Previous Year Question
In which year, “Mid-day Meal Scheme” was renamed as “P.M. Poshan Scheme”?
2019
2020
2018
2021
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme was approved for restructuring/renaming as the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme on 29 September 2021.
The basic objective of the scheme is not merely to provide meals to children, but also to improve their nutritional status, encourage school attendance and reduce classroom hunger.
Under PM POSHAN, eligible children in Classes I–VIII in Government and Government-aided schools are provided hot cooked meals. Under the restructured framework, children in Bal Vatika/pre-primary classes were also brought under its coverage.
The history of the programme predates this renaming. The school meal programme was launched on 15 August 1995 as the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education and subsequently became popularly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
Current Status (September 2026): After completion of the approved 2021-22 to 2025-26 period, PM POSHAN has been temporarily extended pending appraisal/approval for the next five-year cycle 2026-27 to 2030-31, up to 30 September 2026 or the date of fresh approval, whichever is earlier. The Union Budget 2026-27 also provides a financial outlay of ₹12,750 crore for PM POSHAN.