Parliament Question: Inclusion of breakfast under the PM-POSHAN scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4192 ANSWERED ON- 01.04.2026 Inclusion of breakfast under the PM-POSHAN scheme 4192 Shri Milind Murli Deora: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has received proposals from States and Union Territories to include breakfast under the PM-POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal) scheme; (b) the names of the States and UTs that have submitted such proposals; (c) the criteria and cost implications being examined for inclusion of breakfast; (d) whether the Ministry has consulted the Ministry of Finance regarding budgetary provisions; and (e) the expected impact on nutritional levels and school attendance of children? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) to (e): Education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution of India and the majority of schools are under the administrative control of the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) administration. The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) 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 overall responsibility for providing hot cooked and nutritious meal to the eligible children lies with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. There is a provision of flexi component to be used by the States/ UTs for Supplementary Nutrition interventions. Few States like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu provide breakfast along with mid- day meal to children. Many States/ UTs provide additional supplementary nutrition interventions like milk, egg, chikki, fresh fruits, chicken, ragi malt etc. Few States and UTs provide additional items such as milk, egg, fruits etc. to students from their own resources. The States and UTs are encouraged to decide menu suitable to the local conditions within the prescribed nutrition and food norms and to procure locally grown food items like millets, vegetables, condiments etc. *****