Parliament Question: Nutrition Equivalence in PM POSHAN Substitutions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2454 ANSWERED ON- 03.08.2026 Nutrition Equivalence in PM POSHAN Substitutions

2454. Shri Azad Kirti Jha:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has prescribed a nutrition-equivalence protocol before eggs or other protein-rich food items are replaced under PM POSHAN, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether such protocol considers protein quality, bio-availability, micronutrient density, cost per child, local acceptability and supply reliability, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of States and districts where such substitution was permitted during the last five years and the current year;

(d) whether substitution was permitted in any case without a recorded nutrition assessment; and

(e) if so, the reasons therefor and the corrective steps taken thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (e): Education is part of the Concurrent List of the Constitution and most of the Government Schools and School Boards are under the administration of the State Government and Union Territory (UT) Administrations. PM POSHAN Scheme is implemented in partnership with the State Governments and UT Administrations. The overall responsibility for providing hot and nutritious meal to all children studying in Bal Vatika (just before class 1) and classes I to VIII of Government and Government aided schools lies with the State Governments and UT Administrations. 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.Under the PM Poshan Scheme, one hot cooked meal is provided to all eligible children on all school working days. As per the provisions of National Food Security Act, 2013 and the Guidelines of the Scheme, the nutritional and food norms prescribed under the Scheme are as follows:

For children of Primary For children of Upper Primary Items classes classes A) Nutritional Norms (Per child per day) Calorie 450 700 Protein 12 gms 20 gms B) Quantum of Food Norms (Per child per day) Food-grains 100 gms 150 gms Pulses 20 gms 30 gms Vegetables 50 gms 75 gms Oil & fat 5 gms 7.5 gms Salt & condiments As per need As per need Further, there is a provision of 5% of total recurring budget as the flexi component to be used by the States/UTs for setting up of School Nutrition Gardens (SNGs) and provision of supplementary nutrition interventions in identified districts. Many States/ UTs also provide additional supplementary nutrition keeping in view local food habits, cultural preferences, availability and dietary practices.

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