In a landmark push to fight malnutrition and unlock the full potential of Odisha’s young learners, the state government has scaled up its flagship welfare programme to deliver hot, nutritious mid-day meals to secondary school students across Government and Government-aided schools.
The Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana (MMPY), launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister on 1 April 2025, is now in full swing. It directly addresses the growing nutritional needs of adolescents — a critical stage for growth, concentration, and academic success — while aiming to improve attendance, retention, and overall learning outcomes.
According to the official press release from the Department of Schools & Mass Education, the five-year programme (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030) carries an estimated total outlay of Rs 4,224.46 crore. It is designed to benefit approximately 57.41 lakh students.
In the very first financial year (2025-26), the government spent Rs 665.36 crore under the scheme. Nutritious mid-day meals reached 11,23,536 students studying in 8,962 educational institutions. The Cabinet has granted ex-post-facto approval for this expenditure.
Approval has also been accorded for providing mid-day meals to 46.6 lakh secondary school students over the next four years at an estimated cost of Rs 3,506.99 crore.
This expansion fills a crucial gap. While mid-day meals were earlier available up to Class 8 under the national PM POSHAN scheme, secondary students (Classes 9 and 10) — many from economically weaker sections — now have assured access to daily hot cooked meals. Proper nutrition at this stage helps reduce dropouts, supports better focus in classrooms, and lays the foundation for a healthier, more productive generation.
Officials describe MMPY as a “flagship welfare initiative” that goes beyond just feeding children — it invests in human capital by ensuring no student’s education suffers due to hunger.
With strong budgetary backing, cabinet-level approvals, and clear implementation targets already achieved in the first year, the Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana stands as a shining example of the Odisha government’s commitment to inclusive education and child welfare.
As the scheme rolls forward, thousands of adolescents across the state can look forward to fuller plates — and brighter futures.
