A method for sending and detecting downlink control information is provided. A base station carries the downlink control information in a physical downlink control channel, and sends said physical downlink control channel through component carriers. Said base station bears first type downlink control information on an anchor component carrier, and bears third type downlink control information on a prime component carrier, wherein said first type downlink control information bears one or more types of uplink scheduling information, downlink scheduling information and uplink power control information of its component carrier, said third type downlink control information bears indication information of the second type downlink control information which bears the uplink scheduling information and/or the downlink scheduling information of one or more component carriers. A terminal detects the first type downlink control information on the anchor component carries and detects the third type downlink control information on the prime component carrier.