PMSMA: Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan

In Summary

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides free antenatal care to pregnant women during their second and third trimesters through designated government health facilities. The scheme promotes regular pregnancy check-ups, early identification of high-risk pregnancies, and timely medical support to help improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.

Key Points

• Provides free antenatal care on the 9th of every month.
• Supports pregnant women during their second and third trimesters.
• Enables early identification and monitoring of high-risk pregnancies.
• Offers specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and essential medicines.
• Improves maternal healthcare through timely medical intervention.

PMSMA helps ensure safer pregnancies through free antenatal services, but additional health insurance can provide financial support for other maternity-related medical expenses. Compare premiums in minutes — Get quote and check what fits your budget.

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is an initiative by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, that provides free, quality antenatal care (ANC) to pregnant women on the 9th of every month. Women in their second and third trimesters can access specialist consultations from OBGY specialists, radiologists, and physicians at designated government health facilities, including PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals, and urban health centres.

The scheme follows a single-window approach, offering essential investigations, free medicines such as iron-folic acid (IFA) and calcium supplements, along with specialist care during a single visit. A key focus of PMSMA is the early identification of high-risk pregnancies, which are marked with red stickers on the Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card to ensure timely follow-up and appropriate medical care.

The PMSMA scheme aims to improve maternal healthcare by ensuring timely antenatal care and better management of pregnancy-related risks.

• Antenatal check-ups: Ensure every pregnant woman receives at least one antenatal examination by a physician or specialist during the second or third trimester.
• Quality healthcare: Improve antenatal services through diagnostic investigations, clinical screening, counselling, and proper documentation.
• Clinical management: Facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as anaemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and gestational diabetes.
• Additional opportunities: Support pregnant women who have missed routine antenatal visits.
• High-risk pregnancies: Identify and maintain records of high-risk pregnancies based on medical history and existing clinical conditions.
• Birth preparedness: Promote birth planning and preparedness for pregnancy-related complications.
• Nutritional care: Focus on the early detection and management of malnutrition during pregnancy.
• Adolescent pregnancies: Provide additional attention and specialised care for adolescent and early pregnancies.

PMSMA provides a structured package of antenatal services through government health facilities across India.

• Comprehensive antenatal care: Every pregnant woman receives at least one detailed health examination and appropriate investigations.
• Specialist care: OBGY specialists, radiologists, and physicians provide antenatal services with support from private sector doctors where required.
• Monthly healthcare package: A minimum package of antenatal services, including investigations and medicines, is available on the 9th day of every month.
• Single-window system: Essential investigations, including one ultrasound during the second trimester, and prescribed medicines are provided during a single visit.
• Targeted outreach: Special efforts are made to reach women who have missed antenatal care and those with high-risk pregnancies.
• Voluntary participation: Private healthcare practitioners are encouraged to volunteer at government health facilities.
• Mother and Child Protection: Pregnant women receive Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Cards and Safe Motherhood booklets for better pregnancy tracking.
• High-risk monitoring: High-risk pregnancies are identified and tracked using a sticker on the MCP Card during every visit.
• Digital support: A National Portal and mobile application facilitate participation from the private and voluntary sectors.
• Recognition: The 'IPledgeFor9' Achievers Awards recognise individuals and teams for their voluntary contribution to PMSMA.

The PMSMA scheme provides free, quality antenatal care to support the health of both the mother and the baby throughout pregnancy.

• Free antenatal care: Offers comprehensive antenatal check-ups and essential healthcare services at no cost.
• Specialised medical support: Provides access to specialist consultations, diagnostic investigations, and timely medical intervention.
• Improved maternal health: Promotes early detection and management of pregnancy-related complications to support safer pregnancies.
• Convenient access: Services are available on a fixed day every month, making antenatal care more accessible.
• Digital support: Beneficiaries can use the PMSMA login portal to access information and manage their care more efficiently.

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is primarily designed to provide quality antenatal care to pregnant women, especially those who may not have regular access to comprehensive pregnancy check-ups.

Pregnant women who can benefit from PMSMA include:

• All pregnant women: PMSMA provides antenatal check-ups and essential pregnancy-related services.
• Women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters: Specialised antenatal care is provided on the 9th of every month at designated public health facilities.
• Women from low-income households: The programme offers essential antenatal services free of cost at government health facilities.
• Women at high risk during pregnancy: Those identified with conditions such as anaemia, hypertension, gestational diabetes, or other pregnancy complications can benefit from early identification and appropriate referral.
• Women who have missed regular antenatal check-ups: PMSMA provides an opportunity to receive essential examinations and screening during pregnancy.
• Women in rural or underserved areas: The programme aims to improve access to quality maternal healthcare, particularly for women who may have limited access to specialist services.

PMSMA benefits pregnant women by providing free, comprehensive and scheduled antenatal care, helping identify pregnancy-related risks early and ensuring timely medical intervention.

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is intended for pregnant women who require antenatal care during pregnancy. The key eligibility criteria include:

• Pregnant women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester can avail of PMSMA services.
• Women can visit designated government health facilities offering PMSMA services.
• Antenatal check-ups are provided free of cost under the programme.
• Women who have missed or not received regular antenatal care can also benefit from the programme.
• High-risk pregnancies identified during screening can receive appropriate counselling, treatment, monitoring, or referral.
• Pregnant women can generally access PMSMA services on the 9th of every month, subject to the availability of services at the designated facility.

Note: PMSMA is a government maternal-health programme rather than an insurance scheme, so there is no income-based eligibility requirement for accessing its core antenatal care services.

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides pregnant women with free, comprehensive antenatal care at designated public health facilities. Key services include:

• Antenatal check-ups: Routine examinations to monitor the health of the mother and baby.
• Blood and urine tests: Screening for conditions such as anaemia, infections and other pregnancy-related concerns.
• Blood pressure and weight monitoring: Helps identify conditions such as pregnancy-induced hypertension.
• Screening for high-risk pregnancies: Women are assessed for complications that may require closer monitoring or specialist care.
• Ultrasound services: Where available, ultrasound examinations may be provided as part of antenatal assessment.
• Screening for gestational diabetes: Pregnant women may be tested for elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy.
• Screening and management of anaemia: Women with anaemia can receive appropriate advice, supplements and treatment.
• Counselling: Guidance on nutrition, pregnancy care, birth preparedness and danger signs during pregnancy.
• Medicines and supplements: Essential medicines and supplements, such as iron-folic acid and calcium, may be provided as per clinical requirements.
• Referral services: Women identified with complications or high-risk pregnancies can be referred to appropriate healthcare facilities for further management.

PMSMA focuses on early detection of pregnancy complications, regular antenatal monitoring, counselling and timely referral, helping improve maternal and foetal health outcomes.

During the July 31, 2016 episode of Mann Ki Baat, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India introduced the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) and encouraged doctors to volunteer at least 12 days a year for this noble cause.

To streamline and promote participation from the private and voluntary sector, a dedicated National Portal and mobile application have been developed. OBGY specialists, radiologists, and physicians working privately can register as volunteers through any of the following modes:

• Toll-free number: Call 1800-180-1104
• SMS: Send ‘PMSMA <Your Name>’ to 5616115
• Website: Visit pmsma.nhp.gov.in
• Mobile app: Use the ‘Volunteer Registration’ section in the PMSMA app

If you are an Obstetrician/ Radiologist/ Physician and willing to volunteer, then you can visit https://pmsma.mohfw.gov.in/pmsma-app/VolunteerController/volunteerRegistration to complete the registration process. You need to provide the following details:

• Name
• Gender
• Working as (Private/ voluntary/ retired)
• Qualification
• Specialisation
• Mobile number
• Email address
• MCI/ State medical council registration number
• Member of any professional body
• Address
• The state and district you are volunteering for

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan is a program designed to deliver healthcare services to every pregnant woman across India. Additionally, it furnishes counseling sessions to expectant mothers concerning the safety and potential risks linked with pregnancies. Consequently, it ensures that pregnant women undergo safe deliveries and have convenient access to healthcare facilities.

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is supported by several government initiatives and maternal-health programmes that collectively aim to improve antenatal care, reduce maternal and neonatal complications, and promote safe motherhood.

Some key initiatives include:

• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Promotes institutional deliveries by providing financial assistance to eligible pregnant women, particularly those from vulnerable sections.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Provides free and cashless services for pregnant women and sick newborns at public health institutions, including delivery-related care, medicines, diagnostics and transport.
• LaQshya: Focuses on improving the quality of care during labour, delivery and the immediate postpartum period at public health facilities.
• SUMAN (Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan): Aims to ensure dignified, respectful and quality healthcare for every woman and newborn visiting public health facilities.
• Poshan Abhiyaan: Supports better maternal and child nutrition through improved nutrition awareness, monitoring and community-level interventions.
• Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB): Addresses anaemia among pregnant women through screening, iron-folic acid supplementation, counselling and appropriate management.
• Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) strategy: Provides an integrated framework for addressing healthcare needs across the reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent stages.

Together, these initiatives complement PMSMA by supporting antenatal care, nutrition, institutional delivery, emergency referral, quality maternity services and postpartum care.

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is a landmark initiative that ensures pregnant women receive free, quality antenatal care, especially in rural and underserved areas. Through active government support, volunteer participation, and health system strengthening, PMSMA is a significant step toward reducing maternal mortality and promoting safe motherhood in India.

While government programmes such as PMSMA support essential maternity care, a health insurance policy can provide additional financial protection against hospitalisation and other medical expenses. Explore plans today to prepare for unexpected healthcare costs during pregnancy and beyond.