The Akshaya Patra Foundation (worldwide NGO) implements the PM POSHAN ABHIYAN by serving wholesome school lunch to over 2 million children each day in more than 22,000 Government and Government-aided schools around India across 15 states and 2 UTs across the country. Volunteers, donors and members of the NGO are its main drivers who come together to serve the nutritious food to children who come from underserved communities. Given that Akshaya Patra is a registered NGO as defined by Section 12A(a) of the Income Tax Act of 1961, donations made to the organisation qualify for income tax exemption under Section 80G.

2. Intro
The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme was renamed as the National Scheme for PM-POSHAN in Schools, or PM POSHAN
Abhiyaan by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on September 29, 2021.
With the renaming of the scheme, it was expanded to include pre-primary students in addition to students in Classes 1
through 8 in government and government-aided schools across the nation.
What is the PM POSHAN Abhiyan?
PM POSHAN is a revamped version of the existing Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme that is now extended to students
studying in pre-primary levels of government and government-aided primary schools. Under this scheme, free
nutritious meals are served to children coming from economically backward families, across India.

3. How is PM POSHAN Abhiyaan different from MDM Scheme?
1. While the MDM programme was about feeding children healthy meals, PM POSHAN also keeps a check on the
nutritional status of children.
2. The scheme also ensures the appointment of a nutritional specialist in every school to ensure that the students’
BMI, haemoglobin, and weight levels are checked.
3. Children in districts with high anaemia prevalence receive special consideration for nutritional supplies.
4. The government also strives to establish nutrition gardens within school campuses, with student involvement.
5. The programme attempts to encourage cooking competitions at all levels, from the village to the national level,
in order to promote ethnic cuisine and creative menus made using readily available ingredients in the area.
Implementation & Audit
PM POSHAN incorporates Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) and Women Self Help Groups in the execution of
the scheme to boost Vocal4Local and achieve the goals of the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.
Under PM POSHAN, social audits are conducted for every school in every district to monitor and evaluate how the
programme is being implemented.

4. Akshaya Patra and PM POSHAN
The Akshaya Patra Foundation (worldwide NGO) implements the PM POSHAN ABHIYAN by serving wholesome
school lunch to over 2 million children each day in more than 22,000 Government and Government-aided schools
around India across 15 states and 2 UTs across the country.
Volunteers, donors and members of the NGO are its main drivers who come together to serve the nutritious food
to children who come from underserved communities.
Given that Akshaya Patra is a registered NGO as defined by Section 12A(a) of the Income Tax Act of 1961,
donations made to the organisation qualify for income tax exemption under Section 80G.