Overview
- Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will formally inaugurate the expansion at a Tiruvanmiyur school on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
- The programme adds about 15.30 lakh students in Classes 6 to 8 and is reported to cover roughly between 15,454 and 15,910 government and aided schools as roll-out details are finalised.
- The state has allocated an extra Rs 217.63 crore for the first year, bringing the scheme’s cited total funding to Rs 724 crore.
- Breakfasts will be prepared in integrated kitchens run by Self Help Groups under the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women and by centralised kitchens in municipal areas, with officials ordering strict hygiene and dining-area monitoring.
- Chengalpattu and Tiruppur will be excluded from the initial roll-out because the Model Code of Conduct governs nearby bypolls, and officials say the expansion should ease family expenses, boost attendance and concentration, and create local cooking work through SHGs as implementation is monitored.