Telangana PM POSHAN Coverage Drops 19%, Data Tabled in Parliament

NEW DELHI: The number of children covered under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme in Telangana has declined from 17.91 lakh in 2021-22 to 14.5 lakh in 2025-26, according to data presented by the Union Education Ministry in the Lok Sabha.

The figures were disclosed in response to a query raised by BJP MP Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao regarding the utilisation of funds under the erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and its successor, Samagra Shiksha. Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi provided the written reply on August 10.

Data shows that the number of PM POSHAN beneficiaries in Telangana increased from 17.90 lakh in 2021-22 to 21.05 lakh in 2022-23, before falling to 18.88 lakh in 2023-24, 15.75 lakh in 2024-25 and 14.49 lakh in 2025-26. The decline is particularly sharp in the last two years, with a reduction of nearly 6.5 lakh children compared to the peak in 2022-23.

Under PM POSHAN, eligible children in Balvatika (pre-primary) and Classes I to VIII in government and government-aided schools are provided one hot cooked meal on all school days. The prescribed nutritional norms are 450 calories and 12 grams of protein per child per day for primary classes, and 700 calories and 20 grams of protein for upper primary classes.

The government's reply highlighted several measures taken by the Telangana government to improve the quality and nutritional standards of meals. These include supplying fine rice to eligible students, providing eggs three times a week, and introducing Ragi Java (a millet-based drink) three times a week. Regular quality monitoring and inspections are being conducted by State, district and mandal-level officials, along with periodic food safety, hygiene and sanitation inspections in schools.

The reply also mentioned that 736 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) have been approved for Telangana, including 26 in Medak district. KGBVs are residential schools for girls from marginalized communities, and they also receive PM POSHAN meals.

The decline in beneficiaries has raised concerns among education activists and opposition MPs, who have asked the government to explain the reasons. Some have pointed to school closures, changes in enrollment patterns, or possible errors in data reporting. However, the Ministry has not provided any specific rationale for the drop in its Lok Sabha reply.

PM POSHAN, earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, is one of India's largest school feeding programmes, aiming to improve nutrition and encourage school attendance. While the scheme is centrally sponsored, states are responsible for implementation, including the identification of eligible children.

This development comes at a time when the nation focuses on child nutrition and education outcomes. Parliamentarians from Telangana, including the MP who raised the question, may seek further clarification in the ongoing session.