For Prelims: Anganwadi Centre, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), VB-Giramji Yojana, Nodal Department, Funding Scheme, Target Location, Current Context
For Mains: Co-location, infrastructure convergence, early childhood education, VB-Giramji Yojana
Source:Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Bihar government to build Anganwadi centres in government school premises.
- Construction will be funded by the VB-Giramji Yojana.
- The decision applies to primary and middle schools.
- The directive was jointly issued by Rural Development and Education Departments.
- The move targets areas lacking adequate land for Anganwadis.
Why in the news?
The Bihar government has decided to construct Anganwadi centre buildings within the premises of government primary and middle schools, using funds from the VB-Giramji scheme. This will be done in areas where adequate, dispute-free land for Anganwadis is unavailable.
Summary
- Bihar government to build Anganwadi buildings inside government primary and middle school campuses.
- Construction will be funded through the VB-Giramji scheme.
- Priority will be given to school premises in areas lacking sufficient, dispute-free land for Anganwadis.
Highlights
School-Anganwadi Integration
Bihar government will construct Anganwadi buildings within government primary and middle school premises to solve land availability issues.
Funding via VB-Giramji Scheme
The construction will be financed through the VB-Giramji Yojana, a state scheme for rural infrastructure.
Joint Administrative Directive
The decision was communicated through a joint order from the Additional Chief Secretaries of the Rural Development and Education Departments.
Background
Anganwadi centres are the frontline of India's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, providing nutrition, pre-school education and health check-ups to children under 6 and pregnant/lactating women. In rural Bihar, many areas lack suitable government land for constructing standalone Anganwadi buildings, forcing centres to operate from rented or makeshift premises.
Key Analysis and Impact
By co-locating Anganwadis with schools, the Bihar government aims to reduce infrastructure costs and improve service delivery. School premises typically have available land and existing facilities. This integration can also facilitate smoother transitions for children from Anganwadi to formal schooling, improving early childhood education outcomes. The move leverages the VB-Giramji scheme, a state rural infrastructure programme.
Bihar connection
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Anganwadi Centre
- A community-based centre under the ICDS scheme providing nutrition, pre-school education and health services to children (0-6 years) and pregnant/lactating women.
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- A centrally sponsored scheme launched in 1975, implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, to address malnutrition and early childhood development.
- VB-Giramji Yojana
- A Bihar state government scheme focused on rural infrastructure development, including construction of community assets.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: Anganwadi buildings to be built in government primary and middle school premises in Bihar
- Nodal Body: Rural Development Department, Bihar
Don't make this mistake!
The trap will be to confuse the funding scheme (VB-Giramji Yojana) with a central scheme like ICDS or PM Awas Yojana. Remember, VB-Giramji is a Bihar state scheme.
Write these in mains answers
- Co-location, infrastructure convergence, early childhood education, VB-Giramji Yojana
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Anganwadi centres provide nutrition and pre-school education to young children. In many parts of Bihar, there is no suitable government land to build them. The state government now says they can be built inside government school campuses instead, using money from the VB-Giramji scheme.
- Bihar government to build Anganwadi centres in government school premises.
- Construction will be funded by the VB-Giramji Yojana.
- The decision applies to primary and middle schools.
- The directive was jointly issued by Rural Development and Education Departments.
- The move targets areas lacking adequate land for Anganwadis.
- Governance: State government schemes and policies
- Society: Child development and welfare programmes
Related concepts: Anganwadi Centre, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), VB-Giramji Yojana
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Under which scheme will the construction of Anganwadi buildings in Bihar school premises be funded?
Explanation: The Bihar government has decided to fund the construction through the VB-Giramji Yojana, a state-level rural infrastructure scheme. PM Awas Yojana is for housing, ICDS is the central scheme for Anganwadis, and Samagra Shiksha is for school education.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the Bihar government's decision:
- 1.Anganwadi buildings will be constructed in government primary and middle school premises.
- 2.The construction will be funded by the central government under the ICDS scheme.
- 3.The directive was issued jointly by the Rural Development and Education Departments.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the decision applies to government primary and middle school premises. Statement 2 is incorrect because funding is from the state's VB-Giramji scheme, not the central ICDS scheme. Statement 3 is correct as the order was issued jointly by the Additional Chief Secretaries of both departments.
- Q3Medium
Which two departments of the Bihar government jointly issued the directive for building Anganwadi centres in school premises?
Explanation: The joint directive was issued by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Rural Development Department and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of co-locating Anganwadi centres within school premises?
Explanation: The decision specifically targets areas where sufficient, dispute-free land for Anganwadis is unavailable. By using school premises, the government addresses this land constraint. It does not aim to reduce school buildings, merge staff or increase the education budget.
Frequently asked questions
1. Where will Anganwadi buildings be constructed in Bihar?
Anganwadi buildings will be constructed within the premises of government primary and middle schools in Bihar.
2. Which scheme will fund the construction of Anganwadi buildings in Bihar schools?
The construction will be funded by the VB-Giramji Yojana, a Bihar state rural infrastructure scheme.
3. Which departments issued the directive for this decision?
The joint directive was issued by the Additional Chief Secretaries of the Rural Development Department and the Education Department of Bihar.
All sources
Original10 November 2026 · Read story

