Launched in 2017, the scheme is run by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and is part of Mission Shakti. It also aims to encourage maternal health, nutrition and the well-being of girl children.
Under the scheme, eligible women receive Rs 5,000 for their first living child in two instalments.
New Delhi,Oct 22, 2026 16:14 IST
Pregnancy and childbirth can bring additional expenses and affect a woman’s ability to earn. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) aims to ease this burden by providing financial assistance to eligible pregnant and lactating women.
Launched in 2017, the scheme is run by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and is part of Mission Shakti. It also aims to encourage maternal health, nutrition and the well-being of girl children.
How much financial assistance do mothers receive?
Under the scheme, eligible women receive Rs 5,000 for their first living child in two instalments. The first payment of Rs 3,000 is made after pregnancy registration and at least one antenatal check-up. The remaining Rs 2,000 is paid after the birth is registered and the child has received vaccinations up to 14 weeks of age.
For the second child, the scheme provides Rs 6,000 in a single instalment, provided the child is a girl. The payment is made after birth.
Women who deliver in a health facility may also receive financial assistance under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). Together, the benefits for a first child amount to an average of around Rs 6,000.
Payments under PMMVY are made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the beneficiary’s bank or post office account.
Who is eligible for PM Matru Vandana Yojana?
The scheme covers eligible pregnant and lactating women for their first living child. Benefits are also available for a second child if the child is a girl.
Women employed by the central or state government, those working in public sector undertakings, and those covered under similar maternity benefit laws are not eligible for the scheme.
How to apply for the scheme
Eligible women can register at their nearest Anganwadi centre or designated health facility. Applications can also be submitted through the official PMMVY portal at pmmvy.wcd.gov.in.
Applicants need to provide Aadhaar details, pregnancy-related information and bank account details. They can track their application status through the PMMVY software and receive updates by SMS.
PMMVY in Uttar Pradesh: How many women have benefited?
A Lok Sabha reply dated April 4, 2025, recorded 67.25 lakh beneficiaries enrolled under the scheme in Uttar Pradesh, of whom 61.61 lakh had received payments. The total amount disbursed in the state stood at Rs 2,734.76 crore.
At the national level, more than four crore beneficiaries had received maternity benefits as of July 2025.
Why the scheme matters
PMMVY aims to provide financial support during pregnancy and after childbirth while encouraging women to seek timely health check-ups, maintain adequate nutrition and access institutional delivery services. The additional benefit for a second girl child is also intended to promote a positive attitude towards girls.
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