PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) is the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, run by the Ministry of Education, that serves one hot cooked meal every school day to about 11.8 crore children in Bal Vatika and Classes I to VIII of government and government-aided schools. It is the renamed and expanded form of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
Context
- The Centre announced that it would bear an additional cost of Rs 425.62 crore in 2024-25 on account of inflation in food material costs, on top of about 26 lakh tonnes of foodgrains supplied through the Food Corporation of India at 100% Central cost (a subsidy of about Rs 9,000 crore a year plus transport from FCI depots to schools).
- Cooking (material) cost norms have been revised twice since 2024: to Rs 6.19 (primary) and Rs 9.29 (upper primary) per child per day from December 2024, and to about Rs 6.78 and Rs 10.17 from May 2025.
Background
- The National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (the Mid-Day Meal Scheme) began on 15 August 1995.
- In 2001 the Supreme Court, in the PUCL right-to-food case, directed that cooked meals be served in all government primary schools.
- On 29 September 2021 the Cabinet renamed the scheme PM POSHAN for 2021-22 to 2025-26, adding pre-primary (Bal Vatika) children and new components.
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Coverage and Outlay
- About 11.8 crore children in 11.2 lakh schools – government, government-aided, local body schools and centres under Samagra Shiksha.
- Total outlay for 2021-22 to 2025-26: about Rs 1.31 lakh crore – Central share Rs 54,061.73 crore, state share Rs 31,733.17 crore, plus about Rs 45,000 crore of foodgrain cost borne entirely by the Centre.
- Cost sharing: 60:40 between the Centre and the states; 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states; 100% Central for Union Territories without a legislature.
Nutrition Norms
- Primary (Classes I-V): 450 calories and 12 grams of protein per meal, with 100 grams of foodgrains.
- Upper primary (Classes VI-VIII): 700 calories and 20 grams of protein, with 150 grams of foodgrains.
- Meals are served on all school days; in drought-affected or disaster-hit areas meals continue during summer vacation.
New Features Added in 2021
- Tithi Bhojan – community members contribute special food on occasions.
- School Nutrition Gardens for fresh vegetables and hands-on learning.
- Involvement of women self-help groups and FPOs in supply; supplementary nutrition for children in aspirational districts and areas with high anaemia.
- Social audit of the scheme in every district and direct benefit transfer of cooking cost to schools.
Objectives
- Improve the nutritional status of children in Classes I to VIII and pre-primary.
- Encourage enrolment, attendance and retention, especially of children from disadvantaged sections.
- Address classroom hunger so that children can learn.
Important Facts for Examsmost asked
- Mid-Day Meal Scheme started 15 August 1995; renamed PM POSHAN on 29 September 2021; ministry – Education.
- Coverage: Bal Vatika and Classes I-VIII; about 11.8 crore children in 11.2 lakh schools.
- Outlay 2021-26: about Rs 1.31 lakh crore; funding 60:40 (90:10 NE and Himalayan; 100% UTs without legislature).
- Norms: 450 kcal and 12 g protein (primary); 700 kcal and 20 g protein (upper primary).
- Foodgrains supplied by FCI at 100% Central cost; the Centre bears inflation-linked increases in material cost.
FAQs
Is PM POSHAN the same as POSHAN Abhiyaan?
No. POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018) is the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s nutrition mission for children under six, pregnant women and lactating mothers, now part of Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0. PM POSHAN is the school meal scheme of the Ministry of Education.
Who cooks the meals?
Cook-cum-helpers engaged by the school management committee, or centralised kitchens run by NGOs and self-help groups in urban areas, following state-approved menus.
Why is PM POSHAN relevant for NABARD and RBI exams?
It is a standard social-sector scheme in the ESI and general awareness sections; the renaming date, outlay, nutrition norms and funding pattern are the facts most often asked.
