Material cost under PM POSHAN raised by 9.50% from 1 May 2025
The Ministry of Education raised the 'material cost' under the PM POSHAN scheme by 9.50% with effect from 1 May 2025, at an additional cost of about ₹954 crore to the Centre in 2025-26.
Summary
The Ministry of Education announced on 10 April 2025 a 9.50% increase in the 'material cost' under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme, effective 1 May 2025, involving an additional Central expenditure of about ₹954 crore in 2025-26. The per-student, per-day cost rises from ₹6.19 to ₹6.78 for Bal Vatika and primary classes and from ₹9.29 to ₹10.17 for upper primary classes. These are minimum mandatory rates; states and UTs may contribute more. The scheme covers about 11.20 crore students in 10.36 lakh government and government-aided schools. The revision is based on the Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers (CPI-RL), compiled by the Labour Bureau from 600 villages in 20 states.
Key facts
- Increase
- 9.50%, effective 1 May 2025
- Additional Central cost
- about ₹954 crore in 2025-26
- Bal Vatika and primary
- ₹6.19 → ₹6.78 per student per day
- Upper primary
- ₹9.29 → ₹10.17 per student per day
- Coverage
- 11.20 crore students, 10.36 lakh schools
- Basis
- CPI-RL, Labour Bureau (600 villages, 20 states)
Practice MCQs 4 questions
By what percentage was the 'material cost' under PM POSHAN raised with effect from 1 May 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 9.50%
9.50%, at an additional Central cost of about ₹954 crore in 2025-26.
What is the revised per-student, per-day material cost for Bal Vatika and primary classes under PM POSHAN from 1 May 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹6.78
₹6.78, up from ₹6.19; upper primary rises from ₹9.29 to ₹10.17.
Consider the following statements about the PM POSHAN material cost revision of April 2025: 1. It is based on the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW). 2. The revised rates are minimum mandatory rates, and states/UTs may contribute more. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The revision is based on the Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) compiled by the Labour Bureau, not CPI-IW; the rates are minimum mandatory rates.
About how many students in how many schools are covered by PM POSHAN, as stated by the Ministry of Education in April 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 11.20 crore students in 10.36 lakh schools
11.20 crore students in 10.36 lakh government and government-aided schools.