Centre Reviews States’ Proposals to Broaden the Scope of the PM-POSHAN Scheme

Context:

• The Union government is considering proposals from several states and Union Territories to strengthen the PM-POSHAN scheme, India’s flagship school nutrition programme.

• Key suggestions include adding breakfast and extending scheme coverage up to Class 12, aiming to improve student health and learning outcomes.

Key Highlights:

Government Initiative / Scheme Details

• PM-POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) is a centrally sponsored scheme providing hot cooked meals to children in:

  • Government schools

  • Government-aided schools

• The Cabinet approved its continuation from 2021-22 to 2025-26 (September 2021).

Proposals from States and UTs

• Seven states/UTs (including Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Kerala) requested during Sept–Oct that:

  • Breakfast be included under PM-POSHAN

• Eleven states/UTs suggested extending the scheme beyond Class 8 up to Class 12.

Policy and Approval Process

• The Education Ministry is examining the breakfast proposal and will place it before the:

  • Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC)

• Earlier, the EFC had expressed disagreement over extending coverage during Finance Ministry discussions.

Significance of Suggested Expansion

• Extending PM-POSHAN up to Class 12 would ensure:

  • Continuous nutritional support for adolescents

  • Better transition from middle school to higher secondary education

• Inclusion of breakfast aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) focus on:

  • Holistic student development

  • Improved foundational health and learning capacity

Stakeholders Involved

• Union Education Ministry

• State and UT governments

• Finance Ministry and EFC

• School children, especially from vulnerable backgrounds

Relevant Prelims Points:

• PM-POSHAN Scheme: Provides nutritious cooked meals to school children to address hunger and malnutrition.

• Issue: Need for enhanced nutrition support through breakfast and extended coverage.

Causes / Rationale

• Persistent child malnutrition and learning gaps

• Need for adolescent nutrition support

• Demand from states for broader inclusivity

Benefits

• Improves school attendance and retention

• Supports cognitive development and learning outcomes

• Reduces classroom hunger

• Promotes equity in education

Challenges

• Increased financial burden on Centre and states

• Logistical issues in breakfast implementation

• Coordination between multiple ministries

Impact

• Expansion could strengthen India’s human capital and reduce malnutrition among adolescents

Relevant Mains Points:

Social Justice and Governance Dimensions

• PM-POSHAN is linked with:

  • Right to Education

  • Food security

  • Child welfare and social equity

Institutional Framework

• EFC plays a key role in approving expenditure-heavy welfare expansions.

• Coordination required between Education and Finance ministries.

NEP Linkage

• NEP stresses nutrition as essential for:

  • Student well-being

  • Holistic learning outcomes

Way Forward

• Pilot breakfast inclusion in high-need districts

• Ensure sustainable funding through Centre-state partnership

• Strengthen monitoring and quality control of meals

• Extend scheme coverage gradually with evidence-based planning

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS 2: Governance – Centrally sponsored schemes, cooperative federalism

• GS 2: Social Justice – Nutrition, child welfare, education equity

• Prelims: PM-POSHAN, EFC, NEP concepts

• Mains: Role of welfare schemes in human capital development