SYLLABUS

GS-2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Education received formal proposals from several States and UTs asking to expand the PM-POSHAN scheme to include a morning meal for school students.

More on the News

• Seven States and UTs have requested the Centre to add breakfast to the PM-POSHAN scheme in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommendations.

• Eleven States and UTs, including Kerala, Karnataka, and Meghalaya, have also sought the extension of PM-POSHAN to students up to Class 12.

• The request follows the NEP 2020’s call for a nutritious breakfast before classes to enhance students’ concentration and academic performance.

• The Ministry is currently evaluating the feasibility and financial implications of the proposal, with the estimated additional cost being around ₹6,000 crore annually.

• A final decision will depend on inter-ministerial consultations and budgetary provisions, with a possible pilot rollout before full-scale implementation.

Key Details of the Proposal

• The PM-POSHAN (Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) scheme, earlier known as the Midday Meal Scheme, provides cooked meals to students from pre-primary to Class 8 in government and government-aided schools.

• The Centre supplies foodgrains and shares the cost with States in a 60:40 ratio, and in a 90:10 ratio for northeastern and Himalayan States.

• States such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Telangana have already introduced state-funded breakfast schemes showing positive results in attendance and classroom engagement.

• The Ministry of Finance earlier declined the breakfast proposal in 2021, citing fiscal constraints, but the demand has gained renewed support after its success in some States.

• The Education Ministry is likely to seek Cabinet approval after reviewing State feedback and assessing cost-sharing models.

POSHAN Abhiyaan

• The Government launched the POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) on March 8, 2018, to address malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

• The programme aims to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anaemia, and low birth weight in a time-bound manner through a life-cycle approach.

• The targets include reducing stunting and undernutrition by 2% per annum and anaemia among women and children by 3% per annum.

Mission POSHAN 2.0

• It was announced in the 2021–22 Budget, as an integrated nutrition support programme covering all States and Union Territories.

• The mission aims to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, and governance through the Poshan Tracker and accredited food testing laboratories.

• States and UTs are encouraged to promote AYUSH-based practices for malnutrition prevention and to establish Poshan Vatikas at Anganwadi Centres to enhance dietary diversity.

• Guidelines have been issued to ensure transparency and accountability in supplementary nutrition delivery and to track outcomes effectively.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q: Discuss the significance of expanding the PM-POSHAN scheme to include breakfast in light of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. How can this initiative contribute to improving learning outcomes and addressing child nutrition challenges in India?

Source:
PIB
Education Post
IndianExpress