Details

The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Abhiyaan (PM POSHAN) is a centrally sponsored initiative under the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. This scheme aims to provide one nutritious, hot-cooked meal daily to children studying in Government and Government-aided schools across India. It is implemented nationwide, ensuring that all eligible children benefit from the program without any discrimination based on gender, caste, or social class.

The primary objectives of PM POSHAN are twofold. First, it seeks to combat hunger among school-going children, thereby addressing a critical concern for the majority of children in the country. Second, the scheme aims to enhance educational outcomes by improving children’s nutritional status, which helps them focus better in the classroom. By providing regular meals, PM POSHAN also encourages children from economically disadvantaged and marginalized communities to attend school consistently, thereby promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities in education.

PM POSHAN is part of the broader Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, which encompasses several other programs targeting child welfare and development. These include the Anganwadi Services Scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls. Together, these programs create a comprehensive framework to support the health, nutrition, and overall development of children and adolescent girls throughout the country.

Benefits

Nutrition Norms per Child per Day:

1. Primary School Children:

a. Calories: 450 kcal

b. Protein: 12 grams

2. Upper Primary School Children:

a. Calories: 700 kcal

b. Protein: 20 grams

Food Norms per Child per Day:

1. Primary School Children:

a. Food grains: 100 grams

b. Pulses: 20 grams

c. Vegetables: 50 grams

d. Oil & Fat: 5 grams

e. Salt & Condiments: As per requirement

2. Upper Primary School Children:

a. Food grains: 150 grams

b. Pulses: 30 grams

c. Vegetables: 75 grams

d. Oil & Fat: 7.5 grams

e. Salt & Condiments: As per requirement

Coverage:

The scheme not only caters to children from classes I to VIII, covering approximately 11.80 crore children in 11.20 lakh schools, but also includes children in pre-schools or Bal Vatika (before Class I) in primary schools.

This ensures that even the youngest children in the early stages of education benefit from a healthy and balanced diet, supporting their physical and cognitive development.

Eligibility

The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Abhiyaan (PM POSHAN) is designed to benefit school-going children across India. To ensure that the scheme reaches the intended beneficiaries, certain eligibility criteria have been established:

1. Citizenship:

a). The applicant must be a citizen of India.

2. Educational Status:

a). The child must be enrolled in a Primary or Upper Primary class, i.e., from Class 1 to Class 8.

b). The school must be either a Government school or a Government-aided school.

By clearly defining these criteria, the scheme ensures that all eligible children from government-supported educational institutions can access nutritious meals, promoting both health and regular school attendance.

Application Process

The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Abhiyaan (PM POSHAN) is designed to be automatic and inclusive, ensuring that all eligible children can benefit without any administrative hurdles. There is no formal application process required to avail the benefits of this scheme.

All children enrolled in Government and Government-aided schools are automatically covered under PM POSHAN. This approach ensures that no child is excluded based on socio-economic background, gender, or location, making the scheme universally accessible and efficient in reaching its target beneficiaries.

By eliminating the need for an application, PM POSHAN simplifies the process for schools, parents, and children, allowing them to focus on nutrition and education rather than bureaucratic procedures.

Documents Required

No documents are required for availing the benefits of this scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions