The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme was started by M.K. Stalin in Tamil Nadu. It was first launched in Madurai in 2022 as a pilot. Then it was extended to all government schools in 2023. Later, it was expanded to government-aided schools in rural areas in 2024. Now, from August 26, 2025, it has started in urban aided schools. Every morning, breakfast is served to students in classes 1 to 5. Attendance is increased and learning is improved by this scheme. Children’s health is improved, and hospital admissions are reduced. More than 23 lakh students have benefited till now.
Objective of Tamil Nadu CM Breakfast Scheme
The main objective of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme is to help children in schools. Breakfast is given every morning to students in classes 1 to 5. Attendance is improved, and learning is made better by this scheme. The health of children is checked, and many sicknesses are reduced. Special care is given to poor, rural, and tribal children. Habits of eating properly are taught. More children are coming to school and feeling happy. Focus on studies increases, and lessons are remembered well.
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Key Details of Tamil Nadu CM Breakfast Scheme
| Name of the Scheme | Tamil Nadu CM Breakfast Scheme |
| Launched by | M.K. Stalin, Tamil Nadu CM |
| Started in | Madurai, September 2022 |
| Objective | To help children with breakfast daily |
| Schools covered | Government and aided schools |
| Students covered | Classes 1 to 5 |
| Expansion | Rural first, now urban areas |
| Beneficiaries | More than 23 lakh students |
| Health impact | Sicknesses reduced in schools |
| Attendance | Increased in schools regularly |
| Budget | Rs. 600.25 crore for 2025-26 |
Eligibility Criteria
The children who can get breakfast in the scheme are selected like this:
- Students of classes 1 to 5 are included and their schools are selected by the government.
- Both government and government-aided school children are covered under this scheme.
- Special care is given to poor and rural children so they can attend school regularly.
- Children in urban aided schools are now also included from 2025.
- Students from tribal and remote areas are identified and included in the programme.
- Health and nutrition needs of the children are checked before breakfast is served.
- Attendance is encouraged and learning is supported for all students through this scheme.
Benefits
The benefits of the scheme, that children get from the breakfast scheme are like this:
- Attendance is increased and children are encouraged to come school regularly.
- Learning is improved and lessons are remembered better by students.
- Health of children is improved and sicknesses are reduced in schools.
- Good eating habits are taught and social skills are developed among children.
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Required Documents
The documents needed to get benefits from the scheme are mentioned below:
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card
- School ID or admission proof
- Proof of residence
- Income certificate (if applicable)
Important Dates
- Scheme first launched in Madurai as a pilot: September 2022
- Expanded to government schools in corporation and municipality areas: March 2023
- Extended to all government primary schools in the state: August 2023
- Rolled out to government-aided schools in rural areas: July 2024
- Expansion to urban government-aided schools inaugurated at Mylapore, Chennai: August 26, 2025
Salient Features
The special features of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme are as follows:
- Breakfast is served every morning in schools and it is fully monitored by teachers.
- Poor and rural children are specially selected and included in the programme.
- Tribal and remote areas are covered and schools are reached by government support.
- Budget is allotted and the scheme is run by the state to help as many children.
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Application Process
To apply for the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, follow these steps as are mentioned below:
- Step 1: The application is filled out by the school on behalf of the students so that every child can be included and get breakfast every morning without missing.
- Step 2: All required documents are collected from the students and carefully checked by the school authorities before they are sent to the government for verification and approval.
- Step 3: Complete details of the students, including class, age, and residence, are recorded and entered into the government system to make sure no eligible child is left out.
- Step 4: After all checks are done, approval is given by the official,s and breakfast is started regularly for all eligible children in the school so that their attendance and health are improved.
Helpline
- Phone No: 9150056807
- Email Id: srcwTamilNadu[at]gmail[dot]com
FAQs
What is the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme?
It is a scheme started by M.K. Stalin to provide a daily nutritious breakfast to students of classes 1 to 5 in government and aided schools.
Who can get benefits from this scheme?
Students of classes 1 to 5 studying in government and government-aided schools, including poor, rural, tribal, and urban aided children, are eligible for benefits.
What is the main objective of the scheme?
The scheme aims to improve children’s attendance, health, nutrition, learning, and focus in schools while encouraging them to come regularly every morning without missing.
Which schools are covered under this scheme?
All government primary schools and government-aided primary schools in rural and urban areas are covered under the scheme so that maximum children are benefited.
What are the benefits of this scheme?
The scheme helps in increasing attendance, improving learning, reducing sickness, teaching good eating habits, and making children healthy, active, and more focused in class.