Bhubaneswar, July 1 -- In a major welfare boost for school education, the Odisha Government on Wednesday approved the expansion of its flagship nutrition programme, ensuring free Mid-Day Meals (MDM) for Class IX and X students in government and government-aided secondary schools under the Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana (MMPY).

Launched on April 1, 2025, the scheme aims to improve student nutrition, attendance, retention, and learning outcomes among adolescents across the state.

Massive expansion in coverage:

According to official data, the programme is designed to benefit nearly 57.41 lakh secondary school students over a five-year period (2025-2030). The government has estimated an overall expenditure of Rs 4,224.46 crore for implementing...