The first 1000 days of a child’s life determines the quality of all long-term life outcomes. The physical and cognitive development of a child begins with pregnancy and the first twenty-four months of life. A lack of nutrition and deficiencies in iron, folic acid and iodine during this time can cause irreversible impairment of cognition and brain development. This time is therefore a key developmental priority. It is important that nutrition and health work alongside education (H‑N-E). Fifty per cent of underprivileged school children who suffer from malnourishment also struggle in their school work. The Integrated Child Development Programme in India has laid the foundation for effective schooling with health, education and nutrition as its core components. This course will help you understand the links between the three components, and how government policies, programmes and systems address them in independent India.