PM POSHAN Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Benefits, Eligibility, and How It Works

PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) is the Government of India's flagship school meal programme that provides free hot cooked meals to children studying in government and government-aided schools. Earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, it was renamed PM POSHAN in September 2021 and extended from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.

What is PM POSHAN Scheme?

PM POSHAN is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Education that aims to improve the nutritional status of school children, increase school enrolment and attendance, and reduce dropout rates. The scheme covers approximately 11.80 crore children across the country studying in government schools, government-aided schools, special training centres, and Madrasas/Maqtabs supported under Samagra Shiksha.

The programme provides one hot cooked meal to every eligible child on each school working day, ensuring adequate nutrition with prescribed calorie and protein content.

Who is Eligible?

PM POSHAN benefits are available to:

• Primary school children (Classes 1 to 5) in government and government-aided schools
• Upper primary school children (Classes 6 to 8) in government and government-aided schools
• Children studying in Special Training Centres (STC) under Samagra Shiksha
• Children in Madrasas and Maqtabs supported under Samagra Shiksha
• Children enrolled in pre-primary classes (Bal Vatika) in government schools (added under PM POSHAN)

Key Points

• No separate application or registration is needed — all enrolled children automatically benefit
• The scheme applies across all states and union territories
• Both boys and girls are equally eligible
• No income or caste criteria — every child enrolled in an eligible school receives the meal

Nutrition Norms

The Government has prescribed minimum nutritional standards for meals served under PM POSHAN:

Meal Components

• Rice/Wheat — as the primary cereal
• Dal/Pulses — for protein
• Vegetables — seasonal and locally available
• Oil and fat — for cooking
• Micronutrients — fortified rice is being supplied in many states
• Supplementary nutrition — milk, eggs, fruits, or additional items as per state government norms

How the Scheme Works

For Parents and Students

1. Enrol your child in a government or government-aided school
2. No separate application is required — meals are automatically provided to all enrolled students
3. Meals are served during school hours on all working days
4. Menu is decided by the state government and varies by region

For Schools and Administration

1. The Central Government provides foodgrains (rice/wheat) through FCI at no cost
2. The Central Government also provides cooking costs, which are shared between Centre and States
3. Schools engage cook-cum-helpers — 1 cook for up to 25 students, 2 cooks for 26-100 students
4. Schools must maintain hygiene standards and follow FSSAI guidelines
5. Tithi Bhojan — community participation is encouraged where individuals/organizations can sponsor special meals on occasions

Cooking Cost (per child per day)

Note: Cooking costs are revised periodically. NE states receive higher Central share.

Key Features of PM POSHAN

• Tithhi Bhojan — community and corporate participation in providing special meals
• School Nutrition Gardens — schools are encouraged to develop kitchen gardens for fresh vegetables
• Fortified Rice — supply of iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 fortified rice to improve nutrition
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) — cooking cost is transferred directly to school accounts
• Social audit — mandatory social audits for transparency
• MERA (Monitoring and Evaluation of Reforms through AI) — use of technology for monitoring meal quality and delivery

Important Tips

1. Check your child's school — confirm with the school if they are covered under PM POSHAN
2. Report quality issues — if the food quality is poor or meals are not being served, report to the school management committee (SMC)
3. Participate in Tithi Bhojan — community members can contribute to enhancing the meal experience
4. School Nutrition Garden — encourage the school to maintain a kitchen garden for fresh vegetables
5. Grievance redressal — complaints can be filed on the PM POSHAN portal or through the state education department

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is PM POSHAN the same as Mid-Day Meal Scheme?

Yes, PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) is the new name for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, renamed in September 2021 with additional features like nutrition gardens and fortified rice.

Q2. Do private school children get mid-day meals?

No, PM POSHAN covers only government schools, government-aided schools, special training centres, and Madrasas/Maqtabs supported under Samagra Shiksha.

Q3. Do parents need to apply for PM POSHAN?

No application is needed. All children enrolled in eligible schools automatically receive free meals on working days.

Q4. What if my child's school is not providing meals?

Report the issue to the School Management Committee (SMC), Block Education Officer (BEO), or file a complaint on the PM POSHAN portal at pmposhan.education.gov.in.

Q5. Are eggs provided under PM POSHAN?

This varies by state. Some states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh provide eggs. Other states provide alternative nutrition like milk, bananas, or additional items.

Q6. Is PM POSHAN available during summer vacations?

Generally, meals are provided only on school working days. However, during COVID-19 and some drought/emergency situations, states have provided food security allowance or dry ration to students.

Q7. How is the food quality monitored?

Food quality is monitored through School Management Committees, regular inspections by education officers, social audits, and the MERA (AI-based monitoring) system.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the Government of India. For official information, visit pmposhan.education.gov.in.