Sarkari Yojana
Mid Day Meals Scheme
About Mid Day Meals Scheme
The government brought in the Mid Day Meals Scheme (MDM) as a welfare programme to tackle hunger, malnutrition, and poor school attendance among children. It sets out to give school children throughout the country free, nutritious meals, with a hot cooked meal served in primary and upper primary schools.
The scheme has two main goals. The first is to raise children’s nutritional level so that they get a balanced diet and the key nutrients they need to grow and develop. The second is to push up school attendance and retention by taking hunger out of the way and giving parents a reason to send their children to school.
Scheme Details
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Mid Day Meals Scheme, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
Students in Government and Government-aided schools
Students in Government and Government-aided schools: The scheme is aimed mainly at children studying in government and government-aided schools throughout India, and those enrolled in classes from the primary level up to the secondary level can benefit.
Age criteria
Age criteria: Children aged between 6 and 14 years are generally covered, though the exact age limits can differ a little between states or according to regional education policies.
Socio-economic criteria
Socio-economic criteria: The scheme is meant to help children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and those from below-poverty-line (BPL) families or marginalised communities usually get priority for enrolment.
School attendance
School attendance: Attending school regularly is a key condition, as students must come to school regularly to get the mid-day meals.
Enrolled in recognized schools
Enrolled in recognized schools: Only children enrolled in schools recognised by the appropriate education authorities qualify, and the scheme runs mainly in schools that follow the government's educational standards and guidelines.
Benefits Provided
Mid Day Meals Scheme provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:
Children's nutrition improves, supporting better physical and cognitive…
Children's nutrition improves, supporting better physical and cognitive growth.
More children come to school and stay on
More children come to school and stay on.
Health problems linked to malnutrition among school children…
Health problems linked to malnutrition among school children go down.
Children are able to concentrate and learn better
Children are able to concentrate and learn better.
Social equality is promoted, since children from every…
Social equality is promoted, since children from every socio-economic background get the same access to nutritious meals.
Families save money because their children receive meals…
Families save money because their children receive meals free of cost.
Running the scheme opens up jobs for local…
Running the scheme opens up jobs for local communities.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
Students' birth certificates or other age proof
Students' birth certificates or other age proof
Aadhaar card or another identity document
Aadhaar card or another identity document
Certificate of school registration
Certificate of school registration
Bank account details, where direct benefit transfer applies
Bank account details, where direct benefit transfer applies
How to Apply
Offline Application
Applicants can apply for Mid Day Meals Scheme through the offline application process outlined below.
Registration at the School Parents or guardians of…
Registration at the School Parents or guardians of eligible children should go to the school where they want their child enrolled under the Mid Day Meals Scheme and complete the registration form given by the school administration.
Verification of Eligibility The school authorities check whether…
Verification of Eligibility The school authorities check whether the student is eligible, looking at factors like age, enrolment in a recognised school, and socio-economic background, and may ask for documents or hold interviews where needed.
Enrollment Confirmation After eligibility is confirmed, the school…
Enrollment Confirmation After eligibility is confirmed, the school administration informs the parents or guardians that the child has been enrolled in the Mid Day Meals Scheme, and shares when the meals will start along with any other instructions.
Regular Attendance The student has to keep attending…
Regular Attendance The student has to keep attending school regularly to go on receiving the benefits, and school authorities monitor attendance records to make sure the student is taking part.
Meal Distribution Enrolled students are served the mid-day…
Meal Distribution Enrolled students are served the mid-day meals during school hours, generally on the school premises, in classrooms or a dining area set aside for the purpose, depending on the school's facilities.
Periodic Evaluation From time to time, school authorities…
Periodic Evaluation From time to time, school authorities may review how well the Mid Day Meals Scheme is working and what impact it has, which can include gathering feedback from students, parents, and teachers to improve the programme.
Exclusions / Who Is Not Eligible
- 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.
Official Application & Website
Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.