Scholarship
Mid Day Meals Scheme(MDMSS)
Overview
About MDMSS
The Mid Day Meals Scheme provides a free cooked meal on school days to children enrolled in government and government-aided schools. It is implemented by state governments through their own school systems as part of India's national school-feeding programme.
The scheme began in 1995 as the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education and is administered nationally by the Ministry of Education. In 2021 the central government renamed it Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN). It reaches children from Bal Vatika (pre-primary) through Class VIII, with meals set to defined nutrition standards: 450 calories and 12 grams of protein a day at the primary stage, and 700 calories and 20 grams at the upper-primary stage.
The scheme has two linked aims: to improve the nutritional status of school-age children and to encourage regular attendance, particularly among children from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is meant for students already enrolled in eligible government and government-aided schools rather than for individual application, so the meal reaches a child through the school they attend.
Sources: Mid Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN), India Brand Equity Foundation · Midday Meal Scheme, Wikipedia
Who runs it
Provider
Arunachal Pradesh State Government
State / UT Government
Education Department
At a glance
Key details
| Level | State |
| Scheme type | — |
| Category | Education & Learning |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Cash |
| Application mode | Offline |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| Students in Government and Government-aided schools: The scheme primarily targets students studying in government and government-aided schools across India. Children enrolled in classes from the primary level up to the secondary level are eligible to benefit from the scheme. | |
| Age criteria: The scheme typically covers children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. However, specific age requirements may vary slightly from state to state or depending on the educational policies of different regions. | |
| Socio-economic criteria: The Mid Day Meals Scheme aims to benefit children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Typically, children belonging to families with below-poverty-line (BPL) status or those from marginalized communities are given priority for enrollment in the scheme. | |
| School attendance: One of the key eligibility criteria for availing the benefits of the scheme is regular school attendance. Students are expected to attend school regularly to receive the mid-day meals. | |
| Enrolled in recognized schools: Children must be enrolled in schools recognized by the appropriate education authorities to be eligible for the scheme. The scheme is primarily implemented in schools that adhere to the government's educational standards and guidelines. |
Who cannot apply
Exclusions
- Children attending secondary or higher education institutions.
- Children enrolled in private schools not covered by the government's scheme.
- Schools or regions where alternative meal programs are already in place.
What you get
Award & benefits
- Improved nutritional status of children, leading to better physical and cognitive development.
- Increased school attendance and retention rates among children.
- Reduction in malnutrition-related health issues among school children.
- Enhances the concentration and learning abilities of children.
- Promotes social equality by ensuring equal access to nutritious meals for children from all socio-economic backgrounds.
- Alleviates the financial burden on families by providing free meals to their children.
- Creates employment opportunities for local communities through the implementation of the scheme.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply offline
See the official links below for the application portal.
Source
Official links
Questions
MDMSS – FAQ
Disclaimer
Scheme details are compiled from myScheme, the Government of India’s official scheme-discovery platform, and are reproduced without alteration. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility change between cycles — always confirm on the official links above before applying. Expertie does not process applications or charge fees.