and referring severe cases.
• Nutrition Services: Distributing supplementary nutrition to children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Health & Nutrition Education: Conducting awareness sessions for mothers on health, hygiene, immunisation, and family planning.
• Pre-School Education: Imparting non-formal pre-school education to children aged 3-6 years.
• Record Keeping: Maintaining registers for attendance, services provided, stock of supplies, etc.
• Coordination: Liaising with health workers (ASHA, ANM) for immunisation and other health-related activities.
• Community Mobilisation: Encouraging community participation in ICDS activities.

Anganwadi Sahayikas primarily assist the Sevika in carrying out these duties, including facility management and service delivery support.

Eligibility Criteria (Detailed)

The eligibility criteria can vary significantly from one state to another and even district to district, as recruitment is often decentralized. However, common requirements include:

• Educational Qualification: Typically, a minimum of 10th pass (Matriculation) or 12th pass (Intermediate) is required for the Sevika role. For Sahayika, 8th pass or 10th pass might be sufficient. Specific states may require higher qualifications.
• Age Limit: Usually between 18 to 35 years. Age relaxations are provided for SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories as per government rules. The upper age limit for widows or destitute women might be higher in some states.
• Domicile: Candidates must usually be residents of the concerned district or village where the Anganwadi centre is located.
• Marital Status: In some notifications, married women are preferred, though this is becoming less common. Widows often have specific relaxations or preferences.
• Skills: While specific technical skills are generally not mandated, the ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in the local language is essential. Basic computer literacy is increasingly preferred.
• Physical Fitness: Candidates must be physically fit to carry out the duties.

Selection Process & Exam Pattern

The selection process is typically administered at the district or sub-district level by the respective Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) or equivalent authorities. It usually comprises the following stages:

1. Application Submission: Interested candidates submit offline or online applications as per the official notification.
2. Shortlisting: Applications are shortlisted based on eligibility criteria, with weightage given to qualifications and sometimes weightage for higher qualifications.
3. Merit List/Interview: A merit list is prepared based on marks obtained in the qualifying examination (e.g., 10th, 12th). In many cases, a personal interview is conducted to assess communication skills, general awareness, and suitability for the role. Some states might conduct a written examination covering General Knowledge, Local Affairs, Child Development & Nutrition, and Hindi/Regional Language.
4. Document Verification: Successful candidates undergo verification of original documents.
5. Final Selection: Based on overall performance in the selection stages.

Likely Syllabus Topics (if written exam): General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Elementary Mathematics, Reasoning, Hindi/Regional Language, Child Development & Nutrition (ICDS scheme related topics).

Salary Structure & Allowances

Anganwadi Sevika and Sahayika roles are government positions, offering job security. The remuneration is generally categorized as an honorarium or comes under specific pay scales defined by state governments.

• Anganwadi Sevika: Typically falls under a Pay Level comparable to Group 'C' or equivalent, with a starting salary often ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per month, depending on the state and Pay Commission recommendations. This often includes a basic pay component plus admissible allowances.
• Anganwadi Sahayika: Receives an honorarium which is generally lower than that of a Sevika, perhaps in the range of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per month.

Allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA) may be applicable as per state government rules, though often the remuneration is consolidated.

How to Apply (Specific Guidance)

Recruitment for Anganwadi Sevika and Sahayika positions is predominantly handled at the district or block level by the respective State Government's Department of Women and Child Development or specific ICDS projects. There is no single central recruitment board.

• Notification Source: Keep a close watch on the official websites of the State Departments of Women and Child Development (e.g., Maharashtra WCD, Tamil Nadu Social Welfare, UP WCD), and district administration websites. Notifications are also often published in local newspapers and employment news.
• Application Mode: Applications are typically submitted offline (by post or in person) at the designated office (e.g., District Programme Officer's office). However, some states may adopt online application portals.
• Key Information: Always refer to the official notification for exact application dates, required documents, application format, and the specific address for submission.

Preparation Tips

• Understand the Role: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the ICDS scheme, its objectives, and the responsibilities of an Anganwadi Worker.
• Local Language Proficiency: Ensure strong command over the regional language, as it is crucial for communication and record-keeping.
• General Awareness: Study current affairs, especially those related to social welfare schemes, women and child development, and health.
• Basic Education: Revise subjects from your qualifying examination level (e.g., Maths, Hindi/Regional Language for 10th/12th pass).
• Nutrition & Health: Basic knowledge of nutrition, common health issues, and the importance of immunisation is beneficial.
• Study Material: Refer to NCERT books for elementary education subjects, and reputable general knowledge books. Previous year papers, if available for specific state tests, can be very helpful.