The Telangana government has rolled out a nutritious breakfast scheme for students in government schools with the start of the 2026-27 academic year. The initiative is aimed at improving students’ health, attendance, punctuality and overall academic performance through better nutrition.
Announced in the State Budget 2026-27, the programme forms part of the state’s efforts to strengthen public education and enhance student welfare.
In the first phase, the breakfast scheme will be implemented in 1,269 government and local body schools and 33 government junior colleges across Telangana. Nearly 1.44 lakh students, from pre-primary classes to the intermediate level, are expected to benefit from the initiative.
The government plans to use the programme to improve student participation in classrooms while supporting their overall physical and cognitive development.
Under the scheme, students will receive nutritious breakfasts every school day. The menu includes milk on three days each week and ragi malt on the remaining three days, along with other breakfast items designed to provide balanced nutrition.
Officials believe that regular access to healthy meals will help address malnutrition, improve concentration in classrooms and reduce absenteeism among students.
Along with launching the breakfast programme, the Telangana government has expanded the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to include students studying in government junior colleges. The move extends nutritional support to higher secondary students and aims to improve their overall well-being and educational outcomes.
The breakfast scheme reflects Telangana’s broader approach to strengthening school education through integrated measures that combine nutrition, access and quality learning. According to state officials, ensuring that students begin their day with a nutritious meal is expected to improve academic performance, encourage regular attendance and reduce dropout rates.
The programme was launched as schools across Telangana reopened after the summer vacation, marking the beginning of the new academic session with a renewed focus on student health and educational development.
