What is PM POSHAN?
PM Poshan (formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, one of India's oldest school feeding programmes, running since 1995) puts a free hot cooked meal in front of every child in a government or government-aided school, from Class 1 through Class 8, plus pre-primary children in the Bal Vatika section added in later years. There's no separate enrolment or application — the school itself procures rations and cooks the meal, so any child already admitted is automatically covered — and the dual goal has always been the same: improve child nutrition directly and give poorer families one less reason to pull a child out of school.
PM POSHAN — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | PM POSHAN — Free Mid-Day Meal Scheme |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 1995 |
| Benefit | Free nutritious cooked meal daily for all government school students |
| Category | Education |
| Last Verified | 1 June 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://pmposhan.education.gov.in |
Benefits of PM POSHAN
Free nutritious cooked meal daily for all government school students
Who is Eligible for PM POSHAN?
- ✓Students in Class 1 to 8 in government or aided schools
- ✓Children in Bal Vatika pre-primary also covered
Documents Required for PM POSHAN
How to Apply for PM POSHAN Online?
- 1There is no individual application — free meals are given automatically to all enrolled eligible students.
- 2Parents simply admit or enroll the child in a government or government-aided school.
- 3The school enrollment record is the only requirement; the school itself procures rations and cooks the meal.
- 4Meals are served daily to students in Classes 1 to 8, plus children in the Bal Vatika pre-primary section.
- 5No separate registration, ID card, or portal step is needed beyond normal school admission.
- 6Parents can raise meal quality or delivery concerns directly with their child's school administration.
- 7Scheme guidelines and nutrition norms are published at pmposhan.education.gov.in.
Official Government Portal
Applications go through pmposhan.education.gov.in only. Applying is free of charge — no agent, middleman or "consultant" is ever required.
🔗Apply on pmposhan.education.gov.inReal-Life Examples — Are You Eligible for PM POSHAN?
Match your own situation against these sample PM POSHAN applicants:
Aarav, a Class 4 student enrolled in a government primary school
Eligible — students in Class 1 to 8 in government or aided schools are covered, so he receives the daily meal
Kavya, a Bal Vatika pre-primary child in a government school
Eligible — Bal Vatika pre-primary children are also covered under the scheme
Ishaan, a Class 7 student in a government-aided school
Eligible — government-aided schools are included, and Class 7 is within the Class 1–8 range
Diya, a Class 9 student in a government school
Not eligible — the scheme covers Classes 1 to 8 — Class 9 is above the covered range
Vivaan, a Class 5 student in a private unaided school
Not eligible — the meal is provided in government and government-aided schools, not in private unaided schools
Sample profiles, not guarantees — recheck the notified criteria before you apply.
Common Mistakes — Why PM POSHAN Applications Get Rejected
- ✗Assuming Class 9 and above students are covered — the meal is only for Classes 1 to 8 (plus Bal Vatika).
- ✗Expecting the meal in a private unaided school — only government and government-aided schools are covered.
- ✗Thinking there is a separate application or fee — the meal is provided free through the school once the child is enrolled.
- ✗The child's name not being on the school enrollment/admission record, so they are not counted for the meal.
- ✗Looking for a cash benefit — this scheme is a cooked meal provided in kind at school, not a money transfer.
Insider Tips for PM POSHAN
- →Make sure the child's admission and enrollment record at the school is complete, as this is the basis for the meal.
- →The meal is provided free at the government or aided school — there is no fee and no agent involved.
- →Raise any issue about meal quality or quantity with the school management or the school management committee.
- →Confirm the school is government or government-aided, as that determines coverage under the scheme.
- →Keep the child's school records updated so they continue to be counted for the daily meal through Class 8.