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Centre extends Samagra Shiksha and PM Poshan till September 30, 2026
The Centre granted a temporary extension to two education schemes, Samagra Shiksha and PM Poshan, until September 30, 2026, while awaiting five-year renewal for 2026-27 to 2030-31. The term of the schemes ended on March 31, 2026, and a letter to Punjab signaled the extension. The MoE instructed states to prepare budgets and ordered a review of pending civil works.
Why It Matters
The extension ensures uninterrupted education and nutrition support for millions of students while longer-term renewal decisions are finalized.
Timeline
6 Events
Budget 2025-26 for mid-day meals in Bal Vatikas and government schools
2025-26
In 2025-26, MoE sanctioned a budget of ₹370 crore for free mid-day meals to 1.2 lakh Bal Vatikas, 9.05 lakh primary and 5.32 lakh upper primary students in 19,620 government schools in the state; central assistance ₹231.65 crore and state share ₹138.43 crore; central government bore entire cost of food grains ₹159.87 crore at ₹41.73 per kg for rice and ₹29.8 per kg for wheat.
Review of pending civil works 2018-19 to 2020-21
May 12, 2026
The MoE ordered a thorough review of pending civil works sanctioned between 2018-19 and 2020-21, with cancellation of works not started or already completed through convergence with other schemes.
MoE asks states/UTs to prepare 2026-27 plans
May 12, 2026
The MoE instructed state governments and Union territories to prepare annual work plans and budget proposals for the two centrally sponsored schemes for 2026-27 under existing norms.
Centre extends two schemes till Sept 30, 2026
May 12, 2026
The Centre announced a temporary extension of Samagra Shiksha and PM Poshan till September 30, 2026, pending five-year continuation approval for 2026-27 to 2030-31; central share kept at ₹703 crore; extension terms otherwise unchanged.
MoE letter to Punjab on extending schemes
April 2026
The Union Ministry of Education sent a letter to the Punjab government indicating that the two schemes will be extended up to September 30, 2026, or until approval for the 16th Finance Commission cycle, whichever is earlier.
Term ends for Samagra Shiksha and PM Poshan
March 31, 2026
The term of Samagra Shiksha and PM Poshan schemes ends on March 31, 2026.