About SPNIWCD

Established on February 28, 1966, under the Societies Registration Act XXI, 1860, Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development(SPNIWCD) initially functioned as the Central Institute of Research and Training in Public Cooperation. It operated under the purview of Planning Commission with a focus on fostering voluntary action in social development. Over time, it evolved to meet the developing needs of the nation.

In 1975, following the endorsement of the National Policy for Children, Institute designated as the premier institution for training personnel for the newly inaugurated Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a flagship program by the Government of India, and thereafter underwent a name change to National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development. This renaming reflected its expanded mandate to encompass both public cooperation and child development initiatives. This transformation signified a broader scope and deeper commitment to the welfare of children and women of our country. Since then, Institute has played a pivotal role in training and capacity building for ICDS and other related programs, contributing significantly to the welfare and development of children and women across the nation.

SPNIWCD has not only been instrumental in child development but has also made notable contributions towards women's empowerment. This dual focus underscores SPNIWCD's commitment to addressing the interconnected issues of child development and women's empowerment, thereby making meaningful strides towards building a more equitable and inclusive society.

Through its comprehensive training programs, SPNIWCD has equipped countless individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the multifaceted challenges facing women and children in India.

SPNIWCD operates as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development with its Headquartered in New Delhi, and expanding itself to five regional centres located at: Guwahati (est. 1978), Bengaluru (est. 1980), Lucknow (est. 1982), Indore (est. 2001), Mohali (est. 2019) and Ranchi (2025). These centres address region-specific requirements, extending the organization's reach and impact across India.

Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development (SPNIWCD) is committed to addressing various societal needs through a range of initiatives. At its core, SPNIWCD focuses on international collaboration, prioritizing the welfare of tribal communities, capacity building through training programs, and extensive research and documentation. Additionally, SPNIWCD offers e-learning courses to enhance knowledge dissemination.

To effectively execute its objectives, SPNIWCD has structured its operations around key verticals 

• Early Childhood Development Care & Education
• Nutrition
• Adolescent & Mental Health
• Child Protection, and
• Women Empowerment and Safety. These verticals serve as focal points for implementing and facilitating various schemes and missions aimed at improving the well-being of children and women across the country.

The Early Childhood Care and Adolescent Mental Health verticals collaborate closely with their respective extension units: Child Care Centres for Early Childhood Care and Advanced Diploma in Child Guidance & Counselling, Child Guidance Centres (CGC), and Adolescent Guidance and Counselling Centres (AGSC) for Adolescent Mental Health.

The Child protection vertical gears itself to provide a protective environment for all children in order to enable them to develop into responsible individuals. This unit primarily aims to build the capacity of functionaries on cardinal principles of protection of child rights and best interest of the child.

Besides, Women Empowerment and safety vertical organizes capacity building programmes for functionaries of various Government schemes under Mission Shakti and targets to work on building an enabling ecosystem for women in a life cycle continuum basis that’s free of inherent biases and endorse the rights and dignity of women and creates provisions for equipping women with essential skills.

Furthermore, SPNIWCD's operational efficiency is bolstered by two support verticals housed at its headquarters. The Coordination Unit ensures seamless communication and synergy among different departments and initiatives, facilitating effective collaboration and resource allocation. Meanwhile, the Finance, Accounts, and Administration Unit oversee the financial management and administrative functions, ensuring accountability and transparency in SPNIWCD's operations.