PM POSHAN - Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme For Holistic Nourishment

Key facts

Benefit	One free hot cooked meal on every school day
For	Children in Balvatika (pre-primary) and Classes 1 to 8
Schools	Government and government-aided schools
Reach	About 11.8 crore children across India
Cooking cost per meal	About ₹6.19 (Balvatika & primary), ₹9.29 (upper primary)
Implemented by	Ministry of Education (Dept. of School Education & Literacy)
Official portal	pmposhan.education.gov.in
Application window	Open all year for eligible school children.

Benefits

Beneficiaries receive one hot cooked meal daily, which aims to improve their nutritional status and encourage regular school attendance. The meals are designed to meet specific nutritional norms based on age group.

Who can apply

For: student
not income tax payer

Eligible applicants are Indian citizens enrolled in primary or upper primary classes (1st to 8th) at government or government-aided schools. There are no specific exclusions mentioned, but the scheme is not applicable to income tax payers.

Who is not eligible

Children in private unaided schools (not covered)
Classes above 8 — the scheme covers only up to Class 8

How to apply

There is no formal application process for this scheme; it automatically applies to eligible students in participating schools.

Ensure enrollment in a Government or Government-aided school for classes 1 to 8.
Attend school regularly to receive the provided meals.

Apply on the official website ↗

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	What to do
Meal not served, or poor quality	Raise it with the headmaster or the School Management Committee; every state runs a PM POSHAN monitoring / grievance cell.
A pre-primary child is not getting a meal	Balvatika (pre-primary attached to primary schools) is now covered — confirm the school’s Balvatika is mapped under the scheme.
You want to see the menu and entitlement	Schools must display the weekly menu; details are also on the state PM POSHAN portal.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for PM POSHAN?

Eligibility is for Indian citizens studying in primary or upper primary classes at government or government-aided schools.

Is there an application form for this scheme?

No, there is no application form required; the scheme is automatically applicable to eligible students.

What meals are provided under PM POSHAN?

The scheme provides hot cooked meals that meet specific nutritional standards for children in the specified age groups.

Are there any exclusions for this scheme?

While there are no specific exclusions mentioned, the scheme does not apply to income tax payers.

How does PM POSHAN support education?

By providing nutritious meals, the scheme aims to improve children's health and encourage regular attendance in schools.

Does my child have to apply?

No. Every child enrolled in an eligible government or government-aided school automatically receives the meal.

Which classes are covered?

Balvatika (pre-primary) through Class 8.

Is the meal really free?

Yes — the hot cooked meal is free for all eligible children.

Are private school children covered?

Only government and government-aided schools are covered under PM POSHAN.

Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.