Mid Day Meal Scheme — Current Affairs 2026

Current Affairs Connections

Recent developments and news linked to Mid Day Meal Scheme.

PM POSHAN Abhiyaan to Integrate AI for Predictive Analytics on Nutritional Outcomes

October 2025

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with NITI Aayog, is exploring the integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning models into the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan's monitoring framework. This initiative aims to use predictive analytics on UDISE+ and MDM-MIS data to identify schools or regions at high risk of nutritional deficiencies, supply chain disruptions, or quality control issues. By leveraging AI, the program seeks to move from reactive problem-solving to proactive intervention, ensuring more targeted and efficient resource allocation. This development reflects a broader trend towards digital governance and data-driven policy-making in India's social sector programs.

UPSC Angle: Examine the role of technology in improving social welfare schemes, challenges of data privacy and digital divide, and potential for enhanced efficiency and accountability in PM POSHAN. Connect to topics like e-governance, public policy, and ethical AI.

Parliamentary Committee Recommends Universalization of PM POSHAN to Secondary Schools

March 2024

A recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has recommended the phased expansion of PM POSHAN Abhiyaan to cover students in secondary schools (Classes IX-XII). The committee cited evidence of continued nutritional deficiencies and dropout rates at the secondary level, arguing that extending the scheme could significantly improve health outcomes and educational attainment for adolescents. The recommendation highlights the ongoing debate about the scope and coverage of social welfare programs, balancing fiscal constraints with the imperative of human capital development. This move, if implemented, would represent a major expansion of the scheme's mandate.

UPSC Angle: Analyze the feasibility and implications of expanding PM POSHAN to secondary education, considering budgetary implications, infrastructure requirements, and potential impact on adolescent health and education. Discuss the role of parliamentary committees in policy formulation and oversight.