PM POSHAN — Free Mid-Day Meal for School Children

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

PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) is India's largest school meal programme that provides free, hot cooked mid-day meals to all children studying in Classes 1 to 8 in government, government-aided, and local body schools. It covers over 12 crore children across the country.

Previously known as the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (Mid-Day Meal Scheme), it was renamed PM POSHAN in September 2021 and expanded.

Key Benefits

Which Schools Are Covered?

PM POSHAN meals are provided at:

• Government schools (all primary and upper primary)
• Government-aided private schools (partially)
• Madrasas and Maktabs supported under Samagra Shiksha
• Schools in EWS areas and tribal regions are given additional attention

PM POSHAN does NOT cover private unaided schools.

Who is Eligible?

Every child enrolled in Classes 1 to 8 in a covered school. There is no income limit, no BPL requirement, no registration process. If your child goes to a government school from Class 1 to 8, they automatically get the mid-day meal on every school day.

No Registration Required

Parents do not need to apply or register for PM POSHAN. The school is responsible for:

1. Cooking/arranging the meals
2. Ensuring food is provided to every enrolled child
3. Maintaining attendance and meal distribution records

Nutritional Standards

The menu typically includes:

• Rice/chapati (cereal)
• Dal or sambar (pulses)
• Seasonal vegetables
• Eggs or milk (where states have mandated)
• Fortified rice / iodised salt (mandatory)

Balika Panchayat and Community Oversight

PM POSHAN includes community monitoring:

• School Management Committees (SMCs) supervise meal quality
• Mother committees / Balika Panchayats can raise complaints
• State and central government conduct surprise inspections

What to Do If Your School Is Not Providing Meals?

Step 1: Talk to the school headmaster and document the complaint.

Step 2: Report to the Block Education Officer (BEO) in writing.

Step 3: Use the PM POSHAN monitoring portal to file a grievance: pmposhan.education.gov.in

Step 4: File a complaint with the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS).

Every government school is obligated to provide mid-day meals on school days. Non-provision is a serious violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My child's school is giving biscuits/bread instead of hot meals. Is this allowed?

No. PM POSHAN mandates hot cooked meals. Dry rations or biscuits are not compliant except in specific emergency situations. Report to the BEO.

2. Are eggs included in PM POSHAN?

It depends on the state. States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and West Bengal provide eggs 2–5 days a week. Other states may provide milk or additional vegetables instead.

3. Are meals given during school holidays or exams?

Meals are provided on working school days only — not on holidays. During examination days when students attend, meals are typically provided.

4. My child's school has only 15 students. Do they still get mid-day meals?

Yes. There is no minimum enrollment requirement. All government primary/upper primary schools are covered regardless of enrollment size.

5. I am a school cook (cook-cum-helper). How do I get paid?

Cook-cum-helpers are paid honorariums set by state governments — typically ₹1,000–₹2,000/month. Contact your school principal and Block Education Officer for payment-related issues.

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