The Mid Day Meal Scheme, officially renamed PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) in 2021, is the world’s largest school feeding program. It provides one free hot-cooked meal every school day to approximately 11.8 crore children across 11.2 lakh government and government-aided schools in India.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is a transformative initiative that provides free, nutritious meals to school children, ensuring their physical well-being and supporting their educational journey. It combats hunger and malnutrition while encouraging better school attendance, enrollment, and retention, especially among underprivileged communities. By fostering social equality and reducing the financial burden on families, the program plays a significant role in shaping healthier, better-educated future generations.