Archive · 25 Aug 2026
27 Kota Students Fall Ill After Midday Meal
At least 27 children became sick after eating lunch at their school in Kota.
The lunch included a pumpkin dish.
About two hours later, some children felt dizzy, vomited or had stomach pain, nausea or headaches.
Twenty-one children were taken to hospitals.
Seventeen went to New Medical College Hospital, and four went to a private hospital.
Doctors treated the children and watched them carefully.
Officials said all of them were stable and out of danger.
They are investigating whether the food or water caused the problem.
They are also checking whether hot and humid weather played a role.
At least 27 students in Classes 1-8 fell ill after eating a midday meal at a government school in Kota, Rajasthan.
The students reported nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness and, according to officials, headaches about two hours after the meal.
Twenty-one children were taken to hospitals, including 17 at New Medical College Hospital and four at a private hospital.
All affected children were reported stable; most received treatment and observation, while four or five reportedly required formal admission.
Authorities ordered an inquiry into the food and water, while also considering heat, humidity and other possible causes.
- Who
- At least 27 students from Classes 1-8 at a government school in Kota, Rajasthan; 110 of the school’s 130 enrolled students were present.
- What
- The students fell ill after eating a midday meal that included a pumpkin preparation; reported symptoms included vomiting, dizziness, nausea, stomach aches and headaches.
- When
- Monday, August 24; symptoms began roughly two hours after the meal, around 1 p.m.
- Where
- Government Upper Primary School in Poonia Devli village, also rendered as Poonia Deoria, in Kota’s Ranpur area; treatment was provided at hospitals in Kota.
- Why
- The cause has not been established. Officials are investigating possible food or water contamination and are also examining heat and humidity.
Officials’ assessment
Family concerns and food-safety suspicion
Cause of illness
Officials’ assessment
Officials said it was too early to conclude that the midday meal caused the illness because the same food was supplied to eight or nine schools without reported problems elsewhere. They are also examining heat, humidity and local water contamination.
Family concerns and food-safety suspicion
The children became ill after eating the meal, and one student’s mother specifically linked her son’s dizziness and collapse to the pumpkin curry. Health authorities are checking whether contaminated food or water triggered the incident.
Care provided
Officials’ assessment
Officials said medical teams were sent to the school, children were taken for treatment and observation, and most remained stable. The district education officer and Rajasthan minister Madan Dilawar visited the hospital.
Family concerns and food-safety suspicion
The mother of one affected student claimed that no teacher or school staff member accompanied her son when his family took him for medical care.
- Students affected
- At least 27
- Students present
- 110 of the school’s 130 enrolled students
- Hospital treatment
- Twenty-one children were taken for care: 17 to government-run New Medical College Hospital and four to a private hospital
- Meal
- The midday meal included a pumpkin preparation and was supplied by Annapurna Sahakari Samiti to eight or nine schools
- Symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, dizziness and headaches
- Condition
- All affected children were reported stable with normal vital signs among those admitted
- Investigation
- Authorities ordered an inquiry and are awaiting laboratory and medical reports
Sources
27 Students Fall Ill After Consuming Mid-Day Meal At Rajasthan School
27 children take ill after consuming mid-day meal at Kota school; probe initiated
27 Children Fall Ill After Consuming Mid-Day Meal At Government School In Kota
Over 100 students ate midday meal at Kota school. Two hours later, 21 land in hospital