Which of the following is the recommended daily supplementary nutrition dose for a child aged 2 years under ICDS in India?

Explanation

## ICDS Supplementary Nutrition Dosage **Key Point:** Under the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) program in India, the recommended daily supplementary nutrition for children aged 6 months to 6 years is **400 kcal and 10–12 g of protein**, provided over 300 days per year. ### Nutritional Requirements Under ICDS | Beneficiary | Daily Kcal | Daily Protein (g) | Duration | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Children (6 months–6 years) | 400 | 10–12 | 300 days/year | | Severely malnourished children | 600 | 16–20 | 300 days/year | | Pregnant & Lactating women | 500 | 20–25 | 300 days/year | | Adolescent girls (11–18 yrs) | 500 | 20–25 | 300 days/year | *(Source: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th edition; ICDS operational guidelines)* **High-Yield:** The figure of **400 kcal and 10–12 g protein** for children under 6 years is the standard tested in PSM/Community Medicine examinations. The 500 kcal / 12–15 g figure applies to pregnant and lactating women, not to children in the 6-month to 6-year age group. ### Why Option C (500 kcal / 12–15 g) is Incorrect - 500 kcal and 12–15 g protein is the supplementary nutrition norm for **pregnant and lactating women** under ICDS, not for children aged 6 months to 6 years. - Confusing these two beneficiary categories is a common exam trap. ### Delivery Mechanisms 1. **Take-Home Ration (THR)** — fortified food items provided to caregivers for home consumption. 2. **Hot cooked meals** — served at Anganwadi centers. 3. **Micronutrient fortification** — iron, iodine, vitamin A, and vitamin D added to prevent deficiency diseases. **Clinical Pearl:** The supplementary nutrition under ICDS is designed to bridge the gap between the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and typical household intake in low-income populations — it complements, rather than replaces, the household diet. The 300-day delivery schedule accounts for seasonal variation and practical implementation constraints.