ICDS Recruitment 2026: Latest Vacancies, Syllabus & Exam Pattern

ICDS Recruitment 2026: Comprehensive Guide

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is a vital government initiative focused on early childhood care and development. Each year, various state governments and district administrations release notifications for ICDS positions such as Anganwadi Workers, Helpers, Supervisors, and CDPOs. If you are aspiring for a government job in this sector, understanding the recruitment process for 2026 is paramount.

Job Profile & Responsibilities

The specific duties vary significantly based on the role:

• Anganwadi Worker/Helper: Primarily involved in delivering basic healthcare, nutrition, and early childhood education services at the Anganwadi centre. This includes conducting health check-ups, administering supplementary nutrition, promoting immunization, and pre-school education for children aged 3-6 years. They also counsel mothers on health and nutrition.
• Supervisor (SI): Oversees the functioning of a cluster of Anganwadi centres. Responsibilities include monitoring the activities of Anganwadi workers, ensuring proper implementation of schemes, conducting inspections, maintaining records, and reporting to the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO).
• Child Development Project Officer (CDPO): Manages the overall implementation of ICDS projects within a specific block or sub-division. This involves planning, coordinating, supervising, and monitoring the activities of supervisors and Anganwadi centres under their charge, along with administrative and financial management.

Eligibility Criteria (Detailed)

While exact criteria are released with specific notifications, general eligibility includes:

• Educational Qualification:
  • Anganwadi Helper: Typically 8th or 10th pass.
  • Anganwadi Worker: Usually 10th or 12th pass, sometimes graduation for specific rural/urban divisions.
  • Supervisor: Minimum 12th pass or Graduation (depending on state/post).
  • CDPO: Graduation degree from a recognized university.
• Age Limit: Generally between 18 to 30/35 years. Age relaxations are applicable for SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories as per government norms. Minimum age for CDPO is usually 21 years.
• Domicile: Candidates are usually required to be residents of the district or state from where they are applying. For Anganwadi Worker/Helper, residence within the Anganwadi ward/village is often mandatory.
• Technical Skills: No specific technical skills are usually required for Anganwadi Worker/Helper roles, but computer knowledge might be an added advantage for Supervisor and CDPO positions.

Selection Process & Exam Pattern

The selection process typically comprises multiple stages, varying by role and recruiting authority:

• Written Examination: For Supervisor and CDPO roles, a written test is common. The syllabus usually includes General Knowledge, Hindi/Regional Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Child Development & Nutrition.
• Merit List: For Anganwadi Worker/Helper, selection is often based on a merit list prepared from marks obtained in 10th/12th standard examinations, sometimes with weightage for higher qualifications or specific local criteria.
• Interview/Counselling: Shortlisted candidates for Supervisor and CDPO roles may undergo an interview or document verification/counselling session.
• Skill Test: Not typically required for these roles.

Exam Pattern (General for Written Tests):

• Objective Type Questions (MCQs).
• Sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Language (Hindi/English), and relevant subject knowledge (Child Development, Nutrition, Social Work etc.).
• Duration and Number of Questions vary by notification.

Salary Structure & Allowances

Salaries for ICDS posts are determined by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) and state government directives. While the exact figures vary by post and location:

• Basic Pay: Starts from around Rs. 4,440 for Helpers and can go up to Rs. 44,900 or higher for CDPOs.
• Grade Pay: Applicable for certain posts, adding to the basic pay.
• Allowances: Candidates are eligible for Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other allowances as per government rules, significantly increasing the in-hand salary.
• Pension: Government employees are usually covered under the National Pension System (NPS).

How to Apply (Specific)

Applications for ICDS positions are typically invited through district-level or state-level notifications:

• Anganwadi Worker/Helper: Notifications are usually released by the District Programme Officer (DPO) or local ICDS units. Interested candidates must check the official websites of their respective District Collectorates, District Panchayats, or the State ICDS/Women and Child Development Departments. Application forms are often offline (benzoic) but sometimes online.
• Supervisor/CDPO: Recruitment for these higher posts is often conducted by the State Public Service Commissions (e.g., UPPSC, MPSC, WBPSC) or by the State ICDS departments directly. Candidates need to visit the official websites of these respective recruiting bodies to find the active notifications and apply online or offline as specified.

Preparation Tips for ICDS Exams

• Focus on Core Subjects: Thoroughly study Child Development, Nutrition, Health, Indian Social Problems, and government schemes related to women and children.
• Practice Previous Papers: Analyzing past question papers can provide insights into the exam pattern and important topics.
• Stay Updated: Keep abreast of current affairs and government policies impacting women and child welfare.
• Regional Language Proficiency: Ensure strong command over the regional language specified in the syllabus.
• Reference Books: Utilize standard textbooks for NCERT-level academic subjects, and specific guides for ICDS-related topics.