‘The Cooked Midday Meal Programme’ was introduced for the first time by

Correct option is D

Tamil Nadu was the first state in India to introduce the Cooked Midday Meal Programme in 1956.
This initiative aimed to provide nutritious meals to schoolchildren, improving both their health and
attendance. The program was later expanded and became a model for the national Midday Meal Scheme,
which was officially launched in 1995.
Information Booster:
· The program was pioneered under the leadership of K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
· The main objectives were to reduce hunger, increase school enrollment, and improve nutrition among children.
· Tamil Nadu remains a leader in effectively implementing the scheme.
· The scheme was later adopted nationally as part of efforts to achieve universal primary education.
· Provides hot, cooked meals to children in government and government-aided schools.
Additional Knowledge:
· Uttar Pradesh: Implemented the Midday Meal Scheme later as part of the national program but was not the pioneer.
· Odisha: Known for its initiatives in food security but introduced the scheme much later.
· Andhra Pradesh: Also a participant in the national scheme but not the originator.