PM Modi hails CBSE’s initiative of installing ‘sugar boards’ in schools

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the recent CBSE directive mandating schools affiliated with the board across the country to install ‘Sugar Boards’ to educate students about the risks of excessive sugar consumption.

“You must have seen blackboards in schools, but now sugar boards are also being installed—not blackboards, but sugar boards,” the Prime Minister said during the 122nd episode of his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address to the nation.

The initiative by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), PM Modi said, is aimed at making children aware of their sugar intake and helping them choose healthier options.

“By understanding how much sugar should be consumed and how much is actually being consumed, children have started choosing healthy options themselves,” he said.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the initiative would help inculcate healthy lifestyle habits from an early age, underlining the importance of a Fit India.

“This is a unique effort, and its impact will be very positive. It can prove to be extremely helpful in fostering healthy lifestyle habits from childhood,” he said.

“Many parents have appreciated the move, and I believe similar initiatives should be implemented in offices, canteens, and other institutions. After all, if there is health, there is everything. Fit India is the foundation of a strong India,” he added.

The CBSE’s move to introduce Sugar Boards comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of Type 2 diabetes among school students, primarily due to high sugar consumption.

Acting on recommendations from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the CBSE has directed all affiliated schools to install Sugar Boards by July 15, 2025.

The decision comes in response to an alarming trend of children being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes—a condition previously seen almost exclusively in adults—along with increasing rates of childhood obesity and other sugar-related health issues.

The Sugar Boards are intended to visually represent the amount of sugar present in commonly consumed snacks and beverages, comparing it with the recommended daily intake.

They will display:

-The recommended daily sugar intake

-Sugar content in popular junk foods and drinks

-Health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption

-Healthier food alternatives

“Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in Type 2 diabetes among children, largely due to the easy availability of sugary snacks, beverages, and processed foods in school environments,” the CBSE circular noted.

In addition, schools have been instructed to organize awareness seminars and workshops to promote healthy dietary habits among students.

This initiative, guided by the NCPCR, is designed to promote informed food choices and long-term well-being.