Hyderabad
oi-Ashish Rana
Freshly prepared puris, idlis, dosas and bondas are giving children in Telangana another reason to reach school early. A breakfast programme launched as a pilot in Kodangal in 2024 has now expanded to more government institutions, with officials and school staff reporting improved attendance, punctuality and classroom attention.
Telangana’s free Breakfast Scheme, launched June 15, 2026, provides meals to over 1,44,610 students in 1,269 institutions, expanding from a 2024 Kodangal pilot project. Supported by HKMCF and aiming for 22 lakh students, the initiative reportedly boosts attendance and classroom concentration.
Telangana Breakfast Scheme Expands
The state government began the latest phase of its free breakfast, milk and ragi programme on June 15, 2026. The first phase covers 1,269 government and local-body schools and 33 government junior colleges, reaching 1,44,610 students.
The programme is being implemented with support from organisations including the Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation (HKMCF). The government plans to gradually expand the initiative across government educational institutions, with the larger target expected to cover nearly 22 lakh students.
How The Breakfast Reaches Schools
The model relies on centralised kitchens where food is prepared early in the morning before being transported to schools. HKMCF says its kitchens use automated equipment capable of producing thousands of portions of idli, dosa, puri and bonda, while insulated containers are used to maintain food temperature during distribution.
The initiative grew from the Kodangal pilot, where teachers observed better punctuality and participation. The breakfast also offers working parents some relief, particularly on mornings when children may otherwise leave home without eating.
Students Report Better Concentration
Class 10 student D Shruti from ZPHS Girls School in Kodangal said, “Every day we get breakfast here. They give us different varieties such as puri, aloo and milk.”
Another student, Suchendra Neeli, said, “My friends and I sometimes come to school without having breakfast. But after the launch of this programme recently, we are able to concentrate wholeheartedly.”
HKMCF executive director Krishna Das said the programme had already shown an average 10% increase in attendance in Kodangal, while students were also arriving earlier for breakfast.
Why The Scheme Matters
The programme is intended to address more than hunger. A regular morning meal can help children begin classes with better energy and concentration, while reducing the burden on families to prepare breakfast before school.
The Telangana government has also expanded midday meals to government junior colleges as part of its broader effort to strengthen nutrition support in educational institutions.
For the breakfast scheme, the next challenge is scale. As more kitchens become operational, maintaining food quality, hygiene, timely delivery and consistent nutrition will be crucial to ensuring that the early gains in attendance and classroom engagement continue.
