Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme, formerly known as the National Programme of Mid-Day Meal, was renamed in September 2021. This centrally sponsored initiative aims to provide hot cooked meals to students in Government and Government-aided schools. It serves students from Balvatika to Class VIII on all school days. The scheme addresses hunger and education, focusing on nutritional support and increasing school participation.

Objectives of the Scheme

The scheme has several key objectives. It aims to improve the nutritional status of children in Government and Government-aided schools. It encourages attendance among disadvantaged children. The scheme also provides nutritional support during summer vacations in drought and disaster-affected areas.

Financial Aspects

Recently, the material cost for midday meals increased by 9.5%. This change will incur an additional ₹954 crore for the financial year 2025-26. The revised material cost per student per day is ₹6.78 for Balvatika and primary students, up from ₹6.19. For upper primary students, the cost rose to ₹10.17 from ₹9.29.

Nutritional Requirements

The scheme prescribes specific nutritional requirements. Balvatika and primary students require 20g of pulses, 50g of vegetables, and 5g of oil. Upper primary students need 30g of pulses, 75g of vegetables, and 7.5g of oil. These standards ensure that students receive adequate nutrition to support their educational activities.

Data and Monitoring

The Labour Bureau of the Ministry of Labour monitors inflation for food items under the PM-POSHAN basket. This data is based on the Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers (CPI-RL). The CPI-RL is compiled using monthly prices from a sample of 600 villages across 20 states.

Scale of the Scheme

The PM-POSHAN scheme serves approximately 11.20 crore students across 10.36 lakh schools. It aims to enhance school participation and provide essential nutritional support. The Centre also supplies about 26 lakh Metric Tonnes of food grains through the Food Corporation of India.

Cost Breakdown

The total per meal cost, including food grains, is around ₹12.13 for Balvatika and primary classes. For upper primary classes, the cost is approximately ₹17.62. The Centre covers 100% of the food grain costs, including subsidies and transportation.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2025

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs