Historical Background

The National Programme on Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) commonly known as Mid Day Meal Programme was launched as a centrally sponsored Scheme on the 15th August 1995 by providing dry ration @ 100 grams per child per day.

In September 2004, the scheme was revised to provide cooked Mid Day Meal with 300 calories and 8-12 grams of protein to all children studying in Class 1-V (Govt. and Aided Primary) including Special Training centres. In addition to free supply of food grains, the revised scheme also provides cooking cost @ 1/- per child per day.
In the year 2007-08, the Mid Day Meal was extended to Upper Primary Schools all over the country.

Main Objective of Mid Day Meal Scheme

• Boost Universalisation of Elementary Education – increasing enrolment, attendance, retention and bring down the dropout rate
• Improving the nutritional status of children
• Encourage poor children to attend school regularly and help them to concentrate on classroom activities- stop classroom hunger