Union Education Ministry has enhanced the Material Cost under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) by 13.70 per cent.

The Ministry in a statement said that the material cost has been enhanced from 5.45 rupees to 6.19 rupees for primary and Bal Vatika classes and from 8.17 rupees to 9.29 rupees for upper primary classes. The revised rate has come into effect from 1st of this month.

The Central Government will bear the additional cost of over 425 crore rupees in financial year 2024-25 on account of this enhancement. The new rates will be applicable across all the States and UTs, however, they are free to contribute more than their prescribed share.

PM POSHAN Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme under which one hot cooked meal is served to 11.70 crore students studying in Balvatika and classes 1 to 8th, in over 10 lakh Government and Government-aided schools on all school days. The Scheme aims at providing nutritional support and enhancing school participation of students.