Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will on 22 September 2026 formally launch the expanded Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme, extending free morning meals to students of Classes 6, 7, and 8 across government and government-aided schools in the state — bringing an additional 15.30 lakh children under its ambit. The inauguration will be held at the Government Middle School in Gandhi Gramam, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.

What the Expansion Covers

Under the widened programme, roughly 15.30 lakh students across approximately 15,454 government and government-aided middle schools in Tamil Nadu will become eligible for a free breakfast on school days. The state government has allocated an additional ₹217.63 crore for the current financial year to fund the extension, taking the scheme's total annual outlay to ₹724 crore.

Chief Minister Vijay will personally serve breakfast to students during the launch ceremony. The Greater Chennai Corporation and the Social Welfare Department are co-ordinating arrangements for the event.

Background and Origins of the Scheme

The Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Breakfast Scheme was originally introduced for primary school students in Classes 1 to 5 in government schools, with the aim of ensuring children do not attend class on an empty stomach. The initiative has been credited with improving attendance, concentration, and overall participation in learning. The current expansion is the first to cover upper-primary grades.

Announcing the extension earlier, Vijay had stated that the scheme would specifically benefit students from poor and middle-income families, providing nutritional support during a critical phase of schooling. The government has argued the move will help reduce dropout risk linked to economic hardship.

A Venue Change and a Statewide Rollout

The launch location changed at least twice during the planning stage. The expanded scheme was initially proposed to be inaugurated in Virudhunagar, then in Perambur, before the Chief Minister's office confirmed Thiruvanmiyur as the final venue. Despite the logistical adjustments, officials say the statewide rollout across all eligible schools is on track from 22 September.

Why It Matters for Families and Schools

Parents of government school students have reportedly welcomed the move, describing it as practical relief for households navigating rising daily expenses. Officials stated the broader coverage will reinforce the government's efforts to address classroom hunger and promote equitable educational outcomes across social and economic groups.

With this expansion, Tamil Nadu's school breakfast programme becomes one of the largest of its kind in India at the middle-school level, and sets a benchmark that other states may be watching closely as they weigh similar welfare-linked education interventions.