Move Comes Weeks After PM Modi Highlighted Growing Concerns Over Obesity in Children
The central government has issued an advisory to states and Union Territories (UTs) to reduce cooking oil usage by 10% in school meals provided under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme. The directive aims to promote healthier eating habits among students amid rising concerns over childhood obesity.
The advisory, issued by Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, urges school authorities and education departments to create awareness among students regarding the benefits of consuming less oil. It also recommends organizing informative sessions with nutrition experts, quiz competitions on healthy eating habits, and encouraging regular exercise and yoga to promote a healthier lifestyle.
PM Modi’s Concern Over Childhood Obesity
This move comes just weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns about childhood obesity in his Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) 2025 event on February 10 and in his Mann Ki Baat address on February 23. In PPC 2025, PM Modi advised children to chew their food at least 32 times before swallowing, consume seasonal fruits, and avoid junk food. During Mann Ki Baat, he cited a study highlighting that childhood obesity cases have increased fourfold in recent years and suggested reducing edible oil consumption by 10% as a preventive measure.
Issuing the advisory, Sanjay Kumar emphasized that childhood obesity is a growing concern and that schools play a crucial role in shaping children’s eating habits. “There is an urgent need to educate students about the negative impact of excessive oil consumption and its link to obesity. The PM POSHAN scheme provides an excellent opportunity to instill healthy dietary habits by promoting fresh, nutritious, and low-oil meals,” he stated.
PM POSHAN Scheme and Budget Allocation
Previously known as the mid-day meal scheme, PM POSHAN is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) designed to provide nutritious meals to students from Bal-Vatika (pre-primary) to Class VIII in government and government-aided schools. The funding for the scheme is shared in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and state governments.
In the 2025-26 Union Budget, the PM POSHAN scheme received ₹12,500 crore, a slight increase from the ₹12,467.39 crore allocated in the previous financial year.
Government’s Call for Action
The government has urged all stakeholders, including schools, parents, and community members, to actively participate in promoting healthier food habits among children. By implementing these measures, the Centre aims to curb the rising trend of childhood obesity and instill long-term healthy eating practices among students.
With childhood obesity becoming a serious health concern, the government’s move to cut down on cooking oil in school meals is seen as a proactive step toward ensuring a healthier future for students across India.
Sources By Agencies