PM POSHAN - Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment
PM POSHAN provides one free hot cooked meal every school day to children studying in Classes 1–8 in government and government-aided schools across India. The scheme aims to improve nutrition and boost school attendance among children from disadvantaged backgrounds. No application is needed — all eligible children in government schools automatically receive the benefit.
About This Scheme
PM POSHAN provides one free hot cooked meal every school day to children studying in Classes 1–8 in government and government-aided schools across India. The scheme aims to improve nutrition and boost school attendance among children from disadvantaged backgrounds. No application is needed — all eligible children in government schools automatically receive the benefit.
Full official description
PM POSHAN is a centrally sponsored scheme by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education. Under this scheme, one hot cooked meal will be provided to the children studying in Government and Government – aided schools. The Scheme is implemented across the country covering all the eligible children without any discrimination of gender and social class.
The main objectives of the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan are to address two of the pressing problems for the majority of children in India, viz. hunger and education by improving the nutritional status of eligible children in Government and Government-aided schools as well as encouraging poor children, belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly and help them concentrate on classroom activities.
POSHAN Abhiyaan is one of the many schemes under the umbrella scheme "Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS)". ICDS also includes Anganwadi Services Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and Scheme for Adolescent Girls.
Benefits
- Free hot cooked meal every school day
- Primary students (Class 1–5): 450 calories and 12g protein per meal
- Upper Primary students (Class 6–8): 700 calories and 20g protein per meal
- Food includes grains, pulses, vegetables, and oil as per nutritional norms
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be an Indian citizen
- Must be enrolled in Class 1 to Class 8 in a government or government-aided school
- No income or caste requirements — open to all eligible students
- Pre-school children (Bal Vatika) in primary schools are also covered
How to Apply
There is no application process for this scheme. PM POSHAN is equally applicable to all children who are studying in Government and Government – aided schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PM POSHAN Scheme?
PM POSHAN is a centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of Education that provides hot cooked meals to children studying in Government and Government-aided schools to improve their nutritional status and encourage regular school attendance.
Who is eligible to benefit from PM POSHAN?
All children studying in:
- Pre-school (Bal Vatika) within primary schools- Class 1 to Class 8 in Government or Government-aided schools are eligible. There is no need to apply for the scheme.
What kind of meals are provided under this scheme?
The scheme provides one hot cooked meal per school day that meets specific calorie and protein norms. The meal includes food grains, pulses, vegetables, oil/fat, and condiments.
What are the nutrition norms per child per day under PM POSHAN?
- Primary (Class 1–5):
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 12 grams
- Upper Primary (Class 6–8):
- Calories: 700 kcal
- Protein: 20 grams
What are the food quantity norms per child per day?
- Primary:
- Food grains: 100 g
- Pulses: 20 g
- Vegetables: 50 g
- Oil & fat: 5 g
- Upper Primary:
- Food grains: 150 g
- Pulses: 30 g
- Vegetables: 75 g
- Oil & fat: 7.5 g
(Salt & condiments as per need)
Is there any discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender under PM POSHAN?
No. The scheme is universal and inclusive, and benefits are provided to all eligible children without any discrimination.
Is there an application process for this scheme?
No application is required. All eligible children automatically receive the benefits as part of their school program.
What is the objective of PM POSHAN Scheme?
The scheme aims to:
- Enhance nutrition for school children- Encourage school attendance- Improve concentration and learning outcomes
- Promote social equity through common meals
Is this scheme part of a broader initiative?
Yes, PM POSHAN operates under the umbrella of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which includes:
- Anganwadi Services Scheme- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
- Scheme for Adolescent Girls
How many children and schools are covered under PM POSHAN?
The scheme benefits approximately more than 11.80 crore children across 11.20 lakh schools throughout India, making it one of the world’s largest school nutrition programs.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- No documents are required for availing the benefits of this scheme.