Midday Meal Yojana (PM-POSHAN) – Eligibility, Benefits & Complete Details

Midday Meal Yojana (PM-POSHAN)

Overview

Midday Meal Yojana (PM-POSHAN) – Eligibility, Benefits & Complete Details

Midday Meal Yojana (PM-POSHAN) is one of India’s most impactful government schemes aimed at tackling childhood hunger and malnutrition while simultaneously boosting school education. As the world’s largest school meal program, it provides free, hot, and nutritious meals to millions of children enrolled in government and government-aided schools across the country.

By addressing the dual challenges of nutrition and education, the Midday Meal Yojana (PM-POSHAN) has become a cornerstone of India’s fight against poverty and inequality. In this article, Vacancy Connect brings you the complete notification about PM-POSHAN 2024, including eligibility, objectives, benefits, implementation, FAQs, and more.

 
FeatureDetails
Scheme NameMidday Meal Yojana (PM-POSHAN)
Launched Year1995 (Renamed as PM-POSHAN in 2021)
MinistryMinistry of Education, Government of India
TypeCentrally Sponsored Welfare Scheme
BeneficiariesChildren aged 6–14 years enrolled in Classes I–VIII of Government, Government-aided schools, Madarasas, Maqtabs, and Anganwadis
ObjectiveTo fight hunger & malnutrition, improve school attendance, and enhance learning outcomes
CoverageOver 11.8 crore children across 11.2 lakh schools in India
Nutritional SupportPrimary (450 kcal & 12g protein) and Upper Primary (700 kcal & 20g protein)
Special FeatureMeals prepared & served hot in schools with community involvement

Important Dates

EventDate
Initial Concept (Tamil Nadu – CM K. Kamaraj)1956
National Scheme Launch15 August 1995
Supreme Court Mandate for Cooked Meals2001
Expansion to Classes VI–VIII2007
Scheme renamed as PM-POSHAN2021

Application Fee

The Midday Meal Yojana (PM-POSHAN) is a government-funded social welfare program. There is no application fee for parents or students.

CategoryApplication Fee
GeneralNIL
OBCNIL
SC/STNIL
EWSNIL

Eligibility Criteria

CriteriaDetails
Age6–14 years
EducationChildren enrolled in Classes I to VIII in Government, Government-aided schools, Madarasas, Maqtabs, and Anganwadis
Family IncomeNo income limit – scheme is universal for school-going children

Beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries of the Midday Meal Yojana (PM-POSHAN) are:

  • Children aged 6 to 14 years enrolled in Classes I to VIII.

  • Students of government schools, government-aided schools, Madarasas, Maqtabs, and Anganwadis.

  • Children from marginalized, economically weaker, and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.


Objectives of PM-POSHAN

The scheme serves two major objectives:

  1. Nutritional Security – To fight hunger and malnutrition among school children by ensuring a daily supply of calories, protein, and micronutrients.

  2. Educational Support – To increase enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and improve learning outcomes by making schools more attractive to children, especially from poor families.


Key Benefits of Midday Meal Yojana (PM-POSHAN)

 Improved Nutrition

  • Provides 450–700 kcal and 12–20 grams of protein per child, per day.

  • Includes rice/wheat, pulses, vegetables, and sometimes eggs or milk.

  Increased Enrollment

  • Parents are more motivated to send their children to school as meals reduce household food expenses.

  • Particularly effective in boosting girl child enrollment.

  Enhanced Learning Outcomes

  • Well-fed children show better concentration, memory, and academic performance.

  • Studies link midday meals to higher test scores in mathematics and reading.

  Economic Relief

  • Saves families from spending extra on meals.

  • Reduces financial burden for low-income households.

  Social & Gender Equity

  • Children of all castes and communities sit together and eat, promoting social integration.

  • Encourages gender equality, as families are more willing to send girls to school.

  Women Empowerment

  • Many states employ women’s self-help groups (SHGs) as cooks and helpers, providing income opportunities.

  Community Involvement

  • Local communities and NGOs participate in monitoring and cooking.

  • Improves transparency and ownership.


Nutritional Standards under PM-POSHAN

CategoryCaloriesProtein
Primary (Classes I–V)450 kcal12g protein
Upper Primary (Classes VI–VIII)700 kcal20g protein

Food Groups Included:

  • Staples: Rice/Wheat

  • Pulses: Lentils, chickpeas

  • Vegetables: Seasonal & locally available

  • Extras: Eggs or milk in some states

Food Safety Measures

  • Procurement & Storage: Strict quality checks, pest-free warehouses.

  • Kitchen Hygiene: Mandatory sanitation protocols for utensils, water, and staff.

  • Cooking & Serving: Meals prepared fresh daily, served hot in schools.

  • Monitoring: Surprise inspections and food sample testing.


Role of State Governments

  • Financial Contribution: States share costs with the central government (approx. 40%).

  • Menu Flexibility: Menus adjusted based on local dietary preferences.

  • Monitoring & Inspection: Regular checks for quality, hygiene, and attendance.

  • Community Participation: Involvement of local self-help groups, panchayats, and NGOs.


How to Apply for Midday Meal Yojana

Parents do not need to apply separately for the scheme. Steps:

  1. Enroll your child in a government or government-aided school.

  2. Ensure regular attendance in school.

  3. The school automatically provides free midday meals.

Midday Meal Yojana

Important Links

LinkURL
Notification Click Here
About SchemeClick Here
Sarkari ResultClick Here
Telegram GroupJoin Now
WhatsApp ChannelJoin Now
Official WebsiteClick Here

FAQ –

Q1. Who is eligible under PM-POSHAN?
Children aged 6–14 years, studying in Classes I–VIII of government and government-aided schools.

Q2. What is the nutritional standard?
Primary children get 450 kcal & 12g protein, upper primary children get 700 kcal & 20g protein daily.

Q3. Do parents have to pay for meals?
No, the scheme is 100% free for all eligible children.

Q4. How is food safety ensured?
Meals undergo quality checks, inspections, and hygiene protocols.

Q5. How many children benefit from PM-POSHAN?
Over 11.8 crore students across India.


Head Office Address

Department of School Education & Literacy
Ministry of Education, Government of India
Shastri Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road,
New Delhi – 110001

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