PM POSHAN (erstwhile Mid Day Meal Scheme, renamed 2021) mandates caloric provision for primary school children. What is the current stipulated minimum caloric content per meal?

• A 300 kcal for primary (I–V) and 700 kcal for upper primary (VI–VIII)
• B 700 kcal for all school children regardless of class
• C 300 kcal for primary (I–V) and 500 kcal for upper primary (VI–VIII)
• D 450 kcal for primary (I–V) and 700 kcal for upper primary (VI–VIII) ✓

Explanation

PM POSHAN (PM Poshan Shakti Nirman), renamed from Mid Day Meal Scheme in 2021, mandates a minimum of 450 kcal and 12 g protein per meal for primary class children (I–V) and 700 kcal and 20 g protein for upper primary children (VI–VIII). The scheme was extended to pre-primary (Balvatikas attached to government schools) and now covers from pre-school through class VIII. These nutritional norms were revised upward from the earlier 300 kcal/8 g protein standard for primary school.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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