Telangana Launches Breakfast Scheme for Intermediate Students

In a first of its kind initiative in the country, the Telangana government is preparing to provide both breakfast and lunch to intermediate students studying in government and aided colleges. The scheme will officially begin from June 12 with an annual expenditure of nearly Rs 180 crore.

The new programme is being introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy with the aim of ensuring students receive healthy and nutritious food during a crucial stage of their education. Officials said the menu has been designed carefully to support the physical and mental growth of teenagers between 15 and 18 years of age.

Students will be served different breakfast varieties including dosa, poori, millet idli, bonda and upma along with chutney, sambar and mixed vegetable kurma. The government believes nutritious meals will help improve concentration levels and overall academic performance.

Unlike school students who already receive midday meals, intermediate college students in most states do not have access to such welfare schemes. Telangana has now decided to extend meal support to college students as well, becoming the first state in the country to implement both breakfast and lunch programmes for intermediate education.

Officials observed that many students from villages, tribal hamlets and remote rural areas travel long distances to attend junior colleges located in towns and mandal headquarters. Due to early travel schedules and poor financial conditions, many students either skip breakfast or attend classes on an empty stomach.

The government noted that a large number of students studying in government and aided colleges belong to economically weaker sections including SC, ST, minority and backward communities. Financial hardships often force students to discontinue education after Class 10 and take up work to support their families.

To address this issue, the state government has decided to encourage every student completing Class 10 to continue education until intermediate level without dropping out due to hunger or poverty related challenges.

The meal programme has been designed according to recommendations from the National Institute of Nutrition. Officials said adolescents require proper calories, protein and essential nutrients during this stage of life. The scheme is expected to help students overcome nutritional deficiencies, vitamin shortages and iron deficiency related health problems.

The Telangana government believes the initiative will not only improve student health but also strengthen attendance, educational continuity and long term academic outcomes across the state.