Chicken Biryani in School Mid-Day Meals? CM Vijay Reviews Big Proposal That Could Transform Tamil Nadu’s Lunch Menu

The Tamil Nadu government is considering a major overhaul of its iconic mid-day meal scheme, with a proposal to serve chicken biryani once every week to students studying in government schools.

The proposal, announced by School Education Minister Rajmohan, is currently under review by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who will take the final decision after examining the recommendations submitted by the Education Department.

Weekly Chicken Biryani Proposed for Students

Addressing reporters, Minister Rajmohan said the objective of the proposal is to make school meals both more nutritious and more appealing for children.

According to the minister, a detailed report backed by nutritional data has already been submitted to Chief Minister Vijay for consideration.

If approved, government school students could receive chicken biryani as part of their lunch menu once every week under the state’s flagship nutrition programme.

A Legacy of Expanding School Nutrition

The minister highlighted the long history of Tamil Nadu’s school meal programme, crediting successive governments for strengthening it over the decades.

He noted that the Justice Party first introduced free meals for students before K. Kamaraj expanded the initiative into the state’s mid-day meal scheme.

Later, M. Karunanidhi introduced eggs into the menu to improve children’s nutrition, while M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) transformed it into a comprehensive nutritious meal programme.

Former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa further enhanced the scheme by increasing the number of eggs served to students.

Rajmohan said the proposed addition of chicken biryani would be the next major step in the evolution of the programme.

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Breakfast Menu May Also Get an Upgrade

The proposed changes are not limited to lunch alone.

The Tamil Nadu government is also planning to revamp the school breakfast scheme, with an emphasis on improving both taste and nutritional value.

Currently, the government spends around ₹15 per student on breakfast. Officials are exploring alternatives to frequently served dishes such as wheat upma and rava upma, replacing them with healthier and more diverse meal options.

The aim is to ensure students receive balanced nutrition while making school meals more enjoyable.

Focus on Student Nutrition

Tamil Nadu’s mid-day meal programme has long been regarded as one of the country’s most successful welfare initiatives, helping improve school attendance while addressing child nutrition.

The latest proposal reflects the government’s continued focus on enhancing the quality of meals provided to students.

A final decision on the weekly chicken biryani plan is expected after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay completes his review of the proposal.

If implemented, the move would mark one of the biggest changes to Tamil Nadu’s school meal programme in recent years.