The Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme is a special welfare programme launched by the Tamil Nadu Government to give free breakfast to government school students. The scheme was officially launched on 15th September 2022 in Madurai, on the birth anniversary of Perarignar Anna. The aim is simple — no child should go to school hungry.
Many children skip breakfast at home due to early school timings or poor financial conditions. This affects their energy, focus, and overall growth. Understanding this issue, the Tamil Nadu Government started this scheme to provide healthy and filling breakfast every school day.
This scheme is run by the Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment and is currently being expanded across Tamil Nadu in phases. In the first phase, over 1.14 lakh students from 1,545 government schools are getting free breakfast. The goal is to cover all government primary schools in the coming years.
Let’s understand the scheme in detail below.
About the Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme
The Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme is a government initiative to offer free breakfast to students studying from Class 1 to Class 5 in government schools. The meals are served every Monday to Friday on all working school days. The menu includes 13 different types of food items like Uppama, Pongal, Kitchadi, Kesari, and more – all prepared with local ingredients and rich in nutrients.
The scheme is designed not just to fill stomachs but to boost student attendance, reduce dropout rates, and improve their health and learning ability.
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Scheme Name | Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme |
| Launched By | Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu |
| Launch Date | 15 September 2022 |
| Managed By | Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment |
| Beneficiaries | Government school students from Class 1 to Class 5 |
| Area Covered | All Government Primary Schools in Tamil Nadu (phased expansion) |
| Frequency | Monday to Friday (All school working days) |
| Cost Allocated (Phase 1) | ₹33.56 Crores |
| Students Covered (Phase 1) | Over 1.14 lakh students |
| Schools Covered (Phase 1) | 1,545 Government Primary Schools |
| Menu Items | 13 different types of dishes |
Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme 2025: Menu
| Sl. No. | Days in a week | Menu type | Detials of Menu |
| 1 | Mondays | Uppama type | Rava Uppama + Vegetable Sambhar/ Vermicelli Uppama + Vegetable Sambhar/ Rice Uppama + Vegetable Sambhar/ Wheat Rava Uppama + Vegetable Sambhar |
| 2 | Tuesdays | Kitchadi Type | Rava Vegetable Kitchadi/ Vermicelli Vegetable Kitchadi/ Sorghum Vegetable Kitchadi/ Wheat Rava Vegetable Kitchadi |
| 3 | Wednesdays | Pongal Type | Rava Pongal + Vegetable Sambhar/ Pongal + Vegetable Sambhar |
| 4 | Thursdays | Uppama Type | Vermicelli Uppama + Vegetable Sambhar/ Rice Uppama + Vegetable Sambhar/ Rava Uppama + Vegetasble Sambhar/ Wheat Rava Uppama + Vegetable Sambhar |
| 5 | Fridays | Sweet type | Sweet Pongal/ Rava Kesari/ Vermicelli Kesari |
Objective
There are key objectives of this scheme:
- To fight malnutrition among school-going children.
- To ensure children do not skip breakfast and attend school regularly.
- To help students focus better in class by providing a morning meal.
- To improve academic performance by starting the day with proper nutrition.
- To increase enrollment and reduce dropout rates in government schools.
Eligibility Criteria
To get benefits under this scheme, a student must:
- Be studying in a government school in Tamil Nadu.
- Be enrolled in Class 1 to Class 5.
- Be a regular school-going student.
- No income limit or caste criteria are applied. The scheme is universal for all eligible students.
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Benefits
- Free and healthy breakfast every school day.
- Balanced meals made with local and millet-based ingredients.
- Around 293 calories, 10g protein, 6g fat, and essential minerals per meal.
- Improved classroom attention, health, and happiness of children.
- Boosts school attendance and enrollment, especially in tribal and backward areas.
- Reduces the burden on poor families to provide breakfast every morning.
Required Documents
There are no documents required to apply for this scheme.
- All students who are enrolled in Tamil Nadu government primary schools (Class 1 to 5) will automatically receive the free breakfast.
How to Apply for the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme
- No online or offline application is needed.
- Students will get breakfast directly in their respective schools.
- The school management ensures the daily distribution of meals.
Contact Details
For any information, suggestions, or complaints, you can contact:
- Department of Social Welfare and Women’s Empowerment
- Government of Tamil Nadu
- Website: https://www.tnsocialwelfare.org
- Dial: 1800-425-0111
You can also approach your school headmaster or local education department officials for help.
FAQs – Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme
What is the Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme?
It is a state government programme to give free breakfast to students of Class 1 to 5 in government schools on all working days.
Who can get free breakfast under this scheme?
All students studying in Tamil Nadu government primary schools (Class 1 to 5) are eligible.
Do I need to apply for the scheme?
No. There’s no need to apply. Breakfast is provided directly in school.
What type of food is given in breakfast?
Items like Uppama, Pongal, Kitchadi, Kesari with vegetables and sambar are served. The menu changes daily.
How does this scheme help students?
It helps students by giving them the energy and nutrition needed to study well and stay active in school.
Is the breakfast really free?
Yes. No money is charged. The food is completely free of cost.
How has the scheme helped schools?
It has increased attendance by around 30% in many schools and helped children stay more alert and focused.