Full Form of MDM

What is MDM?

The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme is a flagship school lunch program of the Government of India, designed to improve nutritional status, enrollment, retention, and learning outcomes among children in primary and upper primary classes. Launched in 1995 and later strengthened by the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education, it provides free cooked meals every school day to crores of children across government and government-aided schools. The scheme plays a critical role in combating classroom hunger, addressing malnutrition, and encouraging attendance, especially among socio-economically disadvantaged groups. It is operational in all states and Union Territories, with menus often reflecting local dietary habits to ensure cultural acceptability. The MDM program also promotes social equity by mandating that children sit together to eat, regardless of caste or economic background. For competitive exams like UPSC, State PCS, or teaching eligibility tests, questions on MDM’s coverage, budgetary allocation, and its evolution including the renaming to PM POSHAN are common. The scheme has faced challenges related to infrastructure, quality, and food safety, but remains one of India’s largest school-based nutrition initiatives, reaching over 11.8 crore children annually.

MDM का फुल फॉर्म

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The MDM scheme has significantly boosted school attendance in rural areas, with many parents citing the guaranteed meal as a key reason for sending their children to school.

MDM — frequently asked questions