Evolution of School Feeding Programs and Nutritional Policy in India – Prelims Specific

Introduction

School feeding programs in India have transitioned from localized charitable initiatives to a constitutional and legal entitlement. These programs are critical for human capital development, aiming to mitigate hunger and improve educational outcomes. The current discourse surrounding menu diversity in schools highlights the intersection of state policy, scientific nutritional norms, and social sensitivities.

Why in News?

• The exclusion of eggs from school meals in some regions due to local objections has triggered a debate regarding the uniformity of nutritional standards.
• This development underscores the tension between regional autonomy in menu planning and the central government's goal of addressing child malnutrition.

Static Link

• The issue is fundamentally linked to Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, a Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP), which mandates the State to improve public health and raise the level of nutrition.
• The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, provides the legislative mandate for providing nutritional support to children in schools.
• UPSC can test the constitutional status of these provisions or link them to the broader discourse on DPSP implementation vs. federal autonomy.

Institutional Link

• Ministry of Education: Nodal ministry for the implementation of PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman).
• National Institute of Nutrition (NIN): An autonomous body under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that establishes scientific nutritional benchmarks.
• School Management Committees: Local bodies responsible for ground-level implementation and monitoring of school meals.

Core Prelims Facts

• PM POSHAN Scheme: Replaced the erstwhile Midday Meal Scheme. It covers students in Classes I to VIII in government and government-aided schools.
• Nutritional Norms: The scheme targets a minimum of 700 calories and 20 grams of protein per child per day.
• Historical Context: The first school feeding program was pioneered in the Madras Presidency around 1920 under the Justice Party.
• PM POSHAN Objectives: Aims to combat stunting, wasting, and anemia while promoting school enrollment and retention.

Important Terms and Concepts

• Hidden Hunger: A form of malnutrition where the intake of essential vitamins and minerals is inadequate, despite sufficient caloric intake.
• Bioavailability: The proportion of a nutrient that is absorbed from the diet and used for normal body functions. Eggs are often cited as a high-bioavailability protein source.
• Social Equalizer: The role of school meals in reducing caste and class-based discrimination by having children eat together.

Bodies / Organisations / Institutions

• Ministry of Education: Oversees the policy framework for school nutrition.
• ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN): Provides technical guidance on dietary requirements.
• State Governments: Hold the mandate to adjust menus based on regional availability while adhering to minimum nutritional requirements set by the Centre.

Schemes / Laws / Reports / Conventions

• PM POSHAN Shakti Nirman: The current central scheme providing hot cooked meals to eligible students.
• National Food Security Act, 2013: Provides the legal framework for the right to food and school-based nutrition.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan: An overarching government initiative to reduce malnutrition across the country.

Possible UPSC Prelims Traps

• Constitutional vs. Statutory: Article 47 is a DPSP, whereas the right to food is grounded in the NFSA, 2013. Confusing these two is a common trap.
• Central vs. State Mandate: UPSC may present a statement suggesting that the Centre dictates every aspect of the menu. In reality, states retain flexibility in menu planning, provided they meet the nutritional standards defined by the Ministry.
• Scope of PM POSHAN: Trap may involve the classes covered; it focuses on Classes I to VIII.

One-Minute Revision Notes

• Article 47 (DPSP): Duty of State to raise nutrition levels.
• PM POSHAN: Successor to Midday Meal Scheme, under Ministry of Education.
• Nutritional benchmark: 700 calories and 20 grams of protein per child/day.
• First instance: 1920, Madras Presidency (Justice Party).
• Legislative backing: National Food Security Act, 2013.

Practice MCQ for Prelims

1. With reference to the PM POSHAN scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at providing hot cooked meals to students from Classes I to VIII.

2. The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) provides the scientific nutritional standards for the meals served.

3. Under the Indian Constitution, the provision for improving nutrition levels is a Fundamental Right.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: a)

Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect because the provision for improving nutrition is contained in Article 47, which is a Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP), not a Fundamental Right.