Mid-Day Meals: Child Nutrition And The PM POSHAN Scheme

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Welfare Schemes and the Performance of these Schemes, Government Policies and Interventions, Issues in Services Relating  to Health

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Background: PM POSHAN Scheme
3. Importance of Eggs in PM POSHAN
4. A Case Study: Tamil Nadu Model
5. Criticism around including Eggs & Way Forward

Why in the News?

The West Bengal Government has decided to remove eggs from school mid-day meals (PM POSHAN), reigniting the debate over child nutrition.

News in Brief

• The issue highlights the importance of nutrition security, learning outcomes, and public health policy.
• Eggs are among the most nutrient-dense, affordable, and complete protein sources available for children.
• Evidence from successful implementation of the scheme shows that nutritious school meals, including eggs, can improve enrolment, attendance, child health, and overall learning outcomes.

Background: PM POSHAN Scheme

• The PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) Scheme is the flagship school meal programme of the Government of India aimed at improving the nutritional status of school children.
• It was renamed from the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) to PM POSHAN in September 2021.
• Implemented jointly by the Central and State Governments.

Objectives

• Improve Nutritional Status
  • Provide hot cooked, nutritious meals to school children.
    Address malnutrition, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.
  • Support healthy physical and mental development.
  • Includes School Nutrition Gardens (Poshan Vatikas) to promote dietary diversity and nutrition awareness.
  • Supports the use of Fortified Rice to address micronutrient deficiencies in children.
• Increase School Enrolment
  • Encourage children, especially from economically weaker sections, to attend school.
  • Promote universal access to elementary education.
• Reduce Dropout Rates
  • Incentivize children to continue their education.
  • Reduce child labour and improve school retention.
• Improve Attendance
  • Ensure regular attendance by providing free nutritious meals.
  • Improve concentration and classroom participation.
• Promote Social Equality
  • Children from different social, economic, and caste backgrounds eat together.
  • Promotes social inclusion, equality, and reduces discrimination.

Coverage

• The scheme covers:
  • Government schools
  • Government-aided schools
  • Local body schools
  • Special Training Centres under the Right to Education (RTE) Act
  • Madrasas and Maqtabs supported under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (where applicable)

Beneficiaries

• Students studying in Classes I to VIII (Primary and Upper Primary).
• Social audits and community participation are encouraged for better transparency and accountability.

Importance of Eggs in PM POSHAN

• Contains all 9 essential amino acids and is easily digestible.
• Rich in choline, vitamin B12, and folate, supporting memory and cognitive growth.
• Helps reduce stunting, wasting, and protein deficiency.
• Enhances concentration, attendance, and academic performance.
•  Low-cost, widely available, and ideal for school meals.
• Rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins A, D, B12, riboflavin, choline, iron, selenium, and zinc.
• Importance of Choline – Essential for brain development, memory, and nervous system function.
• Eggs vs Plant-Based Proteins
  • Eggs: Complete protein with high digestibility.
  • Plant Proteins (pulses, soybean, millets): Affordable and fibre-rich but often lack one or more essential amino acids; combining cereals and pulses improves protein quality.

Government Initiatives

• PM POSHAN: Provides hot cooked nutritious meals to school children in Classes I–VIII.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan: Aims to reduce malnutritionamong children, adolescent girls, and women.
• Saksham Anganwadi & POSHAN 2.0: Strengthens nutrition services for women, children, and adolescent girls.
• Anaemia Mukt Bharat: Seeks to reduce anaemia through iron supplementation and nutrition interventions.
• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: Ensures food and nutritional security for vulnerable sections through legal entitlements.

A Case Study: Tamil Nadu Model

• Tamil Nadu is a pioneer in India’s school meal programme.
• Evolution
  • 1925: P. T. Thiagaraya Chetty, President of the Madras Corporation, introduced India’s first school meal programme at the Thousand Lights Municipal School, Madras.
  • 1956: K. Kamaraj expanded the Mid-Day Meal Scheme across Tamil Nadu to improve school enrolment and reduce dropouts.
  • 1982: M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) launched the Nutritious Meal Programme, expanding coverage and improving the nutritional quality of meals.
  • Later: Tamil Nadu Government introduced eggs in school meals to enhance children’s protein intake and nutritional status.
• Achievements
  • Increased school admissions, especially among disadvantaged children.
  • Reduced Dropouts and Improved student retention.
  • Encouraged regular school attendance.
  • Reduced protein and micronutrient deficiencies.
  • Better nutrition improved concentration and academic performance.
  • Inclusion of eggs significantly improved children’s protein consumption.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 21 – Right to Life
  The Right to Life has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the Right to Food and adequate nutrition.
• Article 39(f) – Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
  Directs the State to ensure the healthy development, dignity, and protection of children.
• Article 47 – DPSP
  Makes it the duty of the State to improve nutrition, the standard of living, and public health.
• International Linkages
  • SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
  • SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 – Quality Education

Criticism around including Eggs

Arguments in Favour 

• Low-cost and nutrient-dense food.
• Provides all essential amino acids.
• Helps prevent stunting, wasting, and protein deficiency.
• Rich in choline and vitamin B12, improving cognitive function.
• Encourages regular attendance and reduces dropouts.
• Better nutrition improves concentration and academic performance.

Arguments Against

• Due to Religious and Cultural dietary belief some communities object
• Considering Vegetarian preferences it is not acceptable to all children.
• Logistical Challenges including procurement, storage, and distribution issues and proper handling to prevent spoilage.

Way Forward

• Adopt a Science-Based Nutrition Policy
  • Prioritize evidence-based dietary decisions.
• Ensure State Flexibility
  • Allow states to design menus based on local preferences while meeting nutritional standards.
• Provide Nutritious Alternatives
  • Offer milk, pulses, or other protein-rich foods where eggs are not acceptable.
• Strengthen PM POSHAN
  • Improve monitoring, quality, and implementation.
• Promote Nutrition Awareness
  • Educate parents and communities on balanced diets.
• Invest in Human Capital
  • Treat child nutrition as a key driver of health, education, and economic development.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Which Article of the Constitution directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and improve public health?

A. Article 39A
B. Article 47
C. Article 51A
D. Article 46

Answer: B

Mains Practice Question

Q. “School nutrition programmes are not merely welfare measures but investments in human capital.” Discuss with reference to PM POSHAN and the role of nutrition in improving educational outcomes.

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