Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM) – Full Details 2026

Mid-Day Meal Scheme – The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is one of the most significant welfare programs for school-going children in India. Iska main goal hai school attendance badhana, bachchon ko nutrition dena aur dropout rate kam karna.

What is Mid-Day Meal Scheme?

The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM) is a government initiative launched in 1995 under the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education.

Is scheme ke tahat:

• Government schools ke students ko free cooked meal diya jata hai
• Classes 1 to 8 ke bachche iske beneficiary hote hain

bjectives (Yojana ka aim)

✔ School attendance increase karna
✔ Malnutrition reduce karna
✔ Poor families ke bachchon ko support dena
✔ Social equality promote karna (sab ek saath khana khate hain)

Who can get benefits?

Eligible students:

• Government schools
• Government-aided schools
• Local body schools
• Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) & AIE centres

What food is provided?

Meal ka menu state ke hisab se change hota hai, but generally include:

• Rice / Roti
• Dal
• Sabzi
• Egg (many states me)
• Fruits / Milk (occasionally)

👉 Nutritional standard:

• Primary students: ~450 calories
• Upper primary: ~700 calories

Funding (Paise kaise aata hai?)

• Central Government + State Government milkar fund karte hain
• Food grains: Central Govt provide karta hai
• Cooking cost: Both share

New Name (Updated Scheme)

Ab Mid-Day Meal Scheme ko PM POSHAN Scheme ke naam se jaana jata hai (2021 se).

👉 Isme:

• Nutrition par zyada focus
• Pre-primary children bhi include ho rahe hain (some areas)

Key Benefits

• Free nutritious food
• Better school attendance
• Health improvement
• Financial relief for poor families
• Social unity (no caste discrimination during meals)

Important Facts

• India ka sabse bada school meal program hai
• Crores of students daily benefit lete hain
• World ke largest feeding programs me se ek

Conclusion

Mid-Day Meal Scheme ek powerful initiative hai jo education + nutrition dono ko improve karta hai. Yeh scheme especially rural aur poor families ke liye bahut helpful hai.