PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) is a flagship school nutrition scheme of the Government of India implemented by the Ministry of Education. Under this scheme, children studying in Balvatika and Classes I to VIII in eligible Government and Government-aided schools receive a hot cooked meal on every school day to improve their nutritional status, support healthy growth, and encourage regular school attendance. Eligible students are covered automatically through their schools, and no separate application is required.
PM POSHAN Yojana Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) |
| Former Name | Mid-Day Meal Scheme |
| Launched By | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Implementing Department | Department of School Education and Literacy |
| Scheme Type | Central Government School Nutrition Scheme |
| Legal Basis | National Food Security Act, 2013 |
| Objective | Provide nutritious cooked meals and improve enrolment, attendance, and learning outcomes |
| Eligible Beneficiaries | Children studying in Balvatika and Classes I to VIII in eligible Government and Government-aided schools |
| Benefits | Free hot cooked meal on every school day |
| Application Mode | No separate application; eligible children are covered through their school |
| Official Portal | pmposhan.education.gov.in |
| Official Scheme Page | dsel.education.gov.in |
Introduction of PM POSHAN Yojana: A Brief Insight
Many children across India attend school without having a nutritious meal at home, which can affect their health, concentration, and regular attendance. To address this challenge, the Government of India implements the PM POSHAN Yojana, ensuring that eligible school children receive a nutritious hot cooked meal on every school day.
PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) is a flagship school nutrition programme of the Ministry of Education. Implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, the scheme aims to improve children’s nutritional status while encouraging enrolment, regular attendance, and better learning outcomes in schools.
Under the PM POSHAN Yojana of the Central Government, children studying in Balvatika and Classes I to VIII in eligible Government and Government-aided schools receive a hot cooked meal prepared according to the prescribed nutritional standards. The programme also promotes initiatives such as Tithi Bhojan, School Nutrition Gardens, and regular health-related activities to support the overall well-being of children.
Eligible students are covered automatically through their schools. Parents are not required to submit any separate application or fulfil any income criteria. Once a child is admitted to an eligible school, the school authorities manage enrolment, meal distribution, and record maintenance under the scheme.
The Central Government and the State Governments jointly share the expenditure on food grains, cooking costs, transportation, and honoraria for cooks and helpers as per the approved funding pattern. The implementation of the scheme is monitored through digital reporting systems to promote transparency and effective delivery.
Today, PM POSHAN benefits more than 11.80 crore children studying in over 11.20 lakh schools across the country, making it one of the world’s largest school meal programmes.
Families expecting a child or caring for young children can also explore the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which provides maternity benefits to eligible pregnant and lactating women. Mothers may also benefit from the Janani Suraksha Yojana, which promotes institutional deliveries and improves maternal and newborn health. Together, these schemes support children’s well-being from birth through their school years.
To explore more welfare programmes introduced by the Government of India, visit our Central Government Schemes section.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
Eligible children covered under the PM POSHAN Yojana receive the following benefits during every school day:
Nutrition Support
- Free hot cooked meal on every school day
- Meals prepared according to the prescribed calorie and protein norms
- Nutritious menu prepared using the prescribed quantity of food grains
- Additional nutrition such as eggs, milk, fruits, or chikki in identified districts and areas, subject to State Government provisions
Health and Well-being
- Promotion of School Nutrition Gardens to encourage the use of fresh vegetables and healthy eating habits
- Support for regular health-related activities, including Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation and deworming programmes in convergence with the concerned departments
- Tithi Bhojan initiative to encourage community participation in providing special meals on designated occasions
Educational Benefits
- Encourages regular school attendance and enrolment
- Helps improve children’s nutritional status and overall development
- Supports better concentration and learning in classrooms
Nutritional Norms under PM POSHAN Yojana
| Particular | Balvatika & Primary (Classes I-V) | Upper Primary (Classes VI-VIII) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 450 Calories | 700 Calories |
| Protein | 12 Grams | 20 Grams |
| Food Grains | 100 Grams | 150 Grams |
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
Children become eligible for benefits under the PM POSHAN Yojana automatically after enrolling in an eligible school. No separate application or income-based eligibility verification is required.
- Must be enrolled in Balvatika or Classes I to VIII
- Must study in an eligible Government, Government-aided, or other eligible schools covered under the PM POSHAN guidelines
- No minimum or maximum family income limit is prescribed
- Benefits are available irrespective of caste, religion, gender, or social category
- Children affected by drought, natural disasters, or other notified emergencies may receive benefits as per the applicable Government guidelines
Who Is Not Eligible
- Children studying in private unaided schools are not covered under the scheme
- Students enrolled in classes above Class VIII
- Children studying in institutions that are not covered under the PM POSHAN guidelines
Documents Required to be Attached
No separate documents are required to avail benefits under the PM POSHAN Yojana. Eligible children are covered automatically after taking admission in a school covered under the scheme.
- No separate application form is required.
- No additional documents need to be submitted specifically for PM POSHAN.
- Students only need to complete the regular admission process of the eligible school.
- The school maintains the necessary student records for providing benefits under the scheme.
Note: Schools may collect documents such as age proof, Aadhaar (where applicable), or other records during the admission process as per their admission requirements. However, these documents are not prescribed separately for availing benefits under the PM POSHAN Yojana.
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Eligible children do not need to submit a separate application to receive benefits under the PM POSHAN Yojana. Once a child is admitted to an eligible school, the school automatically covers the student under the scheme. The application process is as follows:
Step 1: Enrol the child in an eligible Government, Government-aided, or other school covered under the PM POSHAN Yojana for Balvatika or Classes I to VIII.
Step 2: Complete the school’s regular admission process by submitting the documents required by the school.
Step 3: After admission is confirmed, the school automatically includes the child under the PM POSHAN Yojana. No separate registration or application form is required.
Step 4: The child starts receiving a free hot cooked meal on every school day as per the prescribed nutritional norms.
Step 5: The school continues providing benefits under the scheme as long as the child remains enrolled and attends the eligible school.
Important: Parents are not required to submit a separate application, pay any fee, or renew the scheme benefits every year. Coverage under PM POSHAN continues automatically while the child remains enrolled in an eligible school.
Difference Between Mid-Day Meal Scheme and PM POSHAN
The PM POSHAN Yojana is the revamped version of the erstwhile Mid-Day Meal Scheme. While the primary objective of providing nutritious meals to school children remains unchanged, PM POSHAN introduces several new components to strengthen nutrition, community participation, and programme implementation.
| Particular | Mid-Day Meal Scheme | PM POSHAN Yojana |
|---|---|---|
| Official Name | Mid-Day Meal Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) |
| Coverage | Classes I to VIII | Balvatika and Classes I to VIII |
| Community Participation | Limited | Includes the Tithi Bhojan initiative |
| School Nutrition Gardens | Not a dedicated component | Promotes School Nutrition Gardens |
| Support During Emergencies | Limited provisions | Provides meals or Food Security Allowance during notified school closures, subject to Government guidelines |
| Additional Nutrition | General nutritional support | Additional nutritional interventions in identified areas as per Government guidelines |
| Local Procurement | Limited focus | Encourages procurement from Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and local sources |
Note: PM POSHAN continues the core objective of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme while expanding its coverage, strengthening nutritional support, and promoting greater community participation and transparency.
Important Links Available
- PM POSHAN Portal – Official Website
- PM POSHAN Scheme Page – Department of School Education and Literacy
- PM POSHAN Scheme Guidelines (PDF)
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Department: Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India
- Address: Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001
- Director, PM POSHAN: +91-11-23070186
- Deputy Secretary, PM POSHAN: +91-11-23382921
- Email: directorpmpy-moe[at]gov[dot]in
- Local Assistance: Parents may contact the concerned school or the District Education Office for scheme-related assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is PM POSHAN Yojana?
Ans. PM POSHAN, or Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman, is a Central Government scheme that provides free hot cooked meals to children studying in Balvatika and Classes I to VIII in eligible schools covered under the scheme.
Q. What was PM POSHAN known as earlier?
Ans. PM POSHAN was earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS).
Q. Who is eligible for benefits under PM POSHAN?
Ans. Children enrolled in Balvatika and Classes I to VIII in Government, Government-aided, and other eligible schools covered under the scheme are eligible.
Q. Is a separate application required for PM POSHAN?
Ans. No. Eligible children are covered automatically after admission to a school covered under the PM POSHAN Yojana.
Q. Are any separate documents required to avail PM POSHAN benefits?
Ans. No. There is no separate document requirement for PM POSHAN. Students only need to complete the regular admission process of the eligible school.
Q. Is PM POSHAN available in private schools?
Ans. No. The scheme is generally not available in private unaided schools that are not covered under the PM POSHAN guidelines.
Q. What meals are provided under PM POSHAN?
Ans. Eligible children receive a free hot cooked meal on every school day based on the nutritional norms prescribed under the scheme.
Q. What is Tithi Bhojan under PM POSHAN?
Ans. Tithi Bhojan is a community participation initiative under which individuals or organisations may voluntarily provide special meals to school children on festivals, birthdays, anniversaries, or other occasions.
Q. Does PM POSHAN provide benefits during natural disasters?
Ans. During notified school closures caused by natural disasters or similar emergencies, eligible children may receive meals or a Food Security Allowance as per Government guidelines.
Q. Which ministry implements PM POSHAN?
Ans. The Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, implements the PM POSHAN Yojana.
Q. Where can I download the official PM POSHAN guidelines?
Ans. The official PM POSHAN guidelines are available on the PM POSHAN portal under the Guidelines section.
Q. Whom should parents contact for PM POSHAN-related queries?
Ans. Parents should first contact the concerned school. If further assistance is required, they may approach the District Education Office or the Department of School Education and Literacy.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.