The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme 2026 is an important welfare initiative of the Tamil Nadu Government aimed at improving the health, nutrition and educational development of schoolchildren. Under this scheme, students studying in eligible government and government-aided schools receive free breakfast on school working days.
The scheme was originally launched in September 2022 to ensure that children do not attend school on an empty stomach. It aims to reduce hunger, improve nutritional status, increase school attendance and help students concentrate better on their studies.
In 2026, the scheme was expanded to cover students from Classes 6 to 8. It is now known as the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme.
If you want to know about the latest scheme updates, eligibility criteria, food menu, benefits and how students can receive free breakfast, read this complete article.
Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme |
| Former Name | Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme |
| Launched By | Tamil Nadu Government |
| Launch Date | 15 September 2022 |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible School Students |
| Classes Covered | Classes 1 to 8 |
| Main Benefit | Free Nutritious Breakfast |
| Benefit Frequency | Every School Working Day |
| Implementing Department | Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department |
| Implementing Agencies | Local Bodies and Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women |
| Application Mode | No Individual Application Required |
| Official Website | https://www.tnsocialwelfare.tn.gov.in/ |
What is the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme?
The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme is a school nutrition programme introduced by the Tamil Nadu Government in September 2022.
The main objective is to provide nutritious and freshly prepared breakfast to schoolchildren so that they can begin their school day with sufficient energy.
Initially, the scheme was introduced for students studying in Classes 1 to 5 in government primary schools. Later, it was expanded to include eligible government-aided primary schools.
In September 2026, the government further expanded the programme to cover students studying in Classes 6 to 8 in government and government-aided schools.
The scheme was also renamed the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme in honour of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.
Under the programme, children receive breakfast at their schools without paying any fees.
Latest Update on Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme 2026
<text color=”success” weight=”semibold”>Major Expansion – September 2026</text>
The Tamil Nadu Government officially expanded the breakfast programme to students studying in Classes 6 to 8 on 22 September 2026.
Important details of the expansion include:
- An additional 15.30 lakh students are expected to benefit.
- The expansion covers 7,537 additional government and government-aided schools.
- The programme now covers students from Classes 1 to 8.
- An additional ₹217.63 crore was allocated for the expansion.
- The total scheme allocation was increased to ₹724 crore.
- Breakfast preparation and distribution are organised through local bodies and Self-Help Groups, depending on the area.
This expansion aims to improve children’s nutrition and educational participation across Tamil Nadu.
Objectives of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme
The Tamil Nadu Government introduced this scheme with several important objectives:
- To provide nutritious breakfast to schoolchildren.
- To reduce hunger and malnutrition among students.
- To improve school attendance.
- To help children concentrate better in classrooms.
- To encourage students to continue their education.
- To improve children’s physical and mental development.
- To reduce the nutritional burden on economically weaker families.
- To create healthy eating habits among schoolchildren.
Benefits of Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme 2026
The scheme provides several benefits to eligible schoolchildren.
1. Free Breakfast Every School Day
Students receive freshly prepared breakfast free of cost on school working days.
2. Improved Nutrition
The meals are designed to provide energy, protein and essential nutrients required for children’s growth and development.
3. Better School Attendance
Providing breakfast at school encourages children to attend classes regularly.
4. Improved Concentration
Children who receive nutritious breakfast may find it easier to concentrate and participate in classroom activities.
5. Support for Poor Families
The programme reduces the financial burden on families by providing one nutritious meal every school day.
6. Healthy Food Habits
Students are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits through a variety of nutritious meals.
7. Support for Educational Development
The scheme aims to create a healthier learning environment and improve children’s overall educational experience.
Eligibility Criteria for Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme
Students must meet the following general eligibility conditions to receive breakfast under the scheme:
- The student must be studying in an eligible school in Tamil Nadu.
- Students from Classes 1 to 5 are covered under the primary school component.
- Students from Classes 6 to 8 are covered under the expanded middle school component.
- The school must be covered under the government-approved scheme.
- Students must attend the participating school to receive breakfast.
Important: The scheme does not require any family income certificate or caste certificate for individual registration. Coverage depends on the school’s eligibility under the programme.
Classes Covered Under the Scheme
Following the September 2026 expansion, the scheme covers the following classes:
| Class | Breakfast Benefit |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | Free Breakfast |
| Class 2 | Free Breakfast |
| Class 3 | Free Breakfast |
| Class 4 | Free Breakfast |
| Class 5 | Free Breakfast |
| Class 6 | Free Breakfast |
| Class 7 | Free Breakfast |
| Class 8 | Free Breakfast |
The breakfast is provided at participating government and government-aided schools according to the applicable implementation guidelines.
Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme Menu
The government provides a rotating menu of nutritious breakfast items to students.
Some of the food items included in the menu are:
- Vegetable Upma
- Rava Upma
- Vegetable Kichadi
- Rava Kichadi
- Pongal
- Rava Kesari
- Semiya Kesari
- Locally available millets and other approved food items.
The menu may vary according to the day, region and availability of local ingredients.
The scheme’s nutritional guidelines aim to provide approximately 293.40 calories of energy and 9.85 grams of protein per child per day under the prescribed meal plan.
Documents Required for Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme
One of the important features of this programme is that parents do not need to submit a separate application for their children.
Generally, the following documents are not required for individual registration:
- Aadhaar Card
- Income Certificate
- Caste Certificate
- Bank Passbook
- Separate Scholarship Application
- Individual Online Registration Form
Students receive breakfast through their participating schools.
Parents may need to provide ordinary school admission or student information if requested by the school for its records.
How to Apply for Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme 2026?
There is no separate online or offline application process for parents or students.
Eligible students receive breakfast directly at their participating schools.
Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Enrol your child in an eligible government or government-aided school in Tamil Nadu.
Step 2: Confirm whether the school is covered under the breakfast programme.
Step 3: Contact the school headmaster or concerned teacher for information about breakfast timings.
Step 4: Send your child to school regularly on working days.
Step 5: Your child can receive the prescribed breakfast at school without paying any charges.
Note: No agent or middleman is required to receive benefits under this scheme.
How Is the Breakfast Scheme Implemented?
The Tamil Nadu Government has established different arrangements for preparing and distributing breakfast.
Urban Areas: In several urban locations, food is prepared in centralised kitchens and transported to participating schools.
Rural Areas: Breakfast is prepared at school-level kitchen facilities, with the participation of Self-Help Groups and other designated local organisations.
Monitoring System: The government uses digital monitoring systems to supervise food preparation, transportation and distribution.
The Chief Minister Morning Breakfast Scheme application and monitoring system is also used by concerned authorities to track implementation activities.
Important Points About the Scheme
- Breakfast is provided free of cost.
- The scheme is intended for students in eligible participating schools.
- Breakfast is served on school working days.
- No individual online application is required.
- Parents do not need to pay any registration fee.
- The menu follows government nutritional guidelines.
- The programme aims to improve nutrition, attendance and classroom participation.
Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme 2026 – Important Links
| Description | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu Government Website | https://www.tn.gov.in/ |
| Social Welfare Department | https://www.tnsocialwelfare.tn.gov.in/ |
| Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women | https://tncdw.org/ |
| Government Breakfast Scheme Guidelines | https://tncdw.org/frontend/guideline/CMBFS_SOP_Village_and_Town_Panchayat_MD_EDited_final__20.04.2023_at_5.00pm.pdf |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme?
Answer: It is a Tamil Nadu Government welfare scheme that provides free nutritious breakfast to eligible schoolchildren on school working days.
Q2. When was the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme launched?
Answer: The scheme was launched on 15 September 2022 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Q3. Which students are eligible for the scheme?
Answer: Students studying in Classes 1 to 8 in eligible government and government-aided schools in Tamil Nadu are covered under the expanded programme.
Q4. Is breakfast provided free of cost?
Answer: Yes. Students receive breakfast free of cost at participating schools.
Q5. What is the new name of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme?
Answer: The scheme was renamed the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme in honour of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.
Q6. When was the scheme expanded to Classes 6 to 8?
Answer: The expansion was officially launched on 22 September 2026.
Q7. Do parents need to apply online?
Answer: No. There is no separate individual application process. Eligible students receive breakfast through their participating schools.
Q8. What food is provided under the scheme?
Answer: Students receive nutritious meals such as upma, kichadi, pongal and approved sweet varieties, according to the rotating menu.
Q9. Is an income certificate required?
Answer: No. An income certificate is not required for individual participation in the breakfast programme.
Q10. What is the official website of the scheme?
Answer: Parents can visit the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department website at https://www.tnsocialwelfare.tn.gov.in/.
Conclusion
The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme 2026, now known as the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme, is an important initiative by the Tamil Nadu Government to improve children’s health, nutrition and educational development.
By providing free breakfast to students from Classes 1 to 8 in eligible schools, the government is helping children begin their school day with nutritious food and better learning opportunities.
Parents should contact their children’s schools to confirm participation and breakfast arrangements under the scheme.
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