Kerala government's Poshaka Balyam Scheme continues to serve milk and eggs to children aged 3 to 6 years in Anganwadis and preschools across the state. The nutritious childhood project, launched on 2 August 2022, aims to reduce malnutrition and stunted growth among young children.
For the 2025-26 financial year, the state government expanded the scheme to provide milk and eggs on three days each week instead of two. The Women and Child Development (WCD) Department runs the scheme with support from local self-government agencies, MILMA and Kudumbashree.
About Kerala Poshaka Balyam Scheme
Kerala launched the Poshaka Balyam Scheme on 2 August 2022 as the first child nutrition program of its kind in the country. The scheme was started by the former Left Democratic Front (LDF) government under former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. It covers children in the age group of 3 to 6 years who attend Anganwadis and preschools.
The health and family welfare department and the local self-governance (LSG) department worked together to reach children in Anganwadis across the state. The state-owned MILMA of the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF) and Kudumbashree, the women self-help group network, supply milk and eggs to the children.
Though UNICEF ranked Kerala 2nd among Indian states in the percentage of children aged 6-23 months receiving a minimum acceptable diet, the government has kept working to remove malnutrition and stunted growth among children. The state has rolled out several programs to improve the physical, mental and intellectual well-being of children.
Highlights of the Scheme
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Poshaka Balyam Scheme |
| Launched By | Women and Child Development Department, Kerala |
| Launched On | 2 August 2022 |
| Beneficiaries | Children aged 3 to 6 years in Anganwadis |
| Benefits | Milk and eggs every week |
| Budget (2025-26) | Rs 79.16 crore |
| Official Website | WCD Scheme Portal |
Expansion for 2025-26
In the 2025-26 financial year, the state government increased the supply under the scheme. Children now get milk and eggs on three days each week, instead of two days earlier. The government approved around Rs 80 crore for the year, with about Rs 45.63 crore for eggs and Rs 34.32 crore for milk.
Around 2.9 lakh children in Anganwadis get the benefit under the scheme. Each child receives 125 ml of milk on the days it is served. Milk comes from MILMA and local milk societies, while eggs are supplied from poultry farms run through the Kudumbashree network.
Strict Implementation and Recent Updates
The Kerala Human Rights Commission has directed the authorities to make sure milk and eggs are given regularly and in the right quantity at Anganwadis under the scheme. The Commission acted after receiving complaints that some centres were not following the prescribed quantity of milk.
During the severe heat in April 2026, the WCD Department told Anganwadi workers to visit children's homes and make sure they still get milk and eggs. Parents were not forced to send children to Anganwadis during the heat, but the nutrition support continued at home.
More Emphasis on Child Nutrition
The government has been running several programs to bring nutritious food to children. In addition to the Amrutham Nutrimix given to children under the take-home ration, the Poshaka Balyam Scheme adds milk and eggs to the diet. The ICDS also runs six schemes through Anganwadis for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The state has also rolled out a 1000 days service that covers the period from a woman's pregnancy to the second birthday of the child. The scheme helps to follow up with the child and mother during this important phase.
Official Website and Application
Poshaka Balyam Scheme is a continuing scheme of the Kerala government. The official scheme application portal of the Women and Child Development Department is available at schemes.wcd.kerala.gov.in. The department order for the 2025-26 rollout can be checked on the official WCD website at wcd.kerala.gov.in.
For more details on other welfare programs, see the Kerala government schemes list.
FAQ's
Is the Poshaka Balyam Scheme still running?
Yes, the scheme is a continuing program of the Kerala government. It now provides milk and eggs on three days each week to children aged 3 to 6 years in Anganwadis.
Who runs the Poshaka Balyam Scheme?
The Women and Child Development Department of the Kerala government runs the scheme with support from local self-government agencies, MILMA and Kudumbashree.
How much milk does each child get?
Each child receives 125 ml of milk on the days milk is served under the scheme.