What Government Said About Anganwadi Centre Funding
New Delhi, March 19, 2025: The Indian government has outlined its funding strategy for maintaining Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) across the country, stating that financial support is provided under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0. Responding to a Rajya Sabha query raised by MP Dr. M. Thambidurai, the Ministry of Women and Child Development confirmed that funds are allocated to all states and Union Territories under a General component, which includes maintenance expenses for these centres.
According to Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, there are 13,99,890 operational Anganwadi Centres nationwide, with Uttar Pradesh having the highest number at 1,89,140, followed by West Bengal (1,19,481) and Bihar (1,15,017). The minister provided state-wise and year-wise details of funds allocated for their upkeep.
Addressing concerns about inadequate infrastructure, the government acknowledged that many AWCs lack proper buildings. To address this, under the 15th Finance Commission cycle, two lakh Anganwadi Centres are being upgraded as Saksham Anganwadis, at a rate of 40,000 per year. These modernised centres will be equipped with LED screens, water purifiers, nutrition gardens (Poshan Vatika), and child-friendly learning spaces, including ECCE and BALA paintings.
Additionally, from the financial year 2021–22, the government has been constructing 50,000 AWC buildings over five years, at a rate of 10,000 per year. The funding for each centre is ₹12 lakh, with ₹8 lakh from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), ₹2 lakh from the 15th Finance Commission or other untied funds, and ₹2 lakh from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, shared between the Centre and states. Separate provisions of ₹36,000 per centre for toilet construction and ₹17,000 for drinking water facilities have also been approved.
To further strengthen the infrastructure, the government has decided to upgrade all Mini Anganwadi Centres by adding one additional worker and helper. States and Union Territories have been directed to co-locate AWCs running in rented spaces with insufficient facilities within nearby primary schools where space permits.
The government is also focusing on tribal regions under the PM JANMAN Mission, which aims to develop 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 states and one Union Territory. As part of this mission, 2,500 Anganwadi Centres will be constructed between 2023 and 2026 at ₹12 lakh per centre. Additionally, under the Dharti Aaba Janjati Gram Unnat Abhiyan (DAJGUA), 2,000 new Saksham AWCs will be set up, while 6,000 existing AWCs will be upgraded between 2024 and 2029.
