(INDIA) "Growing concerns of Type 2 diabetes among school students"; schools have 'Sugar Boards'

May 25, 2025, Economic Times: PM Modi hails CBSE initiative of installing 'Sugar boards' in schools, says children "starting to choosing healthy options"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the recent CBSE mandate for schools across the country affiliated under the board to install sugar boards to educate students on the risks of high sugar intake.

"You must have seen blackboards in schools, but now sugar boards are also being installed in some schools - not blackboard, but sugar board," said the Prime Minister in the 122nd episode of his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' address to the country.

The initiative to introduce sugar boards by CBSE comes amid the growing concerns of Type 2 diabetes among school students due to high consumption of sugar.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), following recommendations from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), has directed all affiliated schools to install 'Sugar Boards' by July 15, 2025.

The action has come in light of the rising trend of children being diagonised with Type 2 diabetes, a condition once almost exclusively seen in adults, obesity, and other health issues linked to sugar overconsumption in children. . . .

"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 within school environments," the CBSE circular noted.

Schools under the board have also been directed to organize awareness seminars or workshops for students to promote healthy dietary choices.

This effort, guided by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), aims to promote informed food choices and long-term well-being.