**Summary:**
In response to a parliamentary question regarding the use of facial recognition for beneficiary verification under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme (formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme), the Ministry of Education clarifies that it has not mandated facial recognition technology for this purpose. The PM POSHAN Scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative implemented in partnership with states and union territories, aims to provide one hot, cooked, and nutritious meal to approximately 11 crore children in Bal Vatika (pre-primary) and Classes I to VIII in government and government-aided schools across the country (over 10.35 lakh schools). While the Ministry of Education has not issued directives for mandatory facial recognition, the overall responsibility for the scheme's implementation rests with the State Governments and UT Administrations. An Automated Monitoring System is in place to monitor the daily coverage of the scheme. The response addresses concerns regarding increased administrative burden, technical difficulties, potential exclusion of beneficiaries due to technological failures, and the consideration of alternative verification methods, reiterating the Ministry's position that facial recognition is not a mandatory requirement imposed by the central government.
Key Entities Referenced
MidDay Meal Scheme: A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing hot cooked meals to children in government and government-aided schools, now known as PM POSHAN Scheme.
Shri Gaurav Gogoi: Member of Parliament who raised questions regarding the facial recognition of beneficiaries under the MidDay Meal Scheme.
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for education in India, which answered the questions raised in the Lok Sabha.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education who provided the answers to the questions raised in the Lok Sabha.
Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman PM POSHAN Scheme: The revised name for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, a centrally sponsored scheme providing nutritious meals to school children.
States and UTs: States and Union Territories of India, which partner with the central government to implement the PM POSHAN Scheme.
Automated Monitoring System: A platform developed to monitor the daily coverage of the PM POSHAN Scheme.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where questions about the MidDay Meal Scheme were raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No: 2309
ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2025
Facial Recognition of Beneficiaries under Mid-Day Meal Scheme
2309. Shri Gaurav Gogoi:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has made facial recognition mandatory for verification of
beneficiaries under the Mid-Day Meal Schemes in the country, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether school staff has reported an increased administrative burden and difficulties due to
the system, including frequent technical glitches, network issues and delays in service delivery;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any assessments or consultations with frontline
workers before implementing this mandate;
(d) the steps being taken to ensure that genuine beneficiaries are not excluded due to
technological failures or lack of access to compatible devices;
(e) whether the Government is considering any alternative or parallel methods of verification
to ensure inclusivity and reduce the burden on ground-level staff; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (f): Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme, earlier known
as Mid-Day Meal Scheme is one of the foremost rights based Centrally Sponsored Scheme
implemented in partnership with the States and UTs for providing one hot cooked and
nutritious meal to all children studying in Bal Vatika (just before class-I) and classes I to VIII
of Government and Government-aided schools. The Scheme covers about 11 crore children in
more than 10.35 lakh schools in all the States/ UTs.
The beneficiaries under the Scheme are all children studying in Bal Vatika and classes I to VIII
of Government and Government-aided schools. All the eligible children are entitled to one hot
cooked nutritious meal on all school days. Ministry of Education has not issued any direction
to make facial recognition mandatory for availing meals. However, the overall responsibility
for implementation of the Scheme lies with State Governments and UT Administrations. A
robust platform called Automated Monitoring System has been developed to monitor daily
coverage of the Scheme.
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