PM POSHAN Scheme

Summary of the Scheme
Name of Scheme	Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme
Launch Year	1995
Benefits	Free hot cooked meals providing 450 kcal and 12 g protein for primary classes, and 700 kcal and 20 g protein for upper-primary classes per school day.
Beneficiary	Children in Balvatika and Classes I–VIII in eligible government and government-aided schools.
Nodal Agency	Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education
Subscription	Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme
Mode of Apply	No separate application is required. Eligible children receive meals through their school.

PM POSHAN Scheme: A Free Hot Meal for Every Eligible Schoolchild

A child who comes to school hungry finds it hard to listen, learn or play. The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme, better known by its old name, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, tackles this directly by serving a free hot cooked meal at school. It is one of the longest-running welfare programmes in the country.

What the scheme is

The scheme began on 15 August 1995 as the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education, and it was renamed PM POSHAN on 29 September 2021. It is run by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, together with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. It follows the National Food Security Act, 2013 and the Mid-Day Meal Rules, 2015.

The main aims are to improve children’s nutrition, encourage enrolment, regular attendance and retention, and create a more inclusive classroom, since children from different backgrounds eat together.

What children receive

Eligible children get a free hot cooked meal on every school working day. The meal is meant to provide:

1. Primary classes (Balvatika and I to V): 450 kcal and 12 g protein
2. Upper-primary classes (VI to VIII): 700 kcal and 20 g protein

The prescribed food quantities per child per day are:

1. Food grains: 100 g for primary, 150 g for upper primary
2. Pulses: 20 g for primary, 30 g for upper primary
3. Vegetables: 50 g for primary, 75 g for upper primary
4. Oil and fat: 5 g for primary, 7.5 g for upper primary
5. Salt and condiments: as required

The menu differs from state to state according to local food habits and the ingredients available, but schools must meet the nutritional standards. Locally available food, seasonal vegetables and millets are encouraged. Health services such as deworming and iron and folic acid supplementation may also be provided in coordination with health authorities.

Extras that make a difference

School Nutrition Gardens teach children how vegetables are grown and why healthy food matters. Through Tithi Bhojan, community members can offer additional food to children on special occasions, on top of the regular meal.

If a school fails to serve a meal on a school day, eligible children are entitled to a Food Security Allowance under the applicable rules. It covers the prescribed food-grain entitlement and cooking cost, subject to the rules.

Who is covered

The meal is for children enrolled in Balvatika (the pre-primary class before Class I) and Classes I to VIII in government and government-aided schools covered by the scheme. Children in eligible Special Training Centres and supported Madarsas or Maktabs are also covered. Eligibility does not depend on family income, gender, caste or social background. The child must be enrolled and attending school.

A question many parents ask is whether private schools are included. The scheme covers government and government-aided schools, so an ordinary private unaided school is not part of it.

No application needed

There is no application form, no income certificate and no separate registration. The meal is provided through the school. Documents such as an Aadhaar card, age proof or a transfer certificate may be needed for school admission, but these are for the school’s records and not for the meal.

What parents can do

1. Enrol your child in a government or government-aided school covered by the scheme.
2. Confirm with the school head or class teacher that your child’s class is covered.
3. Ask about the meal schedule and menu.
4. If your child is not getting the meal, or you are worried about quality, speak to the school head or the School Management Committee.

How to complain

If a meal is missed, or food quality or hygiene is poor, work upward step by step. Start with the school head or principal. If that does not help, raise it with the School Management Committee. Next, approach the Block Education Officer, District Education Officer or the district authority responsible for PM POSHAN. If it is still unresolved, use the grievance helpline or complaint portal of your State or UT’s PM POSHAN authorities. For matters concerning a Central Government department, you can also file a complaint through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) where applicable.

When you complain, include the school’s name and location, the date of the incident and a clear description of the problem, along with any evidence you have.

Who pays for it

The minimum material cost per child per school day, revised from 1 May 2025, is ₹6.78 for Balvatika and primary classes and ₹10.17 for upper-primary classes. This covers ingredients such as pulses, vegetables, oil, condiments and fuel, and is separate from the cost of food grains.

The Centre and states share costs. In most states the split is 60% Centre and 40% State. In North-Eastern and specified Himalayan states, including Uttarakhand, it is 90% Centre and 10% State. In Union Territories without a legislature, the Centre funds the applicable shared components fully. The Centre also covers food grains, transportation, management, monitoring and evaluation. States may add more funds.

Where to get help

You can call the Poshan Helpline on 1515 or write to jan.andolan.sampark@gmail.com. The PM POSHAN Division can also be reached at 011-24014954 or indiamdm@gmail.com. The address is Ministry of Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, Kartavya Bhavan 2, New Delhi, 110001. The official PM POSHAN portal carries the guidelines and monitoring information.