More than 40 lakh primary school students across Gujarat receive daily nutritious breakfast under a state government scheme. The Mukhyamantri Paushtik Alpahar Yojana , launched in 2024 by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, provides additional nutrition to students in government and grant-in-aid primary schools. This program supplements the existing mid-day meals offered through the PM Poshan Yojana.
Scheme Overview and Nutritional Targets
The Mukhyamantri Paushtik Alpahar Yojana aims to enhance student nutrition levels. Each student receives food items designed to provide an average of 200 kilocalories and six grams of protein . This calorie and protein-rich nutrition reaches students in 32,265 primary schools across the state.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated the initiative improves student nutritional levels. He also noted an increase in student interest in attending government schools following the scheme’s introduction. Patel affirmed the state government’s commitment to providing essential facilities in government schools. These facilities include modern classrooms, safe drinking water, reliable electricity, hygienic toilets, proper sanitation, and efficient transportation.
Impact on Student Attendance and Health
The scheme has significantly improved both school attendance and student nutritional status. Hasmukh Patel, principal of Ahmadpur Primary School in Dehgam taluka, Gandhinagar, confirmed these positive outcomes. In many rural areas, parents often leave for daily labor early, resulting in children arriving at school without a morning meal.
Before the scheme, many students exhibited irregular attendance and limited interest in their studies. Post-implementation, regular attendance has increased substantially. The number of malnourished children has declined considerably. The inclusion of pulses in the supplementary nutrition also supports children’s physical development.
Nutritional Offerings and Financial Commitment
Students receive a variety of nutritious snacks. These offerings include sukhdi , an Indian sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee. Other items are chana chaat , a chickpea salad, mixed pulses, and various millet-based food products.
For the financial year 2025–26 , the Gujarat state government has allocated a budget of Rs 617.67 crore for the Mukhyamantri Paushtik Alpahar Yojana. This allocation underscores the government’s sustained commitment to the program.
Gujarat’s Pioneering Initiative
Gujarat stands as the first state to extend nutritious snack provisions to all students from Balvatikas (preschool) up to Class 8. This provision comes in addition to the meals already provided under the PM Poshan Yojana. The nutrition-focused initiative aligns with broader national goals for integrated child health and education.