Tamil Nadu CM Vijay launches expanded Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme for govt. school students

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) launched the expansion of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme to benefit students studying in Classes VI to VIII in government and government-aided schools across the State.

Launching the expansion of the scheme at Chennai Middle School, Gandhi Gramam, at Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai, Mr. Vijay served sweet pongal to students and had breakfast with them. The Chief Minister also inspected the classrooms and interacted with students who were having breakfast. The students were served sweet pongal, pongal, and sambar during breakfast on the day of the launch.

The expanded scheme will cover 15.3 lakh students studying in Classes VI to VIII in 15,454 government and government-aided schools across the State. Breakfast will be prepared and served through centralised kitchens in 447 government and government-aided schools in the Greater Chennai Corporation. In 2,150 government and government-aided schools in other municipal corporations, municipalities, and adjoining town panchayat areas, breakfast will be prepared and served through centralised kitchens by the Directorate of Municipal Administration.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. Vijay serves breakfast for schoolchildren while launching the expansion of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme at Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai on September 22, 2026
| Photo Credit:
R. Ragu

In 12,857 government and government-aided schools in rural areas and adjoining town panchayat areas, members of self-help groups under the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women will prepare and serve breakfast at the respective schools.

The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme for students in Classes I to V in government and government-aided schools was launched during the previous DMK regime in September 2022. After the TVK-led government assumed office, Mr. Vijay directed that the scheme be expanded to cover students in Classes VI to VIII in government and government-aided schools as well. Subsequently, the scheme was renamed the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay interacts with school students during the launch of the expansion of the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme in Chennai on September 22, 2026
| Photo Credit:
R. Ragu

A total of ₹724 crore has been allocated for this scheme, including additional funds of ₹217.63 crore for the expansion component.

Ministers N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Rajmohan, K. Jegadeshwari, and R. Kumar, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar, and senior officials of the School Education and Social Welfare and Women Empowerment departments were present during the launch.

After launching the scheme, Mr. Vijay also met Praveen Kumar, a person with disabilities, and his mother, Malar, who were waiting outside the school. She submitted a petition seeking financial assistance and a job for her educated daughter. The Chief Minister received the petition and assured her appropriate action would be taken.