Odisha Govt to Provide Mid-Day Meals for Class 9, 10 Students from 2025-26
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to boost student nutrition and attendance, the Odisha government has decided to extend the mid-day meal scheme to Class 9 and 10 students in government and government-aided schools.
The initiative, set to begin in the 2025-26 financial year, aims to enhance enrolment, attendance and retention rates in secondary schools.
According to a notification issued by the School and Mass Education Department, the scheme will be implemented under the ‘Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana’, with an estimated annual expenditure of Rs. 570.71 crore, fully funded by the state budget. The proposal has received approval from the Finance Department and the Planning and Convergence Department.
The decision aligns with the government’s efforts to improve nutritional standards among students while encouraging continued education at the secondary level.
