JK Anganwadi Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline for 600+ Anganwadi Helpers and Workers Posts

ICDS JK Anganwadi Recruitment 2026 Overview

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Department of Social Welfare, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, has announced a major recruitment drive for over 600 Anganwadi Helper and Anganwadi Worker positions across various districts of the Union Territory. This recruitment provides an excellent opportunity for women candidates from Jammu and Kashmir to secure government positions and contribute to the welfare of children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers in their communities.

The ICDS scheme is one of the world's largest and most unique programs for early childhood care and development. It represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenge of providing pre-school non-formal education, supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-ups, and referral services to children under 6 years, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Anganwadi Workers and Helpers are the backbone of this program, working directly at the grassroots level to ensure effective implementation of ICDS services.

This recruitment notification has been issued by various District Programme Officers (DPOs) and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) across different districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The vacancies are district-specific, and candidates must apply to the concerned district authorities where vacancies have been notified. The positions offer monthly honorarium as per government norms and provide an opportunity to serve the community while earning a steady income.

Comprehensive Vacancy Details

The total number of vacancies is approximately 600+ positions distributed across multiple districts of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. The exact number of vacancies varies by district and is mentioned in individual district advertisements. Major districts participating in this recruitment include Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Samba, Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwar, and Doda.

The vacancies are divided into two main categories: Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers. Anganwadi Workers are responsible for conducting pre-school activities, maintaining records, organizing immunization sessions, distributing supplementary nutrition, and acting as a link between the community and health/ICDS services. Anganwadi Helpers assist Workers in their duties, including preparation and distribution of food, maintaining cleanliness at the Anganwadi center, and supporting nutrition and health activities.

Category-wise reservation is applicable as per Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules including reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Residents of Backward Area (RBA), Actual Line of Control (ALC), OSC (Other Special Categories), and Pahari Speaking People (PSP) as per applicable government policies. Women candidates are given preference for these positions as Anganwadi centers primarily deal with women and child welfare.

Educational Qualification Requirements

For Anganwadi Worker positions, candidates must have passed 12th class (10+2/Intermediate) from a recognized Board or University. Preference is given to candidates who possess higher educational qualifications or relevant diploma/certificate courses in early childhood care, nutrition, health education, or related fields. Some districts may require additional qualifications such as basic computer knowledge or awareness of ICDS schemes and government welfare programs.

For Anganwadi Helper positions, the minimum educational qualification is passing 10th class (Matriculation) from a recognized Board. In some districts, even 8th class pass candidates may be eligible if they meet other criteria and belong to specified categories. However, 10th class pass candidates are generally given preference over 8th class pass candidates during merit determination.

All educational certificates must be from recognized Boards or Universities approved by the Government. Distance education or correspondence degrees are generally accepted if obtained from institutions recognized by Distance Education Council (DEC) or University Grants Commission (UGC). Candidates must have valid mark sheets and certificates to prove their educational qualifications.

In addition to formal education, candidates must possess local area knowledge, understanding of community needs, ability to communicate effectively with beneficiaries, and willingness to work in rural or remote areas. Knowledge of local language (Urdu/Hindi/Kashmiri/Dogri/Pahari as applicable) is essential for effective communication with beneficiaries.

Age Limit and Relaxations

The age limit for Anganwadi Worker and Helper positions is minimum 18 years and maximum 37 years. The age is calculated as on a specific cut-off date mentioned in individual district advertisements (usually the last date of application submission or January 1st of the recruitment year). Candidates must have been born within the prescribed age bracket to be eligible.

Upper age relaxation is provided to reserved category candidates as per J&K Government rules. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates get 5 years of age relaxation, while Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates receive 3 years of relaxation. Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates may also be entitled to age relaxation as per applicable government orders.

Additional age relaxation is provided to Women candidates (all categories) - typically 5 years over and above the general age limit. Persons with Disabilities (PwD) with 40% or more disability get 10 years of age relaxation, which is cumulative with caste-based relaxation subject to maximum limits. Widows, divorced women, and women judicially separated from husbands may also get age relaxation as per specific provisions.

Candidates claiming age relaxation must produce valid certificates issued by competent authorities as prescribed by the J&K Government. The date of birth as recorded in the Matriculation (10th class) certificate will be considered final for age determination. No subsequent request for correction in date of birth will be entertained at any stage of the recruitment process.

Monthly Honorarium and Benefits

Anganwadi Workers receive a monthly honorarium as per the rates fixed by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Ministry of Women and Child Development. The current monthly honorarium for Anganwadi Workers ranges from approximately Rs. 6,000/- to Rs. 10,000/- depending on the location (plain area or hilly/tribal area) and type of Anganwadi center (main center or mini center).

Anganwadi Helpers receive a monthly honorarium ranging from approximately Rs. 3,000/- to Rs. 5,500/- depending on similar criteria. The exact honorarium amount is subject to periodic revision by the government and may include additional incentives for performance-based activities such as ensuring full immunization coverage, reducing malnutrition, promoting institutional deliveries, and maintaining excellent center records.

In addition to monthly honorarium, Anganwadi functionaries are entitled to various benefits including incentives for specific achievements (like zero malnutrition in their area, 100% institutional deliveries, complete immunization), annual increment in honorarium as per government policy, provision of uniform/sarees for special occasions, and training opportunities for skill enhancement and professional development.

Workers and Helpers may also receive insurance coverage under government schemes for accidental death or disability occurring while on duty. Some states provide health insurance and mediclaim benefits. After a certain period of service, there may be provisions for recognition awards, long service awards, and retirement benefits as per applicable government schemes for Anganwadi functionaries.

Roles and Responsibilities

Anganwadi Worker Duties: Survey of families to identify beneficiaries; maintaining registers and records of beneficiaries; conducting pre-school education activities for children aged 3-6 years; organizing supplementary nutrition program and ensuring distribution of take-home rations; conducting monthly Village Health and Nutrition Day (VHND); facilitating immunization sessions; promoting institutional deliveries and antenatal care; counseling mothers on nutrition, health, and hygiene; referring malnourished children and sick beneficiaries to health facilities; and acting as a link between the community and health/ICDS services.

Anganwadi Helper Duties: Assisting the Anganwadi Worker in all activities; maintaining cleanliness and hygiene at the Anganwadi center; assisting in preparation and serving of supplementary nutrition; helping in organizing VHND and immunization sessions; supporting pre-school education activities; assisting in home visits to beneficiaries; helping in record maintenance; and ensuring proper storage and safety of food grains, medicines, and other materials at the center.

Selection Procedure

The selection process for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers is conducted at the district level by the concerned District Programme Officers (Social Welfare) or Child Development Project Officers. The process typically involves scrutiny of applications to verify eligibility criteria, preparation of a merit list based on educational qualifications and other prescribed criteria, and interview or interaction with shortlisted candidates (in some districts).

Merit determination is usually based on educational qualifications (marks obtained in the qualifying examination), preference to local residents of the specific Anganwadi catchment area, preference to widows or women from economically weaker sections, and marks for additional qualifications or experience in social work, child care, or health education.

Some districts may conduct a written test or knowledge test on ICDS schemes, child nutrition, health and hygiene, and general awareness. Document verification is mandatory where all original certificates including educational qualifications, age proof, caste certificate, domicile certificate, and other relevant documents are thoroughly checked. The final selection is based on the merit list prepared after considering all factors, subject to fulfillment of eligibility criteria and successful document verification.

Offline Application Process

Interested candidates must obtain the application form from the office of the concerned Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) or District Programme Officer (DPO) of their respective district. Application forms may also be downloadable from district ICDS websites or the official J&K ICDS portal at jkicds.com. The application form must be filled completely in the candidate's own handwriting with clear and accurate information.

Attach recent passport-size photographs as specified in the application format. All required documents must be self-attested and attached with the application including photocopies of educational certificates (8th/10th/12th), mark sheets, date of birth certificate, domicile certificate of J&K, category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), and any other relevant certificates or documents as mentioned in the advertisement.

The completed application form along with all supporting documents should be submitted in person or through registered post to the office of the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) or District Programme Officer mentioned in the respective district advertisement. The application must reach the designated office on or before the last date specified. Applications submitted after the deadline or incomplete applications will be summarily rejected without any intimation.

Candidates should keep a photocopy of the complete application and supporting documents for their personal records. Obtain an acknowledgment receipt at the time of submission (if submitting in person) or keep the postal receipt (if sending by post) as proof of submission. This receipt may be required at the time of document verification or interview.

Important Instructions

Candidates must apply only for vacancies in their home district or the district where they have domicile. Preference is given to residents of the specific area/village where the Anganwadi center is located. Candidates must carefully read the detailed advertisement issued by their district ICDS office before applying. Each district may have specific additional requirements or selection criteria.

Only applications submitted in the prescribed format will be accepted. Candidates should not attach any original certificates with the application; only self-attested photocopies should be attached. Original certificates will be verified at the time of document verification or joining. Any discrepancy in information or false declaration will lead to immediate rejection of candidature and may result in legal action.

The decision of the District Programme Officer/CDPO and selection committee will be final and binding. No appeals or representations will be entertained. The number of vacancies mentioned is tentative and may increase or decrease based on actual requirements and administrative decisions. The department reserves the right to cancel or modify the recruitment process at any stage without assigning any reason.

District-wise Contact Information

Candidates should contact the concerned Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) or District Programme Officer (DPO) of their respective district for detailed information, application forms, and updates regarding the recruitment. Contact details and office addresses are available on the official J&K ICDS website at www.jkicds.com and on individual district ICDS portals.

For queries and clarifications, candidates can visit the office of their district ICDS functionary during office hours or check the official ICDS website regularly for updates, answer keys (if written test is conducted), merit lists, interview schedules, and final selection lists. All official communications and results will be published on the website and district notice boards. No individual intimation will be sent by post unless specifically mentioned in the advertisement.