The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, is one of the country’s schemes that directly benefits pregnant women and newborns.
This scheme is specifically designed for women who come from socially and economically weaker sections and are most in need of nutrition, care, and financial support during pregnancy.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a centrally sponsored flagship maternity benefit scheme, primarily aimed at providing cash assistance to pregnant and lactating mothers to enable them to focus on their health and nutrition during pregnancy and the early period after childbirth. Through this scheme, the government aims to ensure that no woman is deprived of essential treatment, diagnostics or nutrition simply due to lack of money.
The purpose and vision of the plan
PMMVY was launched to compensate women for wage loss during maternity. Women, particularly those employed in daily wage labor, the unorganized sector, or low-paying jobs, are unable to work during pregnancy and lose their income. This scheme provides them with financial support.
Additionally, the government’s primary objective is to promote good nutrition, ensure safe pregnancies, and encourage the birth of girl children. This is why the scheme provides additional benefits for the second child being a girl.
What are the rules for the first and second child?
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, maternity benefits are provided for the first two living children, but there is an important condition. Benefits for the first child are available to all eligible women, while benefits for the second child are only available if the second child is a girl.
Under the PMMVY, a woman receives ₹5,000 in two installments for her first child. When combined with the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) funds after institutional delivery, the average woman receives a total financial assistance of ₹6,000.
For the second child, if it’s a girl, the scheme provides a direct ₹6,000 installment in a single installment. This amount is provided after the child’s birth.
Changes related to PMMVY 2.0 and ‘Mission Shakti’
Under the new guidelines, effective April 1, 2022, this scheme has been included under ‘Mission Shakti’ as PMMVY 2.0. The government’s intention behind this is to promote positive attitudes towards girl children and improve the sex ratio at birth.
The government believes that providing financial incentives for having a girl as a second child will not only change families’ mindsets but also curb social evils like female foeticide. This is why the entire amount for the second child is paid in a single installment, providing immediate financial relief to families.
What happens in case of miscarriage or stillbirth?
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana also clarifies that if a woman has a miscarriage or stillbirth, she will not be excluded from the scheme. In such cases, the woman will be treated as a new beneficiary for any future pregnancies.
This means that the woman will have full right to avail the benefits of the scheme again and will not be deprived in any way due to the previous failed pregnancy.
Information about installments for the first child
The amount for the first child is disbursed in two installments. The first installment is disbursed when the woman registers her pregnancy and undergoes at least one antenatal check-up within six months of the last menstrual period. This registration can be done at an Anganwadi center or any recognized health center designated by the state government.
The second installment is paid after the child’s birth. This requires the child’s birth to be registered and the child to have received all the necessary vaccinations under the Universal Immunization Program by the age of 14 weeks.
Benefits for the second child (if it is a girl)
If the second child is a girl, the entire amount of ₹6,000 is paid to the woman in a single installment. Pregnancy registration, timely antenatal check-ups, birth registration, and all necessary vaccinations up to 14 weeks are mandatory.
Full details of the plan amount and terms and conditions
| Category | Installment | terms | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| first child | first installment | Pregnancy registration and an ANC check-up within 6 months | 3,000 |
| first child | Second installment | Birth registration and completion of vaccinations by 14 weeks | 2,000 |
| Second child (girl child) | lump sum | Registration, ANC check-ups, birth and vaccination | 6,000 |
Who can avail the benefits of the scheme
To benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, a woman must be at least 19 years old and pregnant. This scheme is specifically designed for women who are forced to miss work due to pregnancy, impacting their income.
This scheme generally applies to the first living child, while benefits for the second child are available only if it is a girl. Eligible women can apply for this scheme within 270 days of the child’s birth.
If a woman has twins, triplets or more children in her second pregnancy and one or more of them are girls, she will be given incentive amount for the second girl child as per the rules of PMMVY 2.0.
Identification of socially and economically weaker sections
The government has clarified that the scheme’s benefits will primarily be extended to women from socially and economically backward classes.
This includes women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, women with disabilities, BPL ration card holders, women registered under Ayushman Bharat, e-Shram card holders, women farmers covered by the Kisan Samman Nidhi, women holding MNREGA job cards, and women whose annual family income is less than ₹8 lakh.
Anganwadi workers, assistants, ASHA workers, and women holding ration cards under the National Food Security Act, 2013, are also covered under this scheme. Other categories, as determined by the central government from time to time, may also be included.
Which women will not get the benefit
Women who hold regular employment with the central government, state government, or a public sector undertaking and already receive maternity benefits are not eligible for this scheme. Furthermore, women who already receive similar maternity benefits under any other law will also not be eligible for PMMVY.
It has also been clarified that the husband’s Aadhaar card is not mandatory to avail the benefits of the scheme, so that single or abandoned women do not face any problem.
Online Application Process
The application process for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has been completely digitalized and simplified. Citizens must visit the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s official website and log in.
After verifying their mobile number, an account is created by entering information such as name, state, district, block, village, and beneficiary relationship.
After logging in, go to the “Data Entry” section and select “Beneficiary Registration.” Here, after filling in your personal information, you must select whether the application is for your first or second child. Once all the information is entered correctly, the form is submitted.
What are the necessary documents
While applying under the scheme, Aadhaar card, bank or post office account linked to Aadhaar, bank details, eligibility proof, MCP or RCH card, date of last menstruation, date of ANC check-up, child’s birth certificate and vaccination related information are required.
Beneficiaries are also required to upload relevant category documents to prove their eligibility. Aadhaar-based payment systems and mobile numbers are verified at the time of application to ensure no problems arise with payment and reporting.
Registration can also be done through the mobile app.
The government has also launched a mobile app for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), allowing women and health workers to easily register. A mobile number is mandatory so that information about application status and fund release can be directly sent to beneficiaries.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is not just a government scheme, but a source of protection and dignity for millions of women during pregnancy. In addition to providing monetary assistance, this scheme promotes safe motherhood, better nutrition, and a positive attitude toward girl children. By providing the right information and applying on time, any eligible woman can take full advantage of this scheme and improve her and her child’s future.