Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme expands to Classes VI-VIII, to cover 34.64 lakh students
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme is set to nearly double its reach — from 19.34 lakh to 34.64 lakh students — as CM C. Joseph Vijay extends it to Classes VI-VIII from 22 September. The ₹217.63 crore expansion, originally planned on Periyar's birth anniversary, was delayed by Vijay's London investment trip, but now covers 44,984 schools statewide.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay launches the expanded Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme on 22 September 2026 in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai .
The scheme now covers Classes VI to VIII , adding 15.30 lakh new beneficiaries.
Total coverage rises to 34.64 lakh students across 44,984 government and government-aided schools.
The state has allocated an additional ₹217.63 crore for the expanded programme.
The launch excludes Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts due to ongoing by-elections in Madurantakam and Dharapuram .
The scheme was originally introduced in 2022 by then CM M.K.
Stalin for Classes I to V.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, formally launch the expanded Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme at the Greater Chennai Corporation Middle School in Gandhigram, Thiruvanmiyur, extending the flagship nutrition programme to students of Classes VI, VII, and VIII for the first time. The expansion will bring an additional 15.30 lakh students into the scheme, taking total beneficiaries to 34.64 lakh across 44,984 government and government-aided schools statewide.
Scale of the Expansion
Before this rollout, the scheme covered 19.34 lakh students in 37,447 schools — limited to Classes I to V. By bringing in middle-school students, the Tamil Nadu government has nearly doubled the programme's reach. The state has allocated an additional ₹217.63 crore to fund the extended coverage. Preparations were under way across the state on Monday, with workers cooking breakfast in schools ahead of the inauguration.
Origins and Renaming of the Scheme
The breakfast programme was originally introduced in 2022 by then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, targeting Classes I to V in government schools to address child malnutrition, reduce dropout rates, and improve attendance. It was later extended to government-aided schools as well. After the TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) government assumed office, the scheme was renamed the Chief Minister Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme, honouring the legacy of the late Congress stalwart Kamaraj.
Why the Launch Was Postponed
The launch had originally been scheduled for 17 September, coinciding with the birth anniversary of social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. It was, however, postponed because Chief Minister Vijay was in London on an investment-attraction mission for Tamil Nadu. The rescheduled date of 22 September coincides with routine school hours, ensuring a smooth statewide rollout.
Where It Will Not Apply Yet
The scheme will be implemented across Tamil Nadu from Tuesday, with two exceptions — Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts are excluded for now, as by-elections are under way in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies respectively. The exclusion is temporary and linked to election-period restrictions.
What Students Will Be Served
A prescribed weekly menu has been finalised: upma on Mondays, khichdi on Tuesdays, pongal on Wednesdays, upma again on Thursdays, and a sweet dish on Fridays. School authorities and food preparation workers have been directed to ensure hygiene standards and timely service. Officials expect the expanded coverage to improve nutrition, attendance, and learning outcomes — particularly for students from economically weaker households.
Point of View
Renaming and scaling it rather than replacing it — a pragmatic continuity that signals the TVK government's comfort with the DMK's social policy legacy. The ₹217.63 crore additional outlay is modest relative to the scale, and the real test will be whether food quality and hygiene hold up as the programme nearly doubles in size overnight. Notably, the two excluded districts — both under election watch — underscore how closely welfare delivery and electoral politics are intertwined in Tamil Nadu.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme in Tamil Nadu?
The Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme is a state government programme that provides free breakfast to students in Tamil Nadu's government and government-aided schools. Originally launched in 2022 by then CM M.K. Stalin for Classes I to V, it has been renamed and expanded by the current TVK government under CM C. Joseph Vijay.
Who benefits from the latest expansion of the breakfast scheme?
Students of Classes VI, VII, and VIII in government and government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu will now be covered, adding 15.30 lakh new beneficiaries. Total coverage rises to 34.64 lakh students in 44,984 schools.
How much has the Tamil Nadu government allocated for the expanded scheme?
The state government has allocated an additional ₹217.63 crore specifically for the extension of the scheme to Classes VI to VIII, over and above the existing programme budget.
Why was the launch delayed from 17 September to 22 September 2026?
The launch was originally scheduled for 17 September to mark the birth anniversary of social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, but was postponed because Chief Minister Vijay was in London on an industrial investment mission for Tamil Nadu.
Which districts are excluded from the 22 September launch, and why?
Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts are temporarily excluded because by-elections are being held in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies respectively. The scheme will be extended to these districts once the election period concludes.
