Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Fadnavis Seeks Joint School Meals Policy, Class 10 Extension
Maharashtra wants to improve the meals served to students at school.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked two government departments to work together on a plan.
Officials will study whether students in Classes 9 and 10 can also receive meals through the scheme.
District officials could choose how meals are prepared and delivered to suit local needs.
Central kitchens may work in some places, while remote areas may need local arrangements.
The plan may include foods such as millets and locally available sources of protein.
The current scheme serves students in Classes 1 to 8 at eligible schools.
Officials will also consider how to make sure meals are fresh and arrive on time.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed two departments to develop a joint policy for fresh, nutritious school meals delivered on time.
Officials were asked to assess extending the PM Poshan scheme from students through Class 8 to students through Class 10.
District authorities would choose meal arrangements based on local conditions, including centralised kitchens where feasible and local alternatives in remote areas.
The policy should consider locally available protein-rich foods and millets, while setting clear standards for food quality, services and payments.
The scheme currently covers Classes 1 to 8 in 85,206 eligible schools, with different calorie and protein targets for younger and older students.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the School Education and Women and Child Development departments, and district authorities.
- What
- A joint policy for school meals is to be prepared, and officials will assess extending the scheme to Class 10.
- When
- At a review meeting reported on October 5; the year was not specified.
- Where
- Sahyadri Guest House in south Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Why
- To improve the timely delivery and quality of fresh, nutritious meals and adapt arrangements to local conditions.
- Scheme
- Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, also known as PM Poshan
- Current grade coverage
- Classes 1 to 8
- Possible expansion
- Officials asked to examine extending benefits through Class 10
- Eligible schools covered
- 85,206
- Classes 1–5 meal norm
- 450 calories and 12 grams of protein
- Classes 6–8 meal norm
- 700 calories and 20 grams of protein
- Meal planning
- Locally available protein-rich foods and millet-based options were suggested, taking local habits and student preferences into account.
