Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Strengthens Maternal Health and Early Childhood Care

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) continues to advance its commitment to maternal health and early childhood care through the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a flagship maternity benefit scheme launched in 2017. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), promoting positive health-seeking behaviour and improved nutrition.

Since its integration under Mission Shakti from 1 April 2022, PMMVY has been streamlined from three instalments to two. Additionally, maternity benefits have been extended to the second child, provided the child is a girl.

Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive ₹5,000 in two instalments for the first living child and ₹6,000 for the second child (if the child is a girl). These benefits are linked to critical maternal and child health milestones, such as early pregnancy registration, antenatal care, and immunisation.

PMMVY leverages the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism to ensure the timely and transparent delivery of financial assistance directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. It also includes provisions for fresh eligibility in cases of miscarriage or stillbirth, further enhancing its inclusivity. The financial support serves as partial wage compensation, enabling women to take sufficient rest before and after childbirth.

PMMVY has demonstrated significant scale and impact across the country since its inception:

• Total beneficiaries paid: 4.27 crore (as on 30^th April 2026)
• Total amount disbursed: ₹20,150 crore

The story of beneficiaries reflects its real-world significance. A transformative impact of the scheme is seen at the grassroots levels. Women who faced financial hardship and limited access to healthcare during their pregnancy have received support under PMMVY and have been provided timely financial assistance, enabling them  access to nutritious food, regular antenatal check-ups, and essential medical care without additional financial burden. With proper care and continuous monitoring, they safely delivered healthy babies at healthcare institutions, underscoring the scheme’s role in ensuring safe motherhood and improved maternal outcomes.

The scheme has contributed to improving maternal well-being, encouraging institutional deliveries, and strengthening gender equity, particularly through additional incentives for the girl child.

The Ministry remains committed to further strengthening implementation mechanisms and expanding outreach to ensure that every eligible woman benefits from the scheme, in alignment with the vision of a healthier and more empowered India.