Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme provides a free, nutritious morning meal to government school children from 1st to 5th standard on every working day to improve their health and school participation. Tamil Nadu government launched this scheme on 15 September 2022 at Madurai, and it now covers more than 5,016 government primary schools across the state.
This is a state-level scheme run by the Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment of the Tamil Nadu government. The scheme now reaches over 14 lakh primary school children, and it started with 1,545 schools and 1,14,095 students at a cost of ₹33.56 crores. The government has expanded the coverage to all remaining schools in a phased manner.
Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme - Introduction
Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme serves as a vital scheme by the Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment within the Tamil Nadu government to support school students. Children from 1st to 5th standard attending government schools receive a healthy breakfast on every working day of the week.
During the first phase, the government selected corporations, municipalities, and panchayats based on high anemia prevalence, economically backward status, and tribal habitation needs. Since then the scheme has grown steadily, and as of 2026 it covers more than 5,016 government primary schools and over 14 lakh children across the state.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Tamil Nadu |
| Category | Social welfare and Empowerment |
| Nodal Department | Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment |
| Implementing Agency | Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women |
| Benefit Type | In Kind |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Coverage | More than 5,016 government primary schools and over 14 lakh children |
Benefits
Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme provides the following support for primary school students:
Children receive free breakfast daily from Monday to Friday during school working days. The menu includes a variety of 13 nutritious food items designed to support their health. Each meal gives roughly 350 calories of balanced nutrition, and the raw material used is about 50 grams per child per day.
| Day | Category | Breakfast Items |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Uppama | Rava, Vermicelli, Rice, or Wheat Rava Uppama with Vegetable Sambhar |
| Tuesday | Khichadi | Rava, Vermicelli, Sorghum, or Wheat Rava Vegetable Kitchadi |
| Wednesday | Pongal | Rava Pongal with Vegetable Sambhar or Regular Pongal with Vegetable Sambhar |
| Thursday | Uppama | Vermicelli, Rice, Rava, or Wheat Rava Uppama with Vegetable Sambhar |
| Friday | Sweet | Sweet Pongal, Rava Kesari, or Vermicelli Kesari |
Locally available millet based breakfast is also used for at least two days a week. Each meal helps provide about 293.40 calories of energy, 9.85 grams of protein, 5.91 grams of fat, 1.64 grams of iron, and 20.41 grams of calcium for every child.
Eligibility
To take part in this scheme, a child must meet the following criteria:
The child should be enrolled as a student in a government school in Tamil Nadu. The scheme covers children studying in classes 1st through 5th. Coverage is tied to the school, not to any family application, so every enrolled student in a covered government primary school automatically gets the benefit.
Application Process
There is no online application process and no form to submit for this scheme. The school handles the enrollment automatically, and children simply receive their breakfast at school on working days. Parents do not need to register their child separately for the meal.
STEP 1 - Enroll the child in an eligible Tamil Nadu government primary school for classes 1st to 5th. School admission is what makes a child a beneficiary of this scheme.
STEP 2 - Confirm with the school headmaster that the school is part of the Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme. New schools keep getting added, so it is good to check the latest official list.
STEP 3 - Send the child to school on time. Breakfast is served in school before 8 AM, so the child should reach early on working days to get the meal.
STEP 4 - Do not pay anyone or fill any registration form for this scheme. The meal is free and served to the whole class together.
Documents
No documents are required to receive the breakfast benefit. Every student enrolled in classes 1st through 5th in a Tamil Nadu government school is automatically eligible to take part in this scheme. Documents such as a birth certificate, Aadhaar, and address proof are only used at the time of normal school admission.
References
FAQ's
What is Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme?
Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme makes sure primary school children from 1st to 5th standard in government schools receive a nutritious breakfast on all working days.
What are the eligibility criteria for this scheme?
A child must be a student in a government school in Tamil Nadu, studying between classes 1st and 5th, to get the free breakfast.
How can I apply for this scheme?
There is no application needed. The school administration manages the breakfast distribution for all eligible students automatically.
How many children benefit from this scheme?
The scheme now covers more than 5,016 government primary schools and over 14 lakh children across Tamil Nadu.
What is the primary objective of this scheme?
The main aim is to fight malnutrition and improve the health and concentration of children, which helps them perform better in studies.
How often is breakfast served?
Breakfast is served to children daily, Monday through Friday, on all school working days before 8 AM.
Is there any fee for this breakfast?
No, the government provides this breakfast fully free to all eligible students.
Does this scheme improve school attendance?
Yes, by addressing hunger, the scheme helps improve student attendance and focus in the classroom.