PM POSHAN scheme is running in Government and Government aided schools across India, and every eligible child gets a hot cooked meal on all school days. The earlier term of this scheme ended on 31 March 2026, and the central government has extended it till 30 September 2026, so the meals continue without any break for students.
For the financial year 2026-27, the government has set aside ₹12,750 crore for PM POSHAN. Over 11 crore children in more than 10.35 lakh schools get a hot meal every school day under this scheme, which is the biggest school feeding program in the world.
PM POSHAN - Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment - Introduction
PM POSHAN, earlier known as the Mid Day Meal scheme, is run by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education. This scheme gives one hot cooked meal to every child in Government and Government aided schools on all school days. The meal follows fixed nutrition standards so that children get enough calories and protein for their age.
The scheme covers children of all genders, religions and social backgrounds without any difference. It solves two problems together: poor nutrition and low school attendance. When a child gets a full meal at school, parents feel free to send the child regularly, and the child can focus on studies instead of an empty stomach.
PM POSHAN is a centrally sponsored scheme under the National Food Security Act, 2013. The central government bears the full cost of food grains, which are supplied through the Food Corporation of India. The cooking cost is shared between the centre and the states in a 60:40 ratio, and for the North Eastern states this sharing is 90:10.
Key Information
| Key | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | PM POSHAN - Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Health & Wellness, Social welfare & Empowerment |
| Beneficiary Type | Individual |
| Benefit Type | In Kind |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Implementing Agency | Ministry of Education |
| Official Website | pmposhan.education.gov.in |
Benefits
Every child gets a nutritious hot cooked meal on every school day. These meals follow strict calorie and protein standards to support healthy growth. The nutrition norms fixed for the scheme are given below.
Nutrition Standards per Child per Day
| Category | Calories (kcal) | Protein (grams) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | 450 | 12 |
| Upper Primary | 700 | 20 |
Food Quantity Standards per Child per Day
| Components | Primary | Upper Primary |
|---|---|---|
| Food Grains | 100 gms | 150 gms |
| Pulses | 20 gms | 30 gms |
| Vegetables | 50 gms | 75 gms |
| Oil and Fat | 5 gms | 7.5 gms |
In addition to regular students, this scheme also covers children in pre school or Bal Vatika programs within primary schools. The government gives about 26 lakh tonnes of food grains every year through the Food Corporation of India and pays the full cost of food grains plus their transport from FCI depots to schools.
Material Cost Revision
The material cost for cooking meals was increased by 9.5% with effect from 1 May 2025. For Bal Vatika and primary classes, the cost is now ₹6.78 per child per day, and for upper primary classes it is ₹10.17 per child per day. Earlier these rates were ₹6.19 and ₹9.29. The total cost of one meal, including food grains, comes to about ₹12.13 for primary classes and ₹17.62 for upper primary classes. States are free to add more from their own funds, and many states already give more than the minimum rate.
Fortified Rice and Nutrition Gardens
The government has been giving fortified rice with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 under this scheme to fight anaemia in children. In February 2026, the distribution of fortified rice under the free ration scheme was temporarily stopped due to concerns about nutrient loss during storage, but PM POSHAN continues to use fortified rice from the existing stocks. The government is reviewing the storage and distribution process.
Schools are also setting up nutrition gardens to grow fresh vegetables for the meals. More than 4 lakh schools have started these gardens, which bring down cooking costs and add fresh produce to the plate. Meal service and attendance are now tracked through the Poshan Tracker app, and Aadhaar based attendance is being used to make sure the meal reaches the right child.
Eligibility
To get the benefit of this scheme, your child should match the following points:
- The child must be an Indian citizen.
- The child must be enrolled in a Government or Government aided school.
- The child must be studying in any class from Bal Vatika to class 8.
Application Process
There is no online application process or complex registration for this scheme. Since it is a school based scheme, every child enrolled in a participating Government or Government aided school automatically becomes a beneficiary. The school management handles the meal arrangements directly.
The government also runs the national nutrition mission Poshan Abhiyaan for children and mothers, and PM POSHAN supports the same goal inside schools. Parents can contact the school headmaster if they have any question about the meal.
Documents
No documents are required to get the benefits of this scheme. The child's enrollment in the school is enough, and the meal is served automatically during school hours. It is an inclusive scheme made to support all eligible students easily.
References
Official PM POSHAN Website - Ministry of Education
PM POSHAN Scheme Details - Department of School Education and Literacy
PIB Press Release - Material Cost Enhancement
PIB Press Release - PM POSHAN Scheme
FAQ's
What is PM POSHAN - Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment?
This scheme provides hot, healthy meals to students in Government and Government aided schools to boost their health and support their education.
Has PM POSHAN been closed in 2026?
No. The earlier term of the scheme ended on 31 March 2026, but the government has extended it till 30 September 2026 or till the date the scheme gets approval for the next five year cycle, whichever comes earlier. Meals are continuing as usual in schools.
Who can get benefits from this scheme?
Every student studying in Bal Vatika up to class 8 in Government or Government aided schools can receive these meals. For example, if little Rahul attends a local government primary school, he will receive his meal automatically during school hours.
Are the meals nutritious?
Yes, every meal follows strict nutrition guidelines including a balance of pulses, grains, vegetables, and fats to satisfy daily protein and calorie requirements.
Is there any discrimination in serving food?
No, this scheme promotes equality. All children eat the same nutritious meal together in school, regardless of their gender, religion, or caste.
Do I need to apply for this scheme?
No, you do not need to submit applications. Your child is automatically covered upon enrollment in any eligible Government or Government aided school.
How does this scheme help students?
It helps in two ways: it provides required daily nutrition to growing children and encourages increased attendance as students do not have to worry about skipping lunch.