More than four crore women across India have benefited from the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a centrally sponsored maternity scheme. As per the Ministry of Women and Child Development, a total of ₹19,028 crore has been disbursed so far to women under this initiative. The government has also extended a special registration drive for the scheme until August 15.
Currently, Anganwadi and ASHA workers are conducting door-to-door registration drives targeting pregnant and lactating women eligible for the scheme. According to the ministry, PMMVY is not just about financial aid but also aims to promote a positive mindset toward the birth of daughters in society.
About PMMVY scheme
PMMVY operates under the ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme of Mission Shakti. It offers ₹5,000 in two instalments to women during their first pregnancy. For a second child, if it is a girl, a single instalment of ₹6,000 is provided.
Digital platform for transparency and direct transfer
Since March 2023, the scheme has been fully digitised through the PMMVY Soft platform. It enables Aadhaar-based verification and NPCI-linked direct bank transfers to beneficiaries.
Enhanced grievance redressal features
The upgraded system includes several user-friendly features like multilingual toll-free helpline (14408), integrated grievance modules, facial recognition, and an automatic list generation for identifying potential beneficiaries. The ministry credits the scheme’s success to the collaborative efforts of state officials and ground-level workers. The government aims to continue strengthening PMMVY to support maternal nutrition, health awareness, and gender equality.
