JAMMU, February 22, 2026 : Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level meeting to review the framework and proposed interventions for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in Jammu and Kashmir, stressing a time-bound, outcome-driven “Whole-of-Government” approach to transform Anganwadi Centres into vibrant hubs of holistic child development.
Emphasising the critical role of early childhood development in the context of the National Education Policy and the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Chief Secretary said sustainable national development is impossible without strategic investment in children. Describing children as the “real wealth of a nation,” he underlined that quality human capital begins with timely nutrition, care and foundational learning.
He directed all departments to work in close coordination with clear goals and strict timelines to achieve measurable gains in nutrition, school readiness and foundational learning outcomes.
The meeting was attended by senior officers including Commissioner Secretaries of GAD and Social Welfare, Project Director Samagra Shiksha, MD Mission Poshan, MD JKRLM, Directors of School Education (Jammu/Kashmir) and other stakeholders.
The Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare, Sarmad Hafeez informed that ECCE services are currently being delivered through 28,190 Anganwadi Centres across the UT, integrating preschool education (3–6 years), supplementary nutrition, immunisation, growth monitoring, early detection of developmental delays and inclusive services for Divyang children. The pedagogical framework is anchored in Navchetna (0–3 years) and Aadharshila (3–6 years), focusing on play-based, activity-oriented learning across cognitive, language, socio-emotional, physical and cultural domains.
MD Mission Poshan, Sajad Hussain Ganai, highlighted that inter-departmental convergence is a key pillar of the ECCE roadmap. With the Health Department, integrated home visits by AWWs and ASHAs, ECD-focused VHSNDs, co-counselling sessions and developmental delay screening mechanisms have been institutionalised.
He further informed that 100% mapping of Anganwadi Centres with nearby primary schools has been completed, with 657 AWCs identified for co-location, ensuring a seamless transition from preschool to Grade 1 and alignment with NIPUN Bharat Mission goals. Innovative mentorship models linking Anganwadis with primary schools and internship programmes engaging university students as Poshan Mitras and ECCE interns are also being rolled out.
Digital transformation forms another major pillar, with QR-enabled Anganwadi profiling, the One Child, One Card initiative and integration with Poshan Tracker, RCH and UDISE platforms to streamline monitoring and service delivery. Under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, APAAR IDs are being generated for preschool children, with 94% Aadhaar seeding already achieved and full saturation targeted by March 2026.
To enhance transparency and community ownership, District-Level Monitoring Committees and a biannual Social Audit framework involving PRIs, SHGs, Mahila Mandals and parents will be instituted. Regular community-based events under POSHAN Abhiyaan—including Godhbharai, Annaprashan, Pratham Diwas and Vidyarambh—will promote behavioural change and parental engagement.
The meeting also reviewed best practices such as Poshan on Wheels, doorstep service delivery, on-the-spot registration under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Aadhaar generation and screening for malnutrition and developmental delays. Capacity building under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi has strengthened play-way pedagogy and digital skills of Anganwadi staff, with Round-II training to conclude by FY 2026–27.
Reiterating that early childhood investment is foundational to a developed and inclusive Jammu & Kashmir, the Chief Secretary called upon all stakeholders to work in mission mode and deliver tangible outcomes within defined timelines.
