Idli-sambar coming to Delhi govt schools under revised PM-POSHAN menu

Delhi's Directorate of Education has revised the PM-POSHAN menu for government and aided schools. The change brings stricter timelines, nutrition compliance and idli with sambar within two weeks.The revised menu replaces some existing items, including ragi halwa and vegetable dalia.Idli with sambar will soon be served to students in Delhi government and government-aided schools under a revised PM-POSHAN menu, with the Directorate of Education asking schools and implementing agencies to complete preparations by August 24. Most changes in the new six-day menu will take effect immediately, while idli with sambar has been given a two-week transition period.The revised menu replaces some existing items, including ragi halwa and vegetable dalia. The Directorate said the changes were recommended by the Meal Review Committee after it reviewed the weekly menu, meal coverage, stakeholder feedback and implementation experience.According to the order issued by the Directorate of Education on Monday, the new six-day menu includes poori with black chana gravy and mashed vegetables on Day 1, idli with sambar on Day 2, rice with chhole and mashed vegetables on Day 3, poori with chhole and mashed vegetables on Day 4, rice with dal on Day 5, and rice with kadhi on Day 6. The committee has also recommended replacing ragi halwa with wheat flour and chana masala, and vegetable daliya with jowar and bajra.The order said the revised menu for Day 1 and Days 3 to 6 would come into effect immediately. Empanelled NGOs and centralised kitchen agencies have been given a maximum of two weeks to start serving idli with sambar, as its preparation requires specific equipment, specialised ingredients, dedicated infrastructure and trained manpower. Agencies have been directed to ensure that idli with sambar is served no later than August 24, and the order said no further extension would ordinarily be granted beyond the two-week period. The Directorate clarified that NGOs or centralised kitchen agencies do not need to serve the same food item in every school on a particular day. Depending on the availability of ingredients, logistical constraints and other operational requirements, an implementing agency may serve different approved menu items in different schools on the same day. However, all six menu days must be followed in every school.The revised menu will apply across all government and government-aided schools covered under the PM-POSHAN scheme under the Directorate of Education. Implementing agencies have been directed to follow nutritional norms under PM-POSHAN guidelines, FSSAI food safety and hygiene standards, food safety protocols and quality parameters prescribed by the Directorate. The order said agencies found violating the revised menu, timelines or quality norms may face action under the terms of their empanelment agreements and applicable rules.Zonal and district education officers will monitor and verify compliance, while meal review inspections and random food sampling will continue to assess the quality and nutritional adequacy of meals.Implementing agencies will have to submit a compliance report within three days of completing implementation, including the start of idli with sambar service, while zonal and district education officers will submit field verification reports within a week after the two-week implementation period ends.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 11, 2026 22:41 IST