PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) scheme was started in which year?

NORCET 9 Mains - 2025

General Knowledge

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 9 Mains - 2025

Explanation

The Union Cabinet approved the launch of the PM POShan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme in September 2021.
This scheme replaced the existing National Programme for Mid-Day Meal in Schools (commonly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme).
It is implemented for a five-year period starting from 2021-22.
The scheme aims to provide hot cooked meals to students in Classes I-VIII in government and government-aided schools to improve their nutritional status.

Option A: The PM POSHAN scheme was not launched in 2020. At that time, the school meal program was still operating under the name 'Mid-Day Meal Scheme'.
Option C: 2022 was the year following the launch of the PM POSHAN scheme. The scheme was already operational in 2022, but it was not the start year.
Option D: The PM POSHAN scheme was not launched in 2019. The program was still known as the 'Mid-Day Meal Scheme' during this period.

Visual 1: Infographic: A timeline illustrating the evolution from the National Programme for Mid-Day Meal in Schools (1995) to the PM POSHAN scheme (2021), highlighting the key changes and new components introduced.
Visual 2: Flowchart: A diagram showing the operational structure of the PM POSHAN scheme, from the central government funding to the delivery of hot cooked meals in schools.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Launch year and details of the PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) scheme as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
From a community health nursing perspective, school meal programs like PM POSHAN are critical public health interventions to combat malnutrition, anemia, and stunting in children, which are major health concerns in India.
Nurses working in community settings can collaborate with schools to monitor the nutritional status of children, conduct health check-ups, and provide health education to students, teachers, and parents about the importance of a balanced diet.
The scheme's emphasis on School Nutrition Gardens provides an opportunity for nurses to teach children about growing and consuming fresh, nutritious food.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key subject of the question, which is the 'PM POSHAN' scheme and its start year.
Recognize that this is a factual recall question related to a major government program. Such questions test your knowledge of current affairs and public policy.
Recall that PM POSHAN is a rebranding and enhancement of the older Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
Think about the recent timeline of major government initiatives. The rebranding happened in the post-2019 period.
Systematically evaluate the options. Eliminate years that are too early (2019) or too late (2022) if you recall the approximate timeframe of the launch.
Select 2021 as the correct year when the Union Cabinet approved and launched this new phase of the school meal program.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Launch year and details of the PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) scheme.
Stem keywords: PM POSHAN, Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman, scheme, year
Lead-in keywords: started in which year

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