Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance

The **PM POSHAN Scheme**, a centrally sponsored initiative under the concurrent list of the Constitution, mandates the provision of hot, nutritious meals to children in government and government-aided schools from **Balvatika (pre-primary) to Class 8**, with implementation delegated to state governments and Union Territories. Aligned with the **National Food Security Act, 2013**, the scheme sets **daily nutritional and food standards**—for primary classes, **450 calories and 12g protein** are prescribed, while for upper primary classes, the norms are **700 calories and 20g protein**, alongside fixed quantities of cereals (100g/150g), pulses (20g/30g), vegetables (50g/75g), and oils/fats (5g/7.5g). States are encouraged to incorporate **local produce like millets and spices** to enhance dietary diversity, with **5% of the recurring budget allocated as a flexi component** for supplementary initiatives, such as setting up **School Nutrition Gardens (SNGs)** in identified districts. The scheme’s impact was evaluated by **NITI Aayog in 2025-26**, which found a **positive correlation** between the program and improved **nutritional levels and learning outcomes** among children, as highlighted by the Minister of State for Education in a recent Lok Sabha reply.

For **Banking, SSC, and RBI Grade B aspirants**, this scheme is relevant as it intersects with **governance, social welfare, and public expenditure**—key areas tested in exams. The **financial allocation, nutritional benchmarks, and inter-state implementation** reflect **policy coordination between the Centre and states**, a concept often examined in **RBI Grade B’s Economic & Social Issues (ESI) syllabus**. For **SSC exams**, questions on **government schemes, constitutional provisions (concurrent list), and food security laws** are common, while **Bank PO interviews** may probe awareness of **public welfare programs** and their **economic implications**, such as reducing malnutrition and improving school attendance. The scheme’s **flexi-fund mechanism** and **localized approach** also underscore themes like **decentralized governance** and **sustainable development**, which are frequently discussed in current affairs sections of competitive exams.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

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