Anganwadi recruitment 2026: apply for 9,541 posts by October 8

Anganwadi Recruitment 2026 is currently underway across multiple states in India, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Rajasthan, Odisha, and West Bengal. The recruitment drive, conducted by State Women and Child Development (WCD) / Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Departments and the Ministry of Women & Child Development, aims to fill an estimated 9,541 vacancies for various positions.

These positions include Anganwadi Supervisor, Worker, Helper, Mini Anganwadi Worker, and Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) roles, which are integral to the ICDS programme’s delivery of services such as supplementary nutrition, immunization support, and pre-school education at the grassroots level. Recruitment is not centralised through one national exam; instead, each state’s WCD or ICDS department or District Programme Officer (DPO) releases notifications district by district.

Application Process and Fees

The application mode for most states is online, though some districts may accept offline applications. For the majority of Anganwadi Worker (AWW) and Anganwadi Helper (AWH) posts, there is no application fee. However, an application fee ranging from ₹100 to ₹500 may be applicable for some state Supervisor posts, depending on the specific state’s regulations.

The selection process for AWW and AWH posts is merit-based, relying on academic marks, and does not involve a written examination. For Supervisor and CDPO posts, a written exam or interview may be conducted, varying by state. Job locations are typically within the applicant’s district or ward of residence, with specific residency conditions applying to different posts.

Eligibility Criteria and Honorariums

Eligibility requirements vary by post. Anganwadi Worker candidates must have passed 10th or 12th standard, be female, and be between 18 and 35 years of age. Anganwadi Helper candidates need an 8th or 10th pass, must be female, and fall within the 18–35 age bracket. For Supervisor and CDPO posts, a graduation in any stream is required, with an age limit of 18–40 years, and eligibility can be for female or both genders depending on the state. Age relaxation of 5 years is provided for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates.

Anganwadi Workers receive a monthly honorarium, not a salary, which includes a Central Government component of ₹4,500 per month. Anganwadi Helpers receive a Central Government component of ₹2,250 per month. State governments supplement these amounts, leading to varying total honorariums across states. For instance, Anganwadi Workers in Karnataka receive ₹14,000 per month, while those in Bihar receive ₹8,000 per month. Married women are preferred for Anganwadi Worker posts in some states.

Key Deadlines and State-Specific Recruitments

Several application deadlines are approaching in late September and early October 2026. For instance, the last date to apply for Banda Anganwadi Worker (122 Posts) is today, September 22, 2026. DPO Balrampur Anganwadi Worker & Helper (495 Posts) applications close on September 23, 2026, and DPO Amroha Anganwadi Worker (105 Posts) on September 24, 2026. The latest stated deadline is October 8, 2026, for Shahjahanpur Anganwadi Helper (460 Posts).

In West Bengal, the West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) and the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare are expected to offer around 16,000 posts statewide and district-wise combined for ICDS Supervisor, Anganwadi Worker, Anganwadi Helper (Sahayika), and Cook. For WBPSC ICDS Supervisor posts, the application fee is ₹160 for General category candidates, with no fee for SC/ST (West Bengal) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).

Training Programmes for Anganwadi Roles

The National Institute of Skill Development Education (NISDE) offers training programs relevant to Anganwadi roles. These include programs for Anganwadi Parvekshak (Mahila Supervisor), Anganwadi Teacher, Anganwadi Karykarta, and Anganwadi Sahayika. The application period for NISDE training programs began on April 10, 2026. The last date to apply online for these programs was extended to July 30, 2026, with the fee payment deadline extended to July 31, 2026. The application fee for NISDE training programs is ₹500 for General/OBC candidates and ₹400 for SC/ST candidates.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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