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Midday Meal Scheme in India: Importance, Eligibility & Benefits

On 15th August 1995, Midday Meal Scheme was launched in India for children under the name of ‘National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education’ (NP-NSPE). Recently (September 2021), the Government renamed this scheme to Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman or ‘PM POSHAN’. Each alteration in name brings some changes in the scheme. Stay tuned to learn about these changes and everything about the Midday Meal Scheme in India.

What Is the Importance of the Midday Meal Scheme?

source: hindustantimes

Under the Midday Meal (MDM) Scheme, children get one meal of the day. Here, children need to be enrolled in government schools, local body schools, special training centres, maktabs, madrasas and government-aided schools that are supported under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

Under the Midday Meal Scheme in India, around 11.80 crore children (in 11.20 lakh government and government-aided schools) will get hot cooked food.

However, under the new scheme ‘PM POSHAN’, 24 lakhs of children studying in pre-primary schools who are already covered under the Integrated Child Development Services will get food under the MDM scheme.

The PM Poshan will be operational initially for 5 years (2021-22 to 2025-26). Here, the Central Government will take responsibility for ₹ 54,061 crores of the total approximate expenditure of ₹ 1.3 lakh crore. On the other hand, the State Governments will pay ₹ 31,733 crores.

Note: The Central Government will release ₹ 45,000 crores as subsidies for food grains.

From the above discussion, individuals can learn about Midday Meal Scheme. However, to receive benefits offered under this scheme, children must fulfil certain eligibility criteria.

Who Is Eligible for Midday Meal Scheme in India?

Children will receive food under the Midday Meal Scheme if they study in Primary (Class I-V) and Upper Primary Classes (Class VI-VIII) in any of the following schools:

  • Government schools
  • Govt. Aided schools, 
  • Local Body, 
  • EGS and AIE Centres, 
  • Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan 
  • NCLP Schools run by the Ministry of Labour

How to Apply for Midday Meal Scheme in India?

Since the Midday Meal Scheme in India aims to provide hot cooked food to children, there is no need to apply for it separately.

Students studying in the schools mentioned in the previous section can get food without a further application process.

What Are the Benefits of the Midday Meal Scheme?

Following is a list of benefits of Midday Meal Scheme:

  • Children from classes I-VIII will get a nutritious meal every day except the holidays. 
  • This scheme ensures children who do not get food at home will have at least one meal a day.
  •  Children can get food for free.
  • The revamped scheme ‘PM Poshan’ includes 24 lakh beneficiaries in the age group of 5-6 years who are part of the formal school system- Balvatika. The Government started Balvatika, a pre-school, in the last year to include younger children as a part of the formal education system.

Now that individuals/parents know about Midday Meal Scheme in India, they can ensure their children get at least a one-time meal at school and the benefits of education.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main aim of Midday Meal Scheme?

The aim of Midday Meal Scheme is to increase enrollment in schools, especially those belonging to the disadvantaged section of society. The benefit of free meals will attract more students; hence attendance will enhance in schools. More importantly, children will get nutritional support at the elementary stage.

In what quantity do children get food under the Midday Meal School?

Under the Midday Meal Scheme, primary level children (Class I-V) will get food grains 100 gms, vegetables (including leafy) 50 gms, oil and fat 5 gms, pulses 20 gms, and salt and condiments as per requirement. On the other hand, upper-level children (Class VI-VIII) will get food grains 150 gms, vegetables (including the leafy ones) 50 gms, oil and fat 7.5 gms, pulses 30 gms, and salt and condiments as per requirement.