Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN) — How to Apply & Benefits

What is PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme)?

PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman — previously known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme) is a centrally-sponsored program that provides free cooked meals to school children in government and government-aided schools across India. It is one of the world's largest school feeding programs, serving approximately 12 crore children daily.

The scheme has dual objectives: improving nutritional levels of school children and increasing school attendance by incentivizing parents to send their children to school.

Who is Covered?

Eligible Students

• Children studying in Classes 1 to 8 (up to Class 12 in aspirational districts)
• Students in government schools
• Students in government-aided schools
• Students in schools run by local bodies
• Children in EGS (Education Guarantee Scheme) and AIE (Alternative & Innovative Education) centres
• Pre-primary students in Bal Vatika attached to government primary schools

Coverage

• All states and Union Territories of India
• Both rural and urban schools
• Approximately 11.80 lakh schools across India

Nutritional Norms

For Primary Students (Classes 1-5)

For Upper Primary Students (Classes 6-8)

Meal Composition

The meal must include:

• Rice or roti (based on regional preference)
• Dal / pulses — at least 3 days a week
• Vegetables — seasonal, locally sourced
• Egg or equivalent — at least 2-3 days a week (states may vary)
• Fruits — periodically
• Fortified oil and salt (iodized)
• Milk — in some states (like Karnataka's Ksheera Bhagya)

Key Benefits

For Children

• Improved nutrition — addresses micronutrient deficiencies
• Better concentration — children learn better on a full stomach
• Reduced classroom hunger — especially for children from poor families
• Socialization — children of all castes eat together, promoting equality

For Parents

• Incentive to send children to school — reduces absenteeism
• Reduced food expenditure — one meal per day covered
• Assured nutrition — parents know their child gets at least one nutritious meal

For the Community

• Employment — cooks and helpers employed at each school
• Local sourcing — vegetables and ingredients purchased from local markets
• Women's self-help groups often manage cooking operations

How the Scheme Works

Daily Process

1. Menu planned — weekly/monthly menu decided by School Management Committee (SMC)
2. Ingredients procured — food grains from FCI; vegetables from local market
3. Cooking — prepared by designated cooks/helpers in school kitchen
4. Serving — served during the school hours (usually before or during lunch break)
5. Monitoring — headmaster, SMC members, and parents monitor quality

Funding Pattern

Cooking Cost Per Child Per Day (Revised)

Note: These amounts are revised periodically and may vary by state.

Recent Improvements Under PM POSHAN

• Tithi Bhojan — community members can sponsor meals on special occasions
• School Nutrition Gardens — schools encouraged to grow vegetables
• Fortified rice — introduction of fortified rice to combat malnutrition
• Social audit — regular social audits and inspections
• Aadhaar-based monitoring — biometric tracking of students for transparency
• POSHAN Tracker app — digital monitoring of meals served

How to Raise Complaints

If Meal Quality is Poor

1. Speak to the School Headmaster — first point of contact
2. Raise at SMC meeting — School Management Committee reviews meal quality
3. Complain to Block Education Officer (BEO) — if school-level action is insufficient
4. District Education Officer (DEO) — for escalated complaints
5. National toll-free helpline — call food safety helpline
6. Write to pmposhan.education.gov.in — online grievance portal

Common Issues to Report

• Meals not served on school days
• Poor quality or insufficient quantity
• Unhygienic cooking conditions
• Stale or expired ingredients used
• Discrimination in serving based on caste

Important Tips

• Parents should visit the school — periodically check the meal quality and kitchen hygiene
• Join the SMC — active parent participation improves meal quality
• Menu should be diverse — the same meal every day is not acceptable; report monotonous menus
• Eggs are important — if your state doesn't provide eggs, advocate for their inclusion
• Know your child's entitlement — children are entitled to meals on every school working day

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the mid-day meal compulsory in all government schools?

Yes, under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), every child in Classes 1-8 in government and aided schools is entitled to a mid-day meal. Schools cannot deny this.

Who cooks the mid-day meal?

Cooks and helpers appointed by the school (often from women's self-help groups) prepare the meals. In some states, centralized kitchens supply meals to multiple schools.

Can private school students get mid-day meals?

No, PM POSHAN covers only government schools, government-aided schools, and schools run by local bodies. Private unaided schools are not covered.

What if my child has food allergies?

Inform the school headmaster about allergies. The school should accommodate or provide alternatives. There is no formal policy, but schools are expected to be sensitive.

Is there a mid-day meal during summer vacation?

Generally, no. However, during COVID-19 and similar situations, the government has provided food security allowance (FSA) or dry rations in lieu of cooked meals.

How can I volunteer or contribute to PM POSHAN?

Through Tithi Bhojan, individuals can sponsor meals on birthdays, anniversaries, or special occasions. Contact the school headmaster to arrange this.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is not affiliated with the Ministry of Education. Visit pmposhan.education.gov.in for official information.