13 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

Social IssuesEconomyPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Chhattisgarh Midday Meal Cooks Protest for Fair Honorarium, Job Security

Midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh protest for increased honorarium and job security.

Photo by Neelakshi Singh

Hundreds of midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh have been protesting since December 29, demanding an increase to their honorarium of ₹2,000 a month. They are also demanding job security and a sum of money that will cover at least their basic daily expenses.

The protest started with three key demands: Raising the honorarium according to the collector rate, changing all the part-time posts to full-time ones, and no cooks to be sacked if schools see a dip in the number of students. The PM-POSHAN scheme, rolled out for a five-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, provides one hot, cooked meal to students up to Class 8 in government and government-aided schools.

Key Facts

Hundreds of midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh have been protesting since December 29, 2025.

The cooks are demanding an increase to their honorarium of ₹2,000 a month.

The Chhattisgarh School Madhyanbhojan Rasoiya Sanyukta Sangh represents over 87,600 midday meal cooks.

The PM-POSHAN scheme provides one hot, cooked meal to students up to Class 8 in government and government-aided schools.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Social Justice - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Connects to syllabus topics on poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.

Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on the effectiveness of the scheme.

Visual Insights

Key Statistics from Chhattisgarh Midday Meal Cooks' Protest

Highlights the key figures related to the ongoing protest by midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh, focusing on their honorarium and demands.

Monthly Honorarium: ₹2,000

Location of Protest: Chhattisgarh

Highlights the state of Chhattisgarh where the midday meal cooks are protesting for fair honorarium and job security.

Loading interactive map...

📍Chhattisgarh

More Information

Background

The midday meal scheme, now known as PM-POSHAN, has a long history in India. It originated as a nutritional support program for school children, aiming to improve their health and educational outcomes. The roots can be traced back to initiatives in the early 20th century, but the national program gained prominence in the 1990s. Over the years, the scheme has evolved significantly. Initially, it focused on providing dry rations. Later, it transitioned to cooked meals. The Supreme Court played a crucial role in mandating the provision of cooked meals in all government and government-aided primary schools. This led to increased coverage and improved nutritional content. The legal and constitutional framework supporting the PM-POSHAN scheme includes the National Food Security Act, 2013, which provides a legal entitlement to food security for vulnerable populations. The scheme also aligns with Article 47 of the Constitution, which directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people.

Latest Developments

The PM-POSHAN scheme has seen increased focus on nutritional quality and hygiene in recent years. There's been greater emphasis on fortification of meals with essential micronutrients to address malnutrition. Technology is also being used for monitoring and evaluation, with real-time data collection on meal preparation and distribution.

However, the scheme faces challenges related to funding, infrastructure, and the honorarium of cooks. There are ongoing debates about increasing the central government's contribution to the scheme and ensuring timely payment of wages to cooks and helpers. Stakeholders like state governments, NGOs, and school management committees are involved in these discussions.

Looking ahead, the government aims to expand the coverage of the PM-POSHAN scheme to include pre-primary children in anganwadis. There's also a focus on promoting local food procurement and community participation to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of the program. The goal is to achieve better nutritional outcomes and improve the overall well-being of school children.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key demands of the protesting midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh?

The protesting midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh have three key demands: an increase in their honorarium to match the collector rate, changing all part-time positions to full-time ones, and ensuring no cooks are sacked if schools experience a decrease in student numbers.

Exam Tip

Remember the three demands for Mains answer writing: honorarium, full-time jobs, and job security.

2. What is the PM-POSHAN scheme and what are its objectives?

The PM-POSHAN scheme provides one hot, cooked meal to students up to Class 8 in government and government-aided schools. It aims to improve the nutritional status of school children, encourage enrollment, and increase attendance rates.

Exam Tip

Note that PM-POSHAN covers students up to Class 8. This is a common point for MCQ-based questions.

3. What are the recent developments related to the PM-POSHAN scheme?

Recent developments in the PM-POSHAN scheme include an increased focus on nutritional quality and hygiene. There's a greater emphasis on fortifying meals with essential micronutrients to address malnutrition. Technology is also being used for monitoring and evaluation, with real-time data collection on meal preparation and distribution.

Exam Tip

Focus on keywords like 'fortification' and 'technology' for current affairs updates.

4. What is the financial expense sharing ratio between the Centre and States under the PM-POSHAN scheme?

The expense sharing ratio between the Centre and States under PM-POSHAN is 60:40.

Exam Tip

Remember the 60:40 ratio for Prelims.

5. What are the potential impacts of increasing the honorarium and providing job security to midday meal cooks?

Increasing the honorarium and providing job security to midday meal cooks can improve their living standards and motivation. This can lead to better quality meals for students, contributing to improved nutritional outcomes and potentially boosting school attendance. It also acknowledges the important role these cooks play in the PM-POSHAN scheme.

Exam Tip

Consider this question from an ethical perspective for the interview - fair wages and dignified work.

6. Why are the midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh protesting now?

The midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh are protesting because they are demanding an increase in their current honorarium of ₹2,000 a month, which they find insufficient to cover their basic daily expenses. They are also seeking job security, as they fear being sacked if student numbers in schools decrease.

Exam Tip

Focus on the economic aspect of the protest - low wages and job insecurity.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the PM-POSHAN scheme: 1. It provides one hot, cooked meal to students up to Class 8 in government and government-aided schools. 2. The scheme is rolled out for a five-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. 3. The scheme mandates a minimum honorarium of ₹3,000 per month for midday meal cooks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The PM-POSHAN scheme provides one hot, cooked meal to students up to Class 8 in government and government-aided schools. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The scheme is rolled out for a five-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The news mentions that midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh are protesting for an increase to their honorarium of ₹2,000 a month. The scheme does NOT mandate a minimum honorarium of ₹3,000.

2. Which of the following constitutional provisions is most directly related to the objectives of the PM-POSHAN scheme?

A.Article 21A: Right to Education
B.Article 45: Provision for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years
C.Article 47: Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living
D.Article 39(a): The State shall direct its policy towards securing that the citizens have the right to an adequate means of livelihood

Show Answer

Answer: C

Article 47 of the Constitution directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and to improve public health. The PM-POSHAN scheme directly contributes to achieving this objective by providing nutritious meals to school children.

3. The National Food Security Act, 2013, is related to which of the following?

A.Providing subsidized food grains to a large section of the population
B.Ensuring job security for rural laborers
C.Promoting agricultural exports
D.Regulating food processing industries

Show Answer

Answer: A

The National Food Security Act, 2013, aims to provide subsidized food grains to a large section of the population, ensuring food and nutritional security. It provides a legal entitlement to food for vulnerable populations.