Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN) — Eligibility, Benefits, How It Works

The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme, now called PM POSHAN Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), is one of the world's largest school feeding programmes. It provides free cooked meals to children studying in government and government-aided schools across India. The goal is simple — no child should go hungry at school, and nutrition should support learning.

Related guide: If your child is below 6 years, check the Anganwadi Services (ICDS) Scheme for supplementary nutrition and pre-school education.

Scheme Overview

The Mid-Day Meal programme started in 1995 as a national initiative. In September 2021, the Government of India renamed and expanded it as PM POSHAN Shakti Nirman for the period 2021–2026.

Key facts:

• Covers approximately 12 crore children across the country
• Operates in over 11.8 lakh schools
• Funded jointly by the Central and State Governments
• Managed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India

The scheme aims to:

1. Improve the nutritional status of school children
2. Encourage poor children to attend school regularly
3. Increase enrolment and reduce dropout rates
4. Improve learning concentration by removing classroom hunger

What Changed Under PM POSHAN?

When the scheme was rebranded as PM POSHAN Shakti Nirman, several improvements were introduced:

• Tithi Bhojan — community and private participation encouraged, where individuals or organisations can sponsor a meal on special occasions
• School Nutrition Gardens — schools are encouraged to grow vegetables and fruits in their premises to supplement meals
• Use of fortified foods — fortified rice, salt, and oil are being introduced to address micronutrient deficiencies
• Digital monitoring — Automated systems and Aadhaar-based tracking for transparency
• Convergence with Ayushman Bharat — health check-ups and nutrition tracking linked with school health programmes

Who Is Eligible?

The scheme covers:

In simple terms: If your child studies in a government or government-aided school from Class 1 to Class 8, they are entitled to a free mid-day meal on every school working day.

Special Categories

• Children in drought-affected areas may receive meals even during summer vacations
• Pre-primary (balvatika) students in government schools are being covered under PM POSHAN in many states

Nutritional Norms

The government has set minimum nutrition standards for every meal:

Primary Level (Classes 1–5)

Upper Primary Level (Classes 6–8)

Meals must also include micronutrients through fortified ingredients (iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 via fortified rice).

Menu Guidelines

• Menus are decided by each State Government / UT based on local food habits
• Meals must include rice or roti, dal, and vegetables at minimum
• States are required to provide variety — the same meal should not repeat daily
• Many states include eggs, fruits, or milk on specific days
• Menu must be displayed on the school notice board so parents can check

Sample Weekly Menu (Varies by State)

Your state's actual menu may differ. Check with the school or district education office.

How to Check If Your School Participates

1. Ask the school — The headmaster or teacher can confirm if MDM/PM POSHAN is running
2. Visit the PM POSHAN portal — Go to pmposhan.education.gov.in and search by state, district, and school
3. Check UDISE+ portal — School data on udiseplus.gov.in includes MDM status
4. Look for the kitchen/meal area — Participating schools have a designated cooking area and mid-day meal display board

How to File a Complaint

If meals are not being served, food quality is poor, or there is any irregularity:

Online

• CPGRAMS Portal: File a grievance at pgportal.gov.in — select Ministry of Education → Mid-Day Meal
• PM POSHAN Portal: Some states have a complaint section on the official website

Offline

• School Management Committee (SMC): Raise the issue with the SMC or parent-teacher body
• Block Education Officer (BEO): Write to or visit the BEO office in your block
• District Education Officer (DEO): Escalate to the DEO if block-level complaint is not resolved
• Toll-free helpline: Many states have their own MDM helpline numbers — check your state education department website

What to Include in a Complaint

• School name and location
• Date(s) of the issue
• Nature of complaint (no meal served, poor quality, hygiene issues, etc.)
• Any photos or evidence if available

Budget and Funding

PM POSHAN is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with costs shared between the Centre and States:

• Centre bears: Cost of foodgrains (free via FCI), cooking costs, kitchen infrastructure, and management & monitoring
• States bear: Kitchen construction costs (partial), cooking fuel, cook-cum-helpers' wages (partial), and additional menu items

Recent Budget Allocation

The cooking cost per child per day (Central share) is approximately:

• Primary: ₹5.45 per child per day
• Upper Primary: ₹8.17 per child per day

States may add their own funds to enhance meal quality and variety.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is PM POSHAN the same as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme?

Yes. PM POSHAN Shakti Nirman is the new name for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, effective from September 2021. The core programme remains the same with added features like nutrition gardens and fortified foods.

2. Can private school students get mid-day meals?

No. The scheme is only for students in government schools, government-aided schools, and schools supported under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Private unaided schools are not covered.

3. Are meals provided during summer vacations?

Generally, no. However, in drought-affected areas or during special circumstances (like COVID-19), some states have provided food security allowances or dry rations during vacations.

4. What if my child has food allergies?

Inform the school authorities. While the scheme does not have a separate allergy-specific menu, schools can make reasonable adjustments. Raise it with the School Management Committee.

5. Who cooks the meals in schools?

Cook-cum-helpers are appointed by the local body or school authority. They are paid an honorarium by the government. Many states prefer hiring women from self-help groups (SHGs) for this role.

6. How can I check the meal quality at my child's school?

Parents can visit the school during meal time. The School Management Committee (SMC) also monitors meal quality. You can also check inspection reports on the PM POSHAN portal.

7. Is Aadhaar mandatory for children to get mid-day meals?

Aadhaar is used for tracking and monitoring, but no child can be denied a meal for not having an Aadhaar card. This has been clarified by the government.

Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available government data as of February 2026. Actual benefits, menus, and processes may vary by state. For the most accurate and current information, visit pmposhan.education.gov.in or contact your local education office. CitizenNest is not affiliated with any government body.