Executive Summary:
The PM Poshan Yojana, a centrally sponsored scheme, provides hot cooked meals to approximately 11 crore children in Bal Vatika and classes I-VIII in over 10.35 lakh government and government-aided schools across 36 States/UTs. In FY25, the scheme has a budget of approximately Rs. 12,500 crore, with Rs. 9,000 crore allocated for the supply of 26 lakh MTs of foodgrains via the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The scheme was addressed in Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 8 on 21.07.2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Scheme Overview:**
* Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme provides one hot cooked, nutritious meal to children in Bal Vatika and classes I-VIII in government and government-aided schools.
* The scheme covers approximately 11 crore children in over 10.35 lakh schools across 36 States/UTs.
* **Financial Provisions:**
* The budget estimate for the scheme is approximately Rs. 12,500 crore.
* The Government of India supplies 26 lakh MTs of foodgrains through FCI at an approximate cost of Rs. 9,000 crore.
* 5% of the total recurring budget is available as a flexi component for States/UTs to use as per their requirements, such as setting up School Nutrition Gardens and providing supplementary nutrition.
* **Implementation & Responsibilities:**
* State Governments and UT Administrations hold the overall responsibility for providing hot cooked meals.
* States/UTs are encouraged to decide on menus suitable to local conditions, procure locally grown food items, and adhere to nutrition and food norms.
* **Infrastructure & Manpower:**
* 9.11 lakh Kitchen-cum-Stores (KCS) have been constructed out of 9.41 lakh sanctioned across India.
* More than 24 lakh Cook-cum-Helpers (CCHs) are engaged under the scheme, with over 90% being women.
* **Special Initiatives:**
* During Shiksha Saptah, over 2 crore meals were provided under Tithi Bhojan, benefiting 6.43 crore students in 5.77 lakh schools.
* School Nutrition Gardens (SNGs) have been set up in more than 6.28 lakh schools.
* **Funding Model:**
* The Central Government provides 100% assistance for the cost of foodgrains, transportation, and Management, Monitoring & Evaluation (MME).
* Cost-sharing ratio:
* 60:40 between Centre and States/UTs with Legislature.
* 90:10 for North-Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan States (including J&K).
* 100% for Union Territories without legislature.
* **Specific Data:**
* Uttar Pradesh: 1,26,202 children in 1189 schools are covered in the Phulpur Lok Sabha Constituency.
* Madhya Pradesh: Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency has 3,914 schools, all equipped with Kitchen-cum-Stores.
Impact Analysis:
* **State Governments and UT Administrations:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing hot cooked meals to eligible children, deciding menus, procuring local food items, managing CCHs, and utilizing the flexi component effectively.
* *Action Required:* Ensure proper implementation of the scheme, adherence to nutritional norms, effective utilization of funds, and monitoring of the program.
* **Schools:**
* *Impact:* Implementing the PM Poshan Scheme, ensuring meals are provided to eligible students, maintaining Kitchen-cum-Stores, and potentially establishing School Nutrition Gardens.
* *Action Required:* Organize meal distribution, maintain hygiene and safety standards in food storage and preparation, and promote local food procurement.
* **Children:**
* *Impact:* Beneficiaries of the scheme, receiving nutritious meals to support their health and education.
* *Action Required:* Participate in the program by consuming the provided meals.
* **Cook-cum-Helpers (CCHs):**
* *Impact:* Engaged in preparing and serving meals to students.
* *Action Required:* Prepare and serve meals according to guidelines, maintain hygiene standards, and ensure efficient meal distribution.
* **Food Corporation of India (FCI):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for supplying foodgrains for the scheme.
* *Action Required:* Ensure timely and efficient supply of foodgrains to States/UTs.
Key Entities Referenced
PM Poshan Yojana: A centrally sponsored scheme to provide hot cooked meals to children in schools.
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for education.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Punjab: A state in India.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India.
Food Corporation of India (FCI): Agency responsible for supply of foodgrains for the scheme
North Eastern Regions: Refers to the North Eastern states of India, which receive special provisions under the scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO-8
ANSWERED ON - 21/07/2025
PM Poshan Yojana
†*8. Dr. Rajesh Mishra:
Shri Kali Charan Singh:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the number of children studying in various/different schools under the PM Poshan
Yojana in the country, State/UT-wise including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh particularly Phulpur
Lok Sabha Constituency;
(b) the details and number of Cook-cum-Helpers engaged to provide food to children in
these schools, State/UT-wise;
(c) the number of Kitchen-cum-Stores constructed to store and protect foodgrains in order
to provide safe and hygienic food to children in the country, State/UT-wise including Uttar
Pradesh and particularly in Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency of Madhya Pradesh;
(d) whether any special provisions have been made under the scheme for the North-Eastern
States of the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 8 for
21.07.2025 raised by Dr. Rajesh Mishra and Shri Kali Charan Singh, Hon’ble MPs
regarding PM Poshan Yojana.
(a) & (b): 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 36 States/UTs.
The Budget Estimates of the Scheme are about Rs. 12,500 crore and 100% foodgrains to the
tune of 26 lakh MTs at an approximate cost of Rs. 9,000 crore have been supplied by the
Government of India through Food Corporation of India (FCI). The overall responsibility for
providing hot cooked and nutritious meal to the eligible children lies with the State
Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The State/UT-wise details of children
enrolled under PM POSHAN Scheme including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are at Annexure-I.
State Government of Uttar Pradesh has reported that a total of 1,26,202 children are covered in
1189 schools under PM POSHAN Scheme in the Phulpur Lok Sabha Constituency.
The State/UT-wise number of Cook-cum-Helpers (CCHs) engaged under PM POSHAN
Scheme is given at Annexure-II. More than 24 lakh CCHs are engaged under the Scheme of
whom over 90% are women.
There is a provision of 5% of total recurring budget as the flexi component to be used by the
States/UTs as per their requirement. It may be used for setting up of School Nutrition Gardens
and provision of Supplementary Nutrition interventions viz., Chikki, Eggs, Milk, Fruits and
additional food items etc. in identified districts. The States and Union Territory
Administrations 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.
During the celebration of Shiksha Saptah more than 2 crore meals were provided under Tithi
Bhojan. Overall about 6.43 crore students studying in 5.77 lakh schools were benefitted under
Tithi Bhojan across the country. The School Nutrition Gardens (SNGs) have been set up in
more than 6.28 lakh schools under the Scheme.
(c) to (e): The State/UT-wise details of Kitchen-cum-Stores constructed to store and
protect foodgrains in order to provide safe and hygienic food to children in the country,
including Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh is given at Annexure-III. Under the Scheme
9.11 lakh (97%) Kitchen-cum-Stores (KCS) have been constructed against the sanctioned of
9.41 lakh KCS all over India. The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has reported that Sidhi
Parliamentary Constituency has 3,914 schools and all the schools have Kitchen-cum-Stores.
PM POSHAN Scheme is implemented in partnership with the States and Union Territory
Administrations. The Central Government provides 100% assistance for cost of foodgrains,
transportation cost and cost of Management Monitoring & Evolution (MME).The existing cost
sharing ratio between the Centre and States & UTs with Legislature is 60:40, for North-Eastern
Regions (NER)/Himalayan States including J&K is 90:10 and in Union Territories without
legislature is 100% for the components of Material cost, Honorarium to cook-cum-helpers
(CCH), construction and repairing of Kitchen-cum-Store and procurement of Kitchen devices.
For NER States and 4 Himalayan States & UTs transportation of food grains from FCI godownto school door steps is as per actual PDS rate reported by the States/UTs. For remaining States
and UTs, it is as per PDS rate or Rs. 1500 per MT, whichever is less.
*****Annexure-I
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 8 for
21.07.2025 raised by Dr. Rajesh Mishra and Shri Kali Charan Singh, Hon’ble MPs
regarding PM Poshan Yojana.
Number of children enrolled under PM POSHAN Scheme
Number of Students enrolled
SN State/UT
Bal Vatika Primary Up. Primary Total
1 A & N Islands 5136 13279 10811 29226
2 Andhra Pradesh 0 1520162 1072578 2592740
3 Arunachal Pradesh 12817 76866 52116 141799
4 Assam 225180 2424677 1269192 3919049
5 Bihar 0 11403140 5905157 17308297
6 Chandigarh 14918 44270 40684 99872
7 Chhattisgarh 54376 1698427 1101784 2854587
8 Delhi 110242 795229 750600 1656071
9 DNH & DD 7678 40647 27143 75468
10 Goa 2571 92501 66571 161643
11 Gujarat 529306 2746239 1880218 5155763
12 Haryana 80862 828533 638714 1548109
13 Himachal Pradesh 71713 247577 194194 513484
14 Jammu & Kashmir 182596 490147 279365 952108
15 Jharkhand 42515 2643989 1417241 4103745
16 Karnataka 0 2538958 1594454 4133412
17 Kerala 144048 1535147 1106725 2785920
18 Ladakh 4404 8836 4324 17564
19 Lakshadweep 1284 5089 2588 8961
20 Madhya Pradesh 13563 3632241 2378417 6024221
21 Maharashtra 0 5844748 3806852 9651600
22 Manipur 25828 125456 37762 189046
23 Meghalaya 138157 388309 183203 709669
24 Mizoram 24965 75162 38860 138987
25 Nagaland 41394 56964 30613 128971
26 Odisha 0 2508205 1744933 4253138
27 Puducherry 7235 24908 19163 51306
28 Punjab 161969 1065257 682832 1910058
29 Rajasthan 46009 3361174 2294665 5701848
30 Sikkim 6164 21002 17440 44606
31 Tamil Nadu 0 2088361 1859468 3947829
32 Telangana 0 977864 597345 1575209
33 Tripura 11649 216231 141940 369820
34 Uttar Pradesh 0 9607384 5621120 15228504
35 Uttarakhand 0 362732 257034 619766
36 West Bengal 955581 6306899 4081666 11344146
Total 2922160 65816610 41207772 109946542Annexure-II
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 8 for
21.07.2025 raised by Dr. Rajesh Mishra and Shri Kali Charan Singh, Hon’ble MPs
regarding PM Poshan Yojana.
Number of Cook-cum-Helpers engaged under PM POSHAN
S. No. State/UT Number of Cook-cum-Helpers
1 A & N Islands 721
2 Andhra Pradesh 80890
3 Arunachal Pradesh 5753
4 Assam 108280
5 Bihar 232458
6 Chandigarh 900
7 Chhattisgarh 87646
8 Delhi 20890
9 DNH & DD 1157
10 Goa 2633
11 Gujarat 96103
12 Haryana 29809
13 Himachal Pradesh 21054
14 Jammu & Kashmir 30101
15 Jharkhand 75421
16 Karnataka 118950
17 Kerala 13453
18 Ladakh 924
19 Lakshadweep 20
20 Madhya Pradesh 201404
21 Maharashtra 164558
22 Manipur 6452
23 Meghalaya 19549
24 Mizoram 4963
25 Nagaland 4623
26 Odisha 108806
27 Puducherry 1031
28 Punjab 44407
29 Rajasthan 115726
30 Sikkim 1891
31 Tamil Nadu 128130
32 Telangana 54201
33 Tripura 11184
34 Uttar Pradesh 363202
35 Uttarakhand 23883
36 West Bengal 226676
Total 2407849Annexure-III
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 8 for
21.07.2025 raised by Dr. Rajesh Mishra and Shri Kali Charan Singh, Hon’ble MPs
regarding PM Poshan Yojana.
Number of Kitchen-cum-Stores constructed under PM POSHAN Scheme
Sl. No. State/UT Sanctioned Constructed % Constructed
1 A & N Islands 169 169 100%
2 Andhra Pradesh 32347 31525 97%
3 Arunachal Pradesh 4085 4085 100%
4 Assam 56795 51271 90%
5 Bihar 58847 58847 100%
6 Chandigarh 15 15 100%
7 Chhattisgarh 47266 47266 100%
8 Delhi All are Centralised kitchens
9 DNH DD 82 82 100%
10 Goa All are Centralised kitchens
11 Gujarat 25077 25077 100%
12 Himachal Pradesh 14959 14959 100%
13 Haryana 11483 11040 96%
14 J & K 6791 6791 100%
15 Jharkhand 32070 33776 105%
16 Karnataka 40477 40473 100%
17 Kerala 5481 5481 100%
18 Ladakh 327 327 100%
19 Lakshadweep Constructed through own resources
20 Madhya Pradesh 103401 98742 95%
21 Maharashtra 69803 62276 89%
22 Manipur 2966 2739 92%
23 Meghalaya 9758 9758 100%
24 Mizoram 2541 2541 100%
25 Nagaland 2223 2223 100%
26 Odisha 69152 69152 100%
27 Puducherry 105 105 100%
28 Punjab 19052 18969 100%
29 Rajasthan 50312 50312 100%
30 Sikkim 948 948 100%
31 Tamil Nadu 28470 28470 100%
32 Telangana 30408 17761 58%
33 Tripura 5304 5304 100%
34 Uttar Pradesh 113091 113091 100%
35 Uttarakhand 15778 15778 100%
36 West Bengal 81956 81948 100%
Total 941539 911301 97%