{"id":93563,"date":"2026-03-19T10:53:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T05:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=93563"},"modified":"2026-03-19T14:08:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T08:38:57","slug":"pm-poshan-scheme-recommendation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/pm-poshan-scheme-recommendation\/","title":{"rendered":"PM POSHAN Scheme and Proposal for Breakfast &#038; Expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>PM POSHAN Scheme Latest News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended expanding the <\/span><b>PM POSHAN Scheme<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to include breakfast and extending coverage up to Class 12.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>PM POSHAN Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The PM POSHAN Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) is the restructured version of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/mid-day-meal-scheme-objectives-and-features\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Mid-Day Meal Scheme<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, launched in 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is one of the world\u2019s largest school nutrition programmes aimed at improving the nutritional status of children and enhancing school participation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Objectives<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving nutritional levels among school children<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increasing enrolment, retention, and attendance in schools<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing dropout rates, especially among disadvantaged groups<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting social equity by encouraging children from different backgrounds to eat together<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Coverage and Beneficiaries<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The scheme currently provides <\/span><b>one cooked meal per day<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students of government and government-aided schools<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students studying from <\/span><b>Class 1 to Class 8<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Components of the Scheme<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Hot Cooked Meals:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Nutritious meals prepared as per prescribed calorific and protein norms<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Nutritional Standards:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Meals designed to meet daily energy and protein requirements<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Supplementary Nutrition:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Inclusion of local and seasonal foods<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>School Nutrition Gardens:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Promotion of locally grown vegetables and fruits<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Monitoring Mechanisms:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use of technology for real-time monitoring and quality checks<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Budget and Funding Pattern<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The scheme is <\/span><b>centrally sponsored<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with funding shared between the Centre and States.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The overall budget for PM POSHAN (2021-26) is over Rs. 1.3 lakh crore<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Centre bears a major share of the cost, while States contribute the remaining portion<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Key Achievements<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~11.80 crore children are covered under the scheme<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 100+ crore meals served per month <\/span><b>Nutritional Standards Achieved<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Primary (Classes 1-5): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">450 calories, 12 grams of protein<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Upper Primary (Classes 6-8): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">700 calories, 20 grams of protein<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>News Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has recommended significant reforms to strengthen the PM POSHAN Scheme.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Proposal to Introduce Breakfast<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee has suggested that schools should provide <\/span><b>at least a light breakfast<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> along with the existing midday meal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Morning nutrition is expected to improve concentration and cognitive performance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Expansion of Coverage<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee recommended expanding the scheme in a phased manner:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immediate extension up to <\/span><b>Class 10<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gradual expansion up to <\/span><b>Class 12 within five years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Focus on Adolescent Nutrition<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee highlighted that adolescence is a critical stage of growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stopping nutritional support after Class 8 leaves a gap during an important developmental phase<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adequate nutrition during this stage can prevent long-term health issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can also reduce dropout rates, particularly among girls\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Link Between Nutrition and Education<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee emphasised that nutrition and education are closely linked.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students in Classes 10 and 12 face academic pressure due to board exams<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proper nutrition can improve focus, memory, and overall academic performance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Other Recommendations<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extending the benefits of PM-SHRI schools to more government schools<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensuring the timely release of funds under Samagra Shiksha<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Addressing resource concentration in select institutions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Significance of the Proposed Changes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proposed reforms have wider implications for India\u2019s education and health systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Addressing Malnutrition: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanding the scheme will help tackle malnutrition among adolescents, which remains a major public health issue in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Improving Learning Outcomes: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better nutrition directly contributes to improved cognitive abilities and academic performance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Promoting Gender Equity: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nutritional support for older students, especially girls, can reduce dropout rates and encourage continued education.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Strengthening Human Capital: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investing in nutrition and education simultaneously enhances human capital development, which is crucial for long-term economic growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Source:<\/b> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/kerala\/schools-await-funds-for-midday-meal-scheme\/article70754300.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The PM POSHAN Scheme aims to improve nutrition among school children, with a Parliamentary panel recommending breakfast inclusion and expansion up to Class 12.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":93615,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[60,5071,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-93563","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-mains-articles","9":"tag-pm-poshan-scheme","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=93563"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":93715,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93563\/revisions\/93715"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/93615"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=93563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=93563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=93563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}