Enhancement of ‘Material Cost’ under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme
Posted On: 11 April 2025 | Source: PIB Delhi
PM POSHAN Scheme is a centrally sponsored initiative under which one hot cooked meal is served to 11.20 crore students studying in Balvatika and classes I to VIII, in 10.36 lakh Government and Government-aided schools on all school-days. The Scheme aims at providing nutritional support and enhancing school participation of students.
Material Cost Ingredients
Under the PM POSHAN Scheme, ‘Material Cost’ is provided for procurement of the following ingredients required for cooking the meals:
| Ingredients | Per Student Per Meal Quantity Bal Vatika & Primary |
Upper Primary |
|---|---|---|
| Pulses | 20 gm | 30 gm |
| Vegetables | 50 gm | 75 gm |
| Oil | 5 gm | 7.5 gm |
| Spices & Condiments | As per need | |
| Fuel | As per need | |
Cost Enhancement Based on CPI-RL Index
The Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour provides data on inflation for these items based on the Consumer Price Index – Rural Labourers (CPI-RL), compiled from prices collected in 600 villages across 20 States.
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PM POSHAN Scheme ਹੇਠ ‘Material Cost’ ਵਿਚ ਵਾਧਾ
Based on the inflation index provided by the Labour Bureau, the Ministry of Education has enhanced the ‘Material Cost’ by 9.50%. The revised rates are applicable across all States and UTs from 01.05.2025.
The Central Government will bear the additional cost of approx. Rs. 954 crore in FY 2025-26 due to this enhancement.
Revised Material Cost per Student per Day
| Classes | Existing Material Cost (Rs.) | Enhanced Material Cost (Rs.) w.e.f. 01.05.2025 |
Enhancement (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bal Vatika | 6.19 | 6.78 | 0.59 |
| Primary | 6.19 | 6.78 | 0.59 |
| Upper Primary | 9.29 | 10.17 | 0.88 |
These rates are the minimum mandatory rates. However, States/UTs may contribute more than their prescribed share from their own resources to provide meals with enhanced nutrition.
Additional Support from Government of India
Besides the Material Cost, the Government of India provides about 26 lakh MT foodgrains annually through the Food Corporation of India. The government bears:
- 100% cost of foodgrains (approx. Rs. 9000 crore per annum)
- 100% transportation cost of foodgrains from FCI depot to schools
After adding all components, the per meal cost under the PM POSHAN Scheme is approximately:
- Rs. 12.13 for Bal Vatika and Primary classes
- Rs. 17.62 for Upper Primary classes
