Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme Expanded for Classes 6–8

Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme has been expanded in Tamil Nadu to cover students studying in Classes 6 to 8 in government and government-aided schools. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the expanded scheme at the Government Middle School in Gandhi Gramam, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

The expansion marks a significant extension of the state's school breakfast programme, which was earlier available to younger students. Under the latest expansion, around 15.30 lakh additional students studying in Classes 6 to 8 across 15,454 government and government-aided schools are expected to benefit from the programme.

Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme Expansion

The Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme has been designed to provide morning meals to school students and support their nutritional needs. The programme was initially introduced in 2022 and was subsequently extended to government-aided schools.

The latest expansion takes the breakfast programme to students in Classes 6, 7 and 8. According to reports, the initiative is being implemented across Tamil Nadu, with the expansion involving thousands of schools and a large number of middle-school students.

The state government has allocated an additional ₹217.63 crore during the current financial year for the expansion. This takes the overall allocation for the breakfast programme to ₹724 crore.

CM C. Joseph Vijay Launches Scheme in Chennai

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay formally launched the expanded Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme at the Government Middle School in Gandhi Gramam, Thiruvanmiyur.

During the launch programme, the Chief Minister served breakfast to students and subsequently sat with them to have the meal. He also visited classrooms and interacted with students at the school. Reports said that the Chief Minister enquired about the food being served and the arrangements made for the implementation of the expanded programme.

The launch event in Chennai marked the beginning of the expanded programme for middle-school students across the state, subject to the rollout arrangements in individual districts.

Around 15.30 Lakh Additional Students to Benefit

One of the key features of the expansion is its scale. The Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme will bring approximately 15.30 lakh additional students under the programme.

The expansion covers around 15,454 government and government-aided schools where students from Classes 6 to 8 will receive the breakfast benefit. The initiative is intended to ensure that students begin their school day with access to a morning meal.

The programme's expansion is also linked to broader objectives concerning students' nutrition, school attendance and ability to concentrate on their studies. Previous reporting on the breakfast programme has highlighted these objectives as part of the rationale for providing morning meals to schoolchildren.