PM POSHAN — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | PM POSHAN — Free Mid-Day Meal Scheme 2025 |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 1995 |
| Benefit | Free nutritious cooked meal daily for all government school students |
| Category | Education |
| Last Verified | June 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://pmposhan.education.gov.in |
What is PM POSHAN?
PM Poshan Shakti Nirman (formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme) provides free hot cooked meals to students in government and government-aided schools to improve nutrition and boost school attendance.
Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive Free nutritious cooked meal daily for all government school students. The scheme was launched in 1995 and is implemented by the Government of India.
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?
- 1Visit the official portal at https://pmposhan.education.gov.in
- 2Click on Apply Now or Register button on the homepage
- 3Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and verify OTP
- 4Fill in the online application form with required details
- 5Upload the required documents: School enrollment or admission record
- 6Review all details and submit the application
- 7Note down the application reference number for future tracking
- 8Wait for verification and approval from the concerned authority
Official Government Portal
Apply directly on the official government website. This is the only authorised portal — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
🔗Apply on pmposhan.education.gov.inReal-Life Examples — Are You Eligible for PM POSHAN?
Find the profile closest to your situation to quickly check whether you qualify:
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
Examples are illustrative — always confirm against the official eligibility criteria before applying.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — PM POSHAN
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