The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit program, a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, and is centrally sponsored. It was launched on 1st January 2017. This scheme, in accordance with Section 4 of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013, aims to provide financial assistance to pregnant and lactating mothers. Maternity benefits are offered to women for their first two living children, provided the second child is a girl. The primary objectives are to enhance maternal and child health and nutrition, and to offer compensation for any wage loss that may occur during this crucial phase of motherhood.
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 Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is designed with several key objectives in mind.
- It aims to provide a cash incentive to partially compensate for the wage loss experienced by pregnant women, allowing them to take adequate rest before and after the delivery of their first child. This initiative is crucial for promoting the health and well-being of both the mother and the newborn.
- The PMMVY seeks to encourage health-seeking behaviour among pregnant women and lactating mothers by offering a maternity benefit of Rs. 5,000, which is directly deposited into the beneficiary's bank or post office account linked to her Aadhaar through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. After an institutional delivery, the remaining cash incentive is provided as per approved norms under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), ensuring that, on average, a woman receives Rs. 6,000.
Additionally, the scheme aims to cover women from socially, economically disadvantaged, and marginalized sections of society, ensuring that they have access to these essential benefits. With the introduction of PMMVY 2.0 under the 'Mission Shakti' guidelines effective from April 1, 2022, the scheme now also seeks to promote positive behavioural change towards the girl child. For the second child, if it is a girl, an additional cash incentive of Rs. 6,000 is provided in one instalment post-birth, which aims to improve the sex ratio at birth by discouraging female foeticide.
Finally, in cases of miscarriage or stillbirth, the beneficiary will be treated as a fresh beneficiary in the event of any future pregnancy, ensuring that they continue to receive the necessary support and benefits.