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.
Q1. Mid-Day Meal Scheme kab start hua?
1995 me launch hua tha.
Q2. Kaun eligible hai?
Class 1 se 8 tak ke government school students.
Q3. Kya yeh free hai?
Haan, bilkul free meal diya jata hai.
