Mid-Day Meal (Now PM POSHAN): Nutrition and a Hot Meal in Government Schools
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme was renamed PM POSHAN (PM Poshan Shakti Nirman) in 2021. It gives children of Balvatika and Classes 1 to 8 in government and government-aided schools one hot cooked meal on every school day.
Scheme at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | PM POSHAN (formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme) |
| Launched | 1995; renamed in 2021 |
| Beneficiaries | Children of Balvatika and Classes 1 to 8 in government and aided schools |
| Benefit | One hot cooked meal every school day, free of cost |
| Coverage | About 11.2 crore children, 10.36 lakh schools |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education (Centrally Sponsored Scheme) |
| How to Apply | No separate application; benefit comes with enrolment in the school |
Latest Status
- From 1 May 2025 the food material cost was raised by 9.5%: ₹6.19 to ₹6.78 for Balvatika and primary, and ₹9.29 to ₹10.17 for upper primary, per child per day. These are minimum rates and states can add more.
- The Centre bears the full cost of foodgrains and their transport.
- The cooking costs seen in older tables (₹4.48 and ₹6.71) are outdated.
Key Benefits
- Free hot meal at school
- Higher enrolment and attendance
- Fewer children dropping out
- Better nutrition levels for children
Nutrition Norms Per Child
| Item | Primary (Class 1 to 5) | Upper Primary (Class 6 to 8) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 450 | 700 |
| Protein | 12 g | 20 g |
| Foodgrains | 100 g | 150 g |
| Pulses | 20 g | 30 g |
| Vegetables | 50 g | 75 g |
| Oil and fat | 5 g | 7.5 g |
Salt and spices as needed. Norms follow the scheme guidelines.
Cook-cum-Helpers
- 1 cook-cum-helper for schools with up to 25 students.
- 2 for schools with 26 to 100 students.
- 1 additional for every extra 100 students beyond that.
Who Is Eligible
- Children of Balvatika and Classes 1 to 8 in government, government-aided and local body schools.
- Children of madrasas and maktabs supported under Samagra Shiksha, where applicable.
- No condition of income, caste or religion.
How the Benefit Reaches You
- Get the child enrolled in an eligible school.
- The school arranges the meal based on daily attendance.
- No application or documents are needed.
- For complaints on quality or hygiene, tell the headmaster, the School Management Committee or Rajasthan Sampark on 181.
Important Government Links
Helpline and Contact
Rajasthan Sampark181
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Mid-Day Meal been closed?
- No. It was renamed PM POSHAN and continues.
Do I need to apply?
- No. Enrolment in an eligible school gives the benefit.
Do Anganwadi children get the same meal?
- No. For children up to 6 years, Anganwadi Services and Poshan 2.0 are separate.
Important Notes
- Rules, dates and amounts can change. Check an official source before deciding.
- Emitrawala.com is not a government website. This page is for information only.
- Do not pay money or share OTPs in the name of this scheme.
Need Help?
For help with forms, documents or any government service, contact Emitrawala.com. Our team will assist you.
