The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) is a government-run program in India that provides free, hot, cooked meals to children in government and government-aided schools. It aims to improve children’s nutritional status, increase school attendance, and reduce hunger-related issues, especially among underprivileged children.
Objective: To address hunger, malnutrition, and low school attendance.
Target Group: Children in primary and upper primary classes of government and government-aided schools.
Benefits:
- Improves children’s nutritional status.
- Increases school enrollment and attendance.
- Reduces the barrier of hunger, allowing children to focus on learning.
Implementation: The scheme is implemented at the state level, with the central government providing foodgrains and financial assistance.
Ongoing Development: The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is continuously evolving, with recent updates including the renaming to PM-POSHAN (Poshan Shakti Nirman) and incorporating provisions for meal distribution in drought-affected areas during summer vacations.
Nutritional Value: The meals are designed to provide children with a balanced diet and essential nutrients.
