PM POSHAN Scheme Expansion Proposed

The Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended expanding the PM POSHAN Scheme to include breakfast and extend coverage up to Class 12 to improve nutrition and learning outcomes.

PM POSHAN Scheme :

Aspect	Key Details
Scheme Name	Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN).
Launch	2021 (restructured Mid-Day Meal Scheme).
Nature	Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Objective	Improve nutrition, increase enrolment, retention, attendance and reduce dropouts.
Coverage	Currently provides one cooked meal daily to students of Classes 1–8 in government and aided schools.
Beneficiaries	~11.8 crore children.
Key Components	Hot cooked meals, nutritional standards, supplementary nutrition, school nutrition gardens and monitoring systems.
Nutritional Norms	Primary: 450 kcal & 12 g protein; Upper Primary: 700 kcal & 20 g protein.
Budget	Over ₹1.3 lakh crore (2021–26) with Centre bearing major share.
Meals Served	Over 100 crore meals per month.
Breakfast	Introduce light breakfast to improve cognitive performance and concentration.
Expansion	Extend to Class 10 immediately and to Class 12 in phased manner.
Focus Area	Address adolescent nutrition gap (post Class 8).
Educational Link	Better nutrition improves memory, focus and academic performance.
Social Impact	Reduces dropout rates, especially among girls and disadvantaged groups.
Significance	Supports malnutrition reduction, gender equity and long-term human capital development.