Bhubaneswar, June 20, (OT Webdesk) – The Government of Odisha has announced a significant enhancement to the PM POSHAN midday meal program, reinforcing its commitment to child nutrition and welfare.
Effective from May 1, 2025, the state has revised the material cost structure to include an additional Rs 2.92 per student per day.
This extra funding will provide three Nutritional Laddoos and an additional egg, further enriching the dietary diversity and protein intake of schoolchildren.
Under the revised norms, the Union Government will contribute Rs 6.78 for Primary and Rs 10.17 for Upper Primary students per day, while Odisha continues its support with Rs 1.45 and Rs 1.65 respectively.
With the new state addition, the total daily material cost per student now stands at Rs 11.15 for Primary and Rs 14.74 for Upper Primary.
The School and Mass Education Department’s notification reflects Odisha’s proactive stance in addressing malnutrition and improving educational outcomes for children, especially in rural and marginalised communities.
This move is seen as a progressive step toward holistic child development, leveraging food security as a cornerstone of educational equity.
