Archive · 27 Nov 2025
PM POSHAN Scheme Expands Beyond Nutrition
The PM POSHAN scheme is a government program in India that provides free meals to school children.
It started in 2021 and will continue until 2026.
The scheme gives food to students from pre-primary to class 8.
The government shares the cost with the states.
Some states want to add breakfast to the meals.
The scheme helps children stay healthy and do better in school.
It also tries to reduce discrimination.
However, there are challenges like protein deficiency and the need for better kitchen facilities.
The scheme is not just about food but also about education and fairness.
PM POSHAN provides free midday meals to students from pre-primary to class 8, aiming to combat malnutrition and improve educational outcomes.
Seven states and UTs have proposed adding breakfast to the scheme, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 recommendations.
The scheme contributes to higher learning scores and better attendance, with menus planned at the state level to include local preferences.
Challenges include protein deficiency, social discrimination during mealtimes, and the need for better kitchen infrastructure and grievance mechanisms.
Proposals to enhance the scheme include adding breakfast, revising food norms, and integrating nutrition education into the school curriculum.
- Who
- Indian government and various states/UTs
- What
- Implementation and expansion of the PM POSHAN scheme
- When
- 2021 to 2026, with recent proposals for breakfast inclusion
- Where
- Across India, with specific mentions of Bengaluru, Tamil Nadu, and other states
- Why
- To address child malnutrition, improve educational outcomes, and promote social equity
- Scheme Name
- PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman)
- Duration
- 2021 to 2026
- Target Group
- Students from pre-primary to class 8
- Funding Ratio
- 60:40 (Centre:States) or 90:10 (Northeastern and Himalayan regions)
- Key Features
- Fortification of staples, nutrition gardens, tithi bhojan (donor-driven meals)
- States Proposing Breakfast
- Rajasthan, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Lakshadweep, Gujarat, Delhi
- Nutritional Concerns
- High child wasting (18.7%), stunting, anaemia among women
- Protein Deficiency
- 1 in 3.6 children in Bengaluru