The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), in collaboration with the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education (MoE), has released the Guidelines for Co-location of Anganwadi Centres with Schools on 3rd September 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was graced by Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, and Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, alongside senior officials from MoWCD and MoE, representatives from States and Union Territories, and Anganwadi workers.
One Campus, One Vision: Anganwadi and School Integration
The new guidelines mark a transformative step in realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “From Anganwadi to school – one campus, one vision” for a Viksit Bharat. The initiative emphasizes the critical role of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in shaping India’s human capital by integrating Anganwadi Centres with schools on the same campus.
Currently, more than 2.9 lakh Anganwadi Centres are already co-located within school premises. These guidelines provide operational clarity and strategic direction to States and Union Territories to scale up this integrated model effectively.
Strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education
Speaking at the launch, Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi underlined that the co-location of Anganwadis with schools will strengthen the foundation of children’s learning journeys, ensuring a smooth transition from early childhood care to formal schooling. She stressed that the model contributes to the holistic development of children, supporting their health, nutrition, and education needs in one ecosystem.
She further emphasized that these guidelines will serve as a roadmap for States and UTs to expand this integrated approach, thereby fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of nurturing a healthy, educated, and empowered young generation.
Building Human Capital for a Viksit Bharat
In his address, Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that early childhood education is the bedrock of lifelong learning. By integrating Anganwadis with schools, children will benefit from a seamless and enabling learning environment from the very beginning.
He added that this collaboration between MoWCD and MoE will not only strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) but also play a crucial role in nurturing India’s future human capital, contributing directly to the vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat).
Inter-Ministerial Convergence for Child Development
The release of these guidelines underscores the importance of inter-ministerial convergence, where MoWCD and MoE jointly work to ensure holistic development and quality education for every child. The guidelines also encourage States and UTs to build upon existing models and create child-friendly campuses that address nutrition, health, and education together.
With this initiative, the government reinforces its commitment to integrated child development and to building a strong foundation for India’s demographic dividend.
The Guidelines for Co-location of Anganwadi Centres with Schools are expected to accelerate efforts in early childhood education, foundational learning, and human capital development, making them a cornerstone of India’s journey toward a Viksit Bharat, for more details CLICK HERE
