Health

Bihar Midday Meal Timeline: From the 2013 Tragedy to 2026

On 18 August 2026, children at a government school in Nalanda district, Bihar, reportedly fell ill after their midday meal; parents and the school's headmaster…

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SCHEME LAUNCHED

National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education Begins

The Indian government launched a national school-feeding programme in August 1995, aimed at improving enrolment, attendance and nutrition together. It later became widel…

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SUPREME COURT MANDATE

Supreme Court Orders Cooked Midday Meals in Every Government School

In November 2001, hearing PUCL v. Union of India, the Supreme Court ordered every state to provide a cooked midday meal rather than dry rations, converting a discretiona…

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GANDAMAN TRAGEDY

23 Children Die After Pesticide-Contaminated Midday Meal in Saran District

On 16 July 2013, children at a primary school in Gandaman, Mashrakh block, Saran district, ate a midday meal cooked in oil later confirmed by forensic testing to contain…

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NATIONAL SAFETY GUIDELINES

Government Finalises Food Safety and Hygiene Guidelines for School Kitchens

On 13 February 2015, the Ministry announced new national guidelines requiring a teacher to taste every meal before serving and log it in a signed register, and requiring…

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CRIMINAL CONVICTION

Headmistress Meena Devi Convicted Over the Gandaman Deaths

In August 2016, an Additional District Judge's court in Chhapra convicted headmistress Meena Devi of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and attempt to commit culp…

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PM POSHAN LAUNCHED

Mid-Day Meal Scheme Restructured as PM POSHAN

On 29 September 2021, the Union Cabinet approved restructuring the Mid-Day Meal Scheme into PM POSHAN, extending coverage to pre-primary children and adding nutritional-…

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WEST CHAMPARAN WARNING

184 Students Fall Ill; NHRC Cites the Same Tasting Rule Ignored in 2013

On 5 February 2024, 184 students at a government school reported their midday meal smelled of kerosene, along with stomach ache and vomiting. NHRC issued a notice to Bih…

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SAHARSA INCIDENT

150–189+ Students Ill After Alleged Snake in Food; Patna High Court Orders SIT

On 7 May 2026, students at schools fed by a centralised NGO kitchen fell ill; a dead snake was allegedly found in the food. Reported figures ranged from 150 to over 250;…

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NALANDA — MAY

About 60 Students Ill; NHRC Issues Suo Motu Notice to Nalanda DM

On 21 May 2026, around 60 students at a Nalanda district school reportedly fell ill after their midday meal. NHRC took suo motu cognizance, issuing a notice to the Nalan…

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NALANDA DETERGENT ALLEGATION

Children Ill After Alleged Detergent-for-Salt Mix-Up in Nalanda

On 18 August 2026, children at a Nalanda district government school fell ill after their midday meal. The school's headmaster and locals allege a cook mistook detergent…

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