PM-POSHAN Scheme

Why in News?

Earlier this year, seven states and UTs urged the Centre to include breakfast in the PM-POSHAN midday meal scheme, and government sources now indicate that the proposal is once again under active consideration.

• PM POSHAN - Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment, a centrally sponsored scheme to improve the nutritional status of children studying in classes I-VIII in eligible schools.
• It is also known as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman.
• Earlier known as – The National Programme of Mid-Day Meal in Schools is one of the foremost rights-based schemes, under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
• Nodal Ministry – Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education.
• Objective – To address two of the pressing problems for the majority of children in India, viz.
  • Hunger & education by improving the nutritional status of children,
  • Encouraging poor children, belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly and help them concentrate on classroom activities.
• Umbrella Scheme under – It is part of POSHAN Abhiyaan under the umbrella scheme "Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS)".
• Eligibility
  • Citizen of India.
  • Studying in Class I–VIII in Govt./Govt.-aided schools.
  • In some states include pre-primary children are included in attached schools.
• Nutritional norms
  • Primary (I–V): 450 calories, 12g protein.
  • Upper Primary (VI–VIII): 700 calories, 20g protein.
• Implementation – The Scheme is implemented across the country, covering all the eligible children without any discrimination of gender and social class.
• Benefits – Under this scheme, one hot cooked meal will be provided to the children studying in Government and Government–aided schools (One hot cooked meal per school day).

Quick Fact

References

1. Indian Express | Centre deliberates on suggestions by states, UTs on PM-POSHAN
2. My Scheme | PM POSHAN