What's On Mid-Day Meal Menu? Karnataka Peels Bananas, Tamil Nadu Plates Biryani, Bengal Cracks Eggs

Published 30 July 2026 · india

What's On Mid-Day Meal Menu? Karnataka Peels Bananas, Tamil Nadu Plates Biryani, Bengal Cracks Eggs Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 10:59 IST In

What's On Mid-Day Meal Menu? Karnataka Peels Bananas, Tamil Nadu Plates Biryani, Bengal Cracks Eggs Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 10:59 IST In Karnataka, rising egg prices forced many government and aided schools to rethink their nutrition plans under the PM Poshan Scheme. A single national school nutrition programme is increasingly taking different shapes across India. India’s flagship mid-day meal programme, designed to improve nutrition and classroom attendance for millions of schoolchildren, is witnessing sharply different approaches across states. While Karnataka is struggling to afford eggs because of soaring prices, Tamil Nadu is considering serving chicken biryani once a week and West Bengal has attempted to end a row over eggs by splitting meal responsibilities between ISKCON and self-help groups. Karnataka’s Egg Dilemma In Karnataka, rising egg prices forced many government and aided schools to rethink their nutrition plans under the PM Poshan Scheme.

The state currently allocates Rs 5 per egg and Re 1 for logistics, but with market prices climbing to Rs 8-9 per egg, schools said that they can no longer procure eggs within the sanctioned budget. As a result, several schools have begun replacing eggs with bananas, while others have switched to alternate-day egg distribution. In parts of Mysuru, some schools have temporarily stopped serving eggs altogether. Teachers and School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) reportedly stepped in to bridge the funding gap, with some even contributing from their own pockets to ensure children continue receiving eggs. The Karnataka government sought approval to increase the allocation to Rs 8 per egg, with a decision expected after a review by the finance department. Tamil Nadu Wants To Add Chicken Biryani While Karnataka is battling rising costs, neighbouring Tamil Nadu is looking to expand its school menu.

State School Education Minister Rajmohan proposed serving chicken biryani once every week under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and has submitted the idea to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for consideration. Calling it the next step in Tamil Nadu’s long history of strengthening school nutrition, the minister noted that successive governments had progressively expanded the scheme-from K. Kamaraj introducing mid-day meals to M. Karunanidhi adding eggs, M.G. Ramachandran transforming it into the Nutritious Meal Programme, Jayalalithaa increasing the frequency of egg distribution. The government is also considering revamping the breakfast menu by replacing repetitive dishes such as wheat and rava upma with more nutritious alternatives. No final decision has been taken on the biryani proposal. West Bengal’s Egg Formula West Bengal, meanwhile, adopted a different approach after controversy erupted over allegations that eggs were being excluded from school meals in Kolkata. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that, beginning August 1 on a pilot basis, ISKCON will provide satvik, protein-rich mid-day meals, while eggs will be supplied separately through self-help groups (SHGs).