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PM POSHAN Scheme: Gujarat Mid-Day Meal Beneficiaries Fall 1.76 Lakh But Spending Rises 57% to ₹1,626 Cr

Social IssuesPolitySUPPORT
Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
04 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:1.76 lakh fewer meals57% spending increase₹1,626.08 crore (2024-25)32,266 government schools3,012 outsourced schools
Bodies:Gujarat AssemblyMinistry of Education
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What This Article Covers

1.Gujarat's PM POSHAN Scheme sees a decline of 1.76 lakh student beneficiaries from 2022-23 to 2024-25, while expenditure increased by ₹590 crore to ₹1,626 crore.

2.Increased spending is attributed to rising input costs and capital expenditure on items like utensils and kitchen sheds, alongside increased payments to NGOs providing meals.

3.This data, presented to the Gujarat Assembly, serves as a critical case study for UPSC aspirants on challenges in welfare scheme implementation, fiscal efficiency, and interpreting contradictory social indicators.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Official data from Gujarat reveals a paradoxical trend in the PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal) Scheme: beneficiary numbers declined by 1.76 lakh over three years, yet expenditure surged by 57% to ₹1,626 crore. This highlights the crucial interplay between changing consumption patterns (urban children bringing tiffin) and rising input costs, a key case study for evaluating welfare scheme efficacy and financial management.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Beneficiary Decline1.76 lakh fewer meals
Expenditure Increase57% (₹590 cr)
2024-25 Expenditure₹1,626.08 crore
CoverageClasses 1-8, 32,266 schools
Outsourced Schools3,012 schools (6.5 lakh students)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Beneficiary Decline: 1.76 lakh fewer meals
  • ›Expenditure Increase: 57% (₹590 cr)
  • ›Target this Data: Decline of 1.76 lakh beneficiaries & 57% (₹590 cr) spending rise (Prelims Fact).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Education (implementation) & PM POSHAN Scheme (Mains Linkage).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) nature of PM POSHAN (Polity/Governance).

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

The PM POSHAN Scheme, mentioned in the news, is primarily implemented by which ministry/department of the Government of India?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Mid-Day Meal Scheme data from Gujarat presented in the news:

1. The number of daily meals served declined by over 1.7 lakh from 2022-23 to 2024-25.

2. The expenditure on the scheme increased primarily due to a significant rise in payments to NGOs providing the meals.

3. Gujarat was the first state in India to implement the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the data presented to the Gujarat Assembly, what was the total expenditure on the Mid-Day Meal Scheme for the year 2024-25?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

As per the official quoted in the article, what is cited as a possible reason for the decline in the number of beneficiaries of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Gujarat?

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