NT Reporter
Panaji
Goa reported a 0.2 per cent decline in enrolment, the Programme Approval Board (PAB) of the PM-POSHAN Scheme said.
The PAB observed that the enrolment has decreased by about 0.2 per cent from 1,61,269 in 2025-26 to 1,61,643 in 2024-25, i.e. by about 374 students.
It said that the average coverage of students under the scheme (mid-day meal) has increased by about 0.9 per cent (i.e. by about 1,411 students) in 2025-26.
At the primary level, Goa reported a decline of 582 students from 92,501 students in 2024-25 to 91,919 in 2025-26. Similarly, at the upper primary level, a decline of 628 students was seen with an enrolment of 66,571 in 2024-25 to 65,943 on 2025-26.
The Bal Vatika level, however, witnessed a 32.5 per cent increase in enrolment with 2,571 students in 2024-25 to 3,407 students in 2024-26. PAB advised the state to ascertain the reasons for the drop in enrolment and take corrective measures. It also expressed concern over the low utilisation of transportation (only 68 per cent against the annual allocation) and advised the state to expedite the timely payment of transportation assistance.
“PAB observed that the performance of the state across various indicators is commendable. However, the state was advised to ensure that the Aadhaar authentication of students is done through Biometric mode for 100 per cent students and also update the data in MIS portal on monthly basis,” the minutes of the meeting of PAB-PM POSHAN for Goa (2026-27) said. It said that the computation of central assistance of Rs 2,241.61 lakh and 4,534 MT foodgrains and minimum mandatory state share of Rs 1,343.03 lakh has been done as per existing norms.
“The computation of the central assistance of Rs 2,241.61 lakh also includes tentative unspent balance of Rs 35 lakh,” the PAB said.
