The PM-POSHAN Scheme (formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme) underwent restructuring under the National Education Policy 2020 framework. Under PM-POSHAN (as of 2022), the scheme covers children in government and government-aided schools up to which class?

• A Class 5 (Primary only)
• B Class 10 (Secondary)
• C Class 12 (Higher Secondary)
• D Class 8 (Primary + Upper Primary) ✓

Explanation

PM-POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman), the restructured Mid-Day Meal scheme launched in 2021, covers students from Class 1 to Class 8 (Primary: Classes 1–5; Upper Primary: Classes 6–8) in government and government-aided schools and recognized Madrasas/Maktabs supported under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. The scheme aims to enhance nutritional status and school retention. It does not currently extend to secondary classes (9–12). The caloric and protein norms differ by level: primary (450 kcal, 12g protein) vs upper primary (700 kcal, 20g protein) per meal.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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