**Summary of NHRC Notice Regarding Nalanda Mid-Day Meal Incident**
On May 26, 2026, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, took *suo motu* cognizance of reports regarding a food poisoning incident in the Nalanda district of Bihar.
**Incident Details**
On May 21, 2026, approximately 60 students at a government-run school fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal. The affected students exhibited symptoms including vomiting, nausea, stomach aches, and loose motion, necessitating admission to various nearby hospitals. Investigative reports indicate that the meal was served to students without being pre-tasted by teachers, which is a mandatory safety requirement. Furthermore, a teacher who consumed the food after students began reporting illnesses also became sick and required hospitalization.
**Commission Action**
The NHRC observed that these allegations, if proven true, constitute a significant violation of the students' human rights. Consequently, the Commission has issued a formal notice to the District Magistrate (DM) of Nalanda, Bihar.
**Key Requirements and Metrics**
* **Action Required:** Submission of a detailed report by the Nalanda District Magistrate.
* **Timeline:** The report must be submitted within two weeks.
* **Affected Parties:** 60 students and at least one teacher.
* **Release ID:** 2265621
* **Location:** Nalanda district, Bihar.
* **Date of Incident:** May 21, 2026.
* **Notice Date:** May 26, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Nalanda, Bihar: The primary location where the incident of students falling ill after consuming the school meal occurred.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The statutory body that took suo motu cognizance of the incident as a potential violation of human rights.
Mid-day meal scheme: The government program under which students were served food that led to mass illness in a government-run school.
District Magistrate, Nalanda: The administrative official issued a notice by the NHRC to provide a detailed report on the food poisoning incident.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the
media report about 60 students falling ill after
consuming mid-day meal in the Nalanda district,
Bihar
Issues a notice to the Nalanda DM, calling for a detailed
report on the matter within two weeks
Posted On: 26 MAY 2026 8:28PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
that on May 21, 2026, 60 students fell ill after consuming mid-day meal in a government-run school in the
Nalanda district, Bihar. Reportedly, the students complained of vomiting, stomach ache, nausea and loose
motion, after which they were admitted to different nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issue of violation
of human rights of the students. Therefore, it has issued a notice to the District Magistrate, Nalanda, Bihar,
calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
According to the media report, carried on May 21, 2026, the mid-day meal was served to the students
without being tasted by the teachers, as required. After several students complained of illness, a teacher
reportedly consumed the food but also fell sick and had to be rushed to the hospital.
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NSK
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