PM POSHAN – Prime Minister’s is an important Scheme For Holistic Nourishment is the Government of India’s centrally sponsored mid-day meal programme re-cast to strengthen child nutrition and learning outcomes. The scheme provides one hot cooked meal every school day to children in Government and Government-aided schools and to Bal Vatikas attached to primary schools. The programme seeks to simultaneously tackle classroom hunger and school dropout by linking nutrition with regular attendance and improved concentration. PM POSHAN – Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment was approved for the period 2021–22 to 2025–26 and is implemented by the Ministry of Education in close coordination with state governments and local bodies.

Nutrition and Food Norms

The nutritional standards shown above are the national norms followed under PM POSHAN – Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment and are intended to meet a substantial portion of a child’s daily nutritional requirement during school hours.

Food Quantity Standards (Table 2: Food Norms per Child per Day)

These food norms are used to plan daily menus and procure supplies under PM POSHAN – Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment so that meals are balanced and locally acceptable.

Who Can Avail PM POSHAN?

1. Children enrolled in Government and Government-aided schools from Bal Vatika and Classes 1 to 8.
2. Schools operating under local bodies and those supported by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan where applicable.
3. There is no separate application process and no documents are required to receive meals under PM POSHAN – Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment.

How States and Schools Operate PM POSHAN Scheme — Stepwise Process

1. The State education department issues annual guidelines and allocates funds and food-grain entitlements to districts under PM POSHAN – Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment.
2. District authorities identify implementing agencies, engage cook-cum-helpers, and establish kitchen-cum-store facilities.
3. Schools plan daily menus consistent with national food norms and use MIS portals to report meal coverage and stock.
4. Community monitoring through School Management Committees and periodic social audits ensures quality and transparency in PM POSHAN – Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment implementation.

Funding, Cooking Cost Revision and Additional Support

Central funding provides food-grain support and a per-child cooking cost that is shared with states. The Government periodically revises cooking cost and material rates to reflect price changes; a revision effective from 1 May 2025 adjusted per-child cooking cost to help states maintain meal quality. PM POSHAN – Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment also supports kitchen equipment and incentives for decentralized procurement of safe, locally sourced foods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is there an application to get meals under PM POSHAN – Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment?
A1: No application is needed; all eligible children enrolled in Government and Government-aided schools or Bal Vatika attached to primary schools receive meals automatically.

Q2: What nutritional standards does the scheme follow?
A2: The scheme follows national norms of 450 kcal/12 g protein for primary and 700 kcal/20 g protein for upper primary students, together with specified food-grain and vegetable quantities.

Q3: How can parents check if their child’s school is reporting meals regularly?
A3: Parents can approach the school head, the local education office or consult state PM POSHAN MIS portals and School Management Committees for meal coverage and quality reports.

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