Recent data presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Education Ministry shows a steady shrinking of the country's flagship mid-day meal programme, now known as PM-POSHAN. The number of schools participating in the scheme fell from 11.19 to 10.35 lakh in 2024-25 academic years, marking a net loss of 84,453 schools for five years.
While the programme is designed to provide hot, cooked meals to children from pre-Class 1 through Class 8 in government and aided institutions, this nationwide reduction suggests a significant scale-back in the programme's actual reach.
The decline is particularly noticeable in several Bharatiya Janata Party-governed states, which accounted for a large portion of the missing schools. Uttar Pradesh saw its coverage drop by 26,000 schools, falling from 1.67 lakh to 1.41 lakh during this period. In Madhya Pradesh, the numbers were even poor relatively to their starting point, plummeting by more than 24,000 schools to reach a current count of 84,453. By contrast, the reduction in Trinamool-ruled West Bengal was more modest, with the number of participating schools decreasing by 2,156.
While the Centre has not provided a specific explanation for why so many schools have fallen out of the scheme, officials in Parliament maintained that the "overall responsibility" for delivering nutritious meals to children ultimately rests with the state governments and UT administrations. This stance has only fueled existing tensions, especially in West Bengal. State Minister Shashi Panja has frequently criticised the Central government, alleging that a halt in ICDS dues has forced the state to shoulder the entire financial burden for feeding children and pregnant mothers. She further claimed that central apathy has left many local centers in a state of neglect, turning what should be a nutritional safety net into a point of bitter political friction.
Also read: Five arrested in UP's 11 cr mid-day meal scam
Follow us
