Various Prime Minister’s Yojanas are a collection of welfare schemes of the Government of India, whose main objective is to improve the quality of life of common people. Through these schemes, farmers, workers, women, children, students and economically weaker sections are benefiting. For example—Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, Mudra Yojana, and many more schemes play an important role in the overall development of the country and support the underprivileged sections of society.
Therefore, in today’s article, we will learn in detail about the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan Shakti Nirman) Yojana.
What is the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana?
Various Pradhan Mantri Yojanas are a collection of welfare schemes of the Government of India, whose main objective is to improve the living standards of common people. Through these schemes, farmers, laborers, women, children, students, and economically weaker sections are benefitting. For example—Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, Mudra Yojana, and many others are playing an important role in the overall development of the country and supporting the backward and marginalized population. Therefore, in today’s article we will learn in detail about the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) Yojana.
Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana is one of India’s most important social welfare initiatives, which plays a significant role in improving children’s nutrition and education. The main aim of this scheme is to provide nutritious mid-day meals to students studying in government and government-aided schools so that they can grow up healthy and concentrate better on their studies.
The concept of mid-day meals in India began in 1925 with the Madras Corporation. After independence, the scheme was revived in Tamil Nadu in the 1960s. In 2001, the Central Government introduced it nationwide as the “Mid-Day Meal Scheme.” In 2021, the scheme was rebranded as “Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)”, which continues to function today.
The main objectives of this scheme are:
- Improvement of nutrition: Providing nutritious meals to school-going children to improve their health.
- Enhancement of interest in education: Ensuring regular school attendance among poor and marginalized children.
This scheme is administered under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. To ensure proper implementation, monitoring committees have been formed at various levels:
- National Level: National Steering/Monitoring Committee
- State Level: State Steering/Monitoring Committee
- District Level: District Committee
- Block Level: Block/Mandal Committee
- Village Level: Panchayat Sub-Committee
- School Level: School Management and Development Committee or Parent-Teacher Association
Key Features of Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana
- Nutritious Mid-Day Meal: Daily hot cooked meals for students in government and government-aided schools.
- Applicable to Primary & Upper Primary Levels: Students from Class 1 to 8 are covered.
- Nutritional & Health Development: Supports physical growth and immunity.
- Improves attendance: Children attend school regularly because of the meal.
- Promotes social equality: Children of all religions, castes, and classes eat together.
- Joint effort of Centre & State: Shared funding and monitoring.
- Strong monitoring system: Quality and implementation are reviewed regularly at all administrative levels.
- Technology integration: Geo-tagging, mobile apps, and online management systems are used.
- Health initiatives: Health check-ups, Iron-Folic Acid tablets, and related support are provided in schools.
- Employment generation for women: Local women and SHGs are engaged in cooking.
Food Supply Standards under PM Poshan
Under this scheme, children receive one hot cooked meal daily. The quantity differs for primary and upper primary levels.
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Cooking Management under PM Poshan
- Kitchen Shed Construction: Safe and hygienic kitchen sheds are built within school premises through joint funding by the Centre and State.
- Cooking Fuel: Many states now use LPG; some still use firewood or biogas.
- Women as Cook & Helper: Local women and SHG members are hired with fixed remuneration.
- Health & Safety Measures: Clean utensils, hygienic storage, clean drinking water, and hand-washing facilities are mandatory.
- Monitoring: School authorities, SMCs, and block officials regularly supervise kitchens. Mobile apps are used in many states for uploading cooking photos.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana is not just a mid-day meal scheme—it is a national commitment to every child’s nutrition, health, and education. This scheme has improved children’s physical and mental development and significantly increased school attendance.
Its special features include:
- Daily nutritious meals
- Improved kitchen infrastructure
- Participation of local women
- Promotion of social equality
- Transparent monitoring through technology
Whether in rural or urban schools, the positive impact of this scheme is clearly visible. Children are coming to school, eating, learning, and growing healthily. With modern technological support, food distribution and kitchen operations have become more transparent and efficient.
This is not just a government project but a humanitarian responsibility. Through its successful implementation, the nation is building a healthy, educated, and aware future generation—who will become the strong foundation of India’s progress. In the coming years, the PM Poshan scheme is expected to be further strengthened and expanded for a healthier and more educated future of India’s children.র ভরসা দেয়।
