Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Tamil Nadu Schools May Add Chicken Biryani to Midday Meals
Tamil Nadu schools might start serving chicken biryani once a week.
The state government is looking into it and has asked the Chief Minister to decide.
Teachers want better rice, more food choices, and to have meals for older students too.
They also want changes to teacher tests and better pay.
The education minister said the government will look at all the requests and try to solve them quickly.
Tamil Nadu government is considering adding chicken biryani to the weekly midday meal menu for schoolchildren.
The proposal has been submitted to the Chief Minister and is under review, with input from the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department.
Teacher associations, representing over 80 groups, have demanded higher quality rice, inclusion of biryani, and expansion of breakfast and midday meal schemes to class 12.
The associations also seek changes to the Teacher Eligibility Test, equal pay for secondary teachers, and increased maintenance grants.
Minister A. Rajmohan said the government will digitise and prioritise the demands to address them promptly.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu government, teacher associations, Minister A. Rajmohan, A. Mayavan
- What
- Proposal to add chicken biryani to the weekly midday meal and demands for meal scheme expansion and TET changes
- When
- Proposal submitted; meeting held Tuesday; state budget on August 5
- Where
- Tamil Nadu state schools
- Why
- To make meals more appealing, improve quality, expand coverage, and address teacher concerns
- Proposed Item
- Chicken Biryani
- Target Group
- Schoolchildren in Tamil Nadu
- Current Midday Meal Coverage
- Classes 1-10
- Proposed Expansion
- Classes 11-12
- Key Stakeholders
- Teacher Associations, Ministry of Education