The Meal That Changes Everything: Why Experts Are Calling for a National School Breakfast Rollout

Updated: November 28, 2025 05:01

Image Source : Deccan Herald

Seven states and UTs have urged the Centre to add breakfast to the PM POSHAN midday meal scheme, backed by the National Education Policy 2020 and successful pilots in Tamil Nadu and other states. Research shows a morning meal boosts nutrition, attendance and learning—at a relatively modest additional fiscal cost.

Editorials and policy analyses highlight growing consensus that schoolchildren should receive not just lunch but also a simple, nutritious breakfast through the nationwide PM POSHAN network. Rajasthan, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Delhi, Sikkim, Lakshadweep and others have formally asked the Union government to approve this expansion, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020, which explicitly recommends a morning meal in schools.

Evidence from Tamil Nadu’s pioneering Breakfast Scheme—now covering over 20 lakh children—shows improved attendance, better concentration and positive health trends, strengthening the case for a national model. Policy estimates suggest a nationwide rollout would cost around ₹4,000–6,000 crore annually, a fraction of the Union government’s total expenditure but with potentially transformative long‑term returns in human capital, productivity and equity.

Experts caution, however, that expansion must come with better pay, staffing and infrastructure for anganwadi and mid‑day meal workers, as well as strong nutrition standards, hygiene, and monitoring to avoid overburdening an already stretched frontline workforce.

Key Highlights

NEP 2020 and Education Ministry proposals support adding breakfast to PM POSHAN in government and aided schools.
At least seven States/UTs have formally asked the Centre to fund a breakfast component; 11 more want the scheme extended up to Class XII.
Tamil Nadu’s state-funded breakfast scheme, launched in 2022, now benefits over 20 lakh students with measurable gains in attendance and nutrition.
Studies link a morning meal to better attention, continuity of nutrition, reduced inequality in classrooms and improved learning outcomes.
Estimated incremental cost of ₹4,000–6,000 crore annually is viewed as modest compared to future savings in healthcare and remedial education.
Successful national rollout requires upgraded kitchens, supply chains, hygiene protocols and fair remuneration for anganwadi and ASHA workers.

Source: Deccan Herald editorial, The Indian Express analyses, Government and parliamentary reports on PM POSHAN and state breakfast schemes.

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