The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a centrally sponsored maternity benefit scheme launched on 1st January 2017 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. Implemented under Section 4 of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, it provides financial support to pregnant and lactating mothers. The scheme covers the first two living children, with benefits for the second child available only if the child is a girl. Its core objectives are to improve maternal and child health, support nutrition, and compensate for wage loss during pregnancy and postnatal care.
For the first child, a maternity benefit of Rs. 5,000 is given in two installments under PMMVY, and the beneficiary is also eligible for a cash incentive under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) after institutional delivery, totaling an average of Rs. 6,000. For the second child, a benefit of Rs. 6,000 is provided in one installment after the birth, only if the child is a girl. This program is a vital step towards ensuring the well-being of mothers and their children across the nation, emphasizing the benefits of health insurance in the country.
Details of PMMVY
Given below is a brief overview of the scheme:
Aspect |
Description |
PMMVY full form |
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana |
Objective |
To provide financial assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers |
Eligibility |
Pregnant and lactating women, excluding those in regular employment with the government |
Benefits |
A cash incentive of Rs. 5,000 |
Application process |
Apply through Anganwadi Centers or approved health facilities |
The PMMVY scheme aims to improve the health and nutrition status of pregnant women and lactating mothers by providing financial incentives.
Objectives of PMMVY
The following criteria are used to identify women from socially and economically disadvantaged sections of society for eligibility under the scheme:
- Women belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- Women who are partially (40%) or fully disabled (Divyang Jan)
- Women holding a BPL ration card
- Beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) of Ayushman Bharat
- Women possessing an e-Shram card
- Women farmers receiving benefits under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme
- Women with an active MGNREGA job card
- Women whose total family income is below Rs. 8 lakh per annum
- Pregnant and lactating women working as Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), or Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs)
- Any other category specified by the Central Government
However, pregnant and lactating women employed in regular positions with the Central or State Government, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), or those receiving similar maternity benefits under any existing law are not eligible for benefits under PMMVY.
Who is eligible for Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)?
To qualify for benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), the following conditions must be met:
- The applicant must be a pregnant woman aged 19 years or older.
- She should be employed and experiencing wage loss due to pregnancy.
- The scheme applies only to the first live birth.
- The beneficiary must apply for PMMVY benefits within 270 days of childbirth.
- In the case of a second pregnancy resulting in twins, triplets, or more—with at least one girl child—the beneficiary is eligible for an incentive under the PMMVY 2.0 norms for the second girl child.
Criteria for socially and economically disadvantaged women
Women belonging to the following categories are recognised as socially and economically disadvantaged:
- Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- Women who are partially (minimum 40%) or fully disabled (Divyang Jan)
- Women holding a BPL ration card
- Beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) of Ayushman Bharat
- Women with a valid e-Shram card
- Women farmers enrolled under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme
- Women possessing a MGNREGA job card
- Women with a total annual family income of less than Rs. 8 lakh
- Pregnant and lactating Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs)
- Women holding ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
- Any other category as specified by the Central Government
These criteria ensure that the scheme supports women most in need of maternity-related financial assistance.