Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana 2023-24 (PMMVY): A Cash Transfer Scheme for Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in India

Are you a pregnant woman or a lactating mother who needs financial support and care during this crucial period of your life? Do you want to ensure a safe delivery and a healthy child? If yes, then you should know about the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a scheme launched by the government of India to provide cash incentives and health services to the pregnant women and lactating mothers.

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this scheme, such as what is the scheme, what is its objective, how to apply, what are the eligibility criteria, what are the benefits, and what are the documents required. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the scheme. So, read on and find out how you can avail the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.

What is the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit program run by the government of India. It was originally launched in 2010 as the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) and renamed in 2017. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in collaboration with the state governments and the union territories.

The scheme is a conditional cash transfer scheme that provides a cash incentive of Rs. 5000/- (in three instalments) directly in the bank or post office account of the pregnant women and lactating mothers. The scheme also provides health and nutrition services to the beneficiaries through the existing public health system. The scheme aims to ensure food security and to create a hunger-free India.

What is the objective of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The objective of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is to provide partial wage compensation to the pregnant women and lactating mothers for wage-loss during childbirth and childcare and to provide conditions for safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices. The scheme also aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and to improve the health and well-being of the mother and the child. The scheme also aims to enhance the social status and empowerment of the women and to promote institutional delivery and early registration of pregnancy.

How to apply for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The application for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana can be done online or offline. The online application can be done through the official website of the scheme, which is https://pmmvy-cas.nic.in/. The offline application can be done through the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) or the approved health facilities. The applicants have to fill up the application form with the required details and documents and submit it to the concerned authorities. The applicants have to register themselves under the scheme within 150 days of the last menstrual period (LMP) or before the delivery of the child. The applicants have to fulfil the following conditions to receive the cash incentive under the scheme:

• The first instalment of Rs. 1000/- is paid after the registration of pregnancy and at least one antenatal check-up (ANC).
• The second instalment of Rs. 2000/- is paid after six months of pregnancy and at least one more ANC and the receipt of the tetanus toxoid injection and iron-folic acid tablets.
• The third instalment of Rs. 2000/- is paid after the delivery of the child and the registration of the birth and the completion of the first cycle of immunization of the child.

The applicants have to submit the application form along with the following documents:

• Aadhaar card or Aadhaar enrolment slip
• Bank or post office account details
• Mobile number
• Mother-child protection card or Janani Suraksha Yojana card
• Medical records and certificates
• Any other document as required by the scheme

The applicants can also track the status of their application online through the website or offline through the AWCs or the health facilities. The applicants can also contact the helpline number of the scheme, which is 011-23382393, for any query or grievance.

What are the eligibility criteria for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The eligibility criteria for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are as follows:

• The applicant must be a pregnant woman or a lactating mother who is above the age of 19 years.
• The applicant must be a resident of India and have a valid Aadhaar card or Aadhaar enrolment slip.
• The applicant must have a bank or post office account in her name or jointly with her husband.
• The applicant must not have more than two living children. The scheme is applicable only for the first or second live birth of the child.
• The applicant must not be a regular employee of the central or state government or any public sector undertaking or any autonomous body receiving budgetary support from the government. The scheme is also not applicable for the women who are covered under any other maternity benefit scheme, such as the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) or the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).

What are the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are as follows:

• The scheme provides a cash incentive of Rs. 5000/- (in three instalments) directly in the bank or post office account of the pregnant women and lactating mothers. The cash incentive is meant to compensate for the wage loss during childbirth and childcare and to provide conditions for safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices. The cash incentive is in addition to the cash assistance of Rs. 1000/- provided under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for institutional delivery. Thus, the total amount of cash incentive under the PMMVY and the JSY is Rs. 6000/- per beneficiary.
• The scheme also provides health and nutrition services to the pregnant women and lactating mothers through the existing public health system. The services include antenatal check-ups, tetanus toxoid injection, iron-folic acid tablets, delivery care, postnatal care, immunization, counselling, etc. The scheme also links the beneficiaries with the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) for the provision of supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, early childhood education, etc.

Features of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

Some of the features of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are:

• The scheme is a conditional cash transfer scheme that provides a cash incentive of Rs. 5000/- (in three instalments) directly in the bank or post office account of the pregnant women and lactating mothers.
• The scheme is in addition to the cash assistance of Rs. 1000/- provided under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for institutional delivery. Thus, the total amount of cash incentive under the PMMVY and the JSY is Rs. 6000/- per beneficiary.
• The scheme also provides health and nutrition services to the beneficiaries through the existing public health system. The services include antenatal check-ups, tetanus toxoid injection, iron-folic acid tablets, delivery care, postnatal care, immunization, counselling, etc.
• The scheme covers all the pregnant women and lactating mothers who are above the age of 19 years and have a valid Aadhaar card or Aadhaar enrolment slip. The scheme is applicable only for the first or second live birth of the child.
• The scheme excludes the women who are regular employees of the central or state government or any public sector undertaking or any autonomous body receiving budgetary support from the government. The scheme is also not applicable for the women who are covered under any other maternity benefit scheme, such as the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) or the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
• The scheme also covers the adoptive mothers and the commissioning mothers who have legally adopted a child below the age of six months or given birth to a child through surrogacy respectively.
• The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in collaboration with the state governments and the union territories. The scheme is monitored and evaluated by the National Level Empowered Committee (NLEC) and the State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC).

Implementation and Monitoring of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

The implementation and monitoring of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are done through the following steps:

• The MWCD issues the guidelines and the operational manual for the scheme and provides the funds for the subsidy and the interest subsidy to the state governments and the union territories.
• The state governments and the union territories designate the nodal departments and the nodal agencies for the implementation and monitoring of the scheme. The nodal departments are usually the Department of Women and Child Development or the Department of Social Welfare. The nodal agencies are usually the State Women Development Corporation or the State Rural Livelihood Mission.
• The nodal departments and the nodal agencies appoint the district level and the block level officers for the coordination and supervision of the scheme. The district level officers are usually the District Programme Officers (DPOs) or the District Social Welfare Officers (DSWOs). The block level officers are usually the Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) or the Block Development Officers (BDOs).
• The Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and the Medical Officers (MOs) are the frontline workers who are responsible for the identification, registration, verification, approval, sanction, disbursement, and reporting of the beneficiaries under the scheme. The AWWs work at the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) and the MOs work at the approved health facilities.
• The scheme uses the online portal, which is https://pmmvy-cas.nic.in/, for the application, verification, approval, sanction, disbursement, and tracking of the beneficiaries. The portal is linked with the Aadhaar database, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) platform, and the India Post service for the authentication, payment, and delivery of the cash incentive. The portal also generates the reports and the dashboards for the monitoring and evaluation of the scheme.
• The scheme is monitored and evaluated by the National Level Empowered Committee (NLEC) and the State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC). The NLEC is chaired by the Secretary of the MWCD and comprises of the representatives of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Rural Development, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Finance, the NITI Aayog, and the NPCI. The SLEC is chaired by the Principal Secretary of the nodal department and comprises of the representatives of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the Department of Rural Development, the Department of Panchayati Raj, the Department of Finance, the State Women Development Corporation, the State Rural Livelihood Mission, and the NPCI. The NLEC and the SLEC review the progress and the performance of the scheme and suggest the corrective measures and the best practices for the improvement of the scheme.

Success Stories of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana has benefited many pregnant women and lactating mothers in India. Some of the success stories of the scheme are:

• Sunita Devi, a 22-year-old woman from Jharkhand, who received the cash incentive of Rs. 5000/- under the scheme. She used the money to buy nutritious food and medicines for herself and her child. She also attended the antenatal check-ups and the immunization sessions at the AWC. She delivered a healthy baby boy at the hospital and received the cash assistance of Rs. 1000/- under the JSY. She now feeds her child exclusively with breast milk and follows the advice of the AWW and the MO. She is happy and grateful for the scheme and says that it has helped her to take care of herself and her child.
• Rekha Kumari, a 25-year-old woman from Bihar, who received the cash incentive of Rs. 5000/- under the scheme. She used the money to buy a sewing machine and started her own tailoring business. She also attended the antenatal check-ups and the immunization sessions at the health facility. She delivered a healthy baby girl at the hospital and received the cash assistance of Rs. 1000/- under the JSY. She now feeds her child exclusively with breast milk and follows the advice of the AWW and the MO. She also earns a monthly income of Rs. 3000/- from her tailoring business and supports her family. She is proud and confident of herself and says that the scheme has helped her to become an entrepreneur and a mother.
• Pooja Sharma, a 28-year-old woman from Rajasthan, who received the cash incentive of Rs. 5000/- under the scheme. She used the money to buy a laptop and started her own online tutoring service. She also attended the antenatal check-ups and the immunization sessions at the health facility. She delivered a healthy baby boy at the hospital and received the cash assistance of Rs. 1000/- under the JSY. She now feeds her child exclusively with breast milk and follows the advice of the AWW and the MO. She also earns a monthly income of Rs. 5000/- from her online tutoring service and educates her students. She is happy and satisfied with herself and says that the scheme has helped her to pursue her passion and profession.

Challenges and Limitations of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a commendable initiative by the government of India to ensure the welfare and dignity of the women and the children in the country. However, the scheme also faces some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed and overcome. Some of the challenges and limitations of the scheme are:

• The scheme is not universal and excludes the women who are regular employees of the central or state government or any public sector undertaking or any autonomous body receiving budgetary support from the government. The scheme is also not applicable for the women who are covered under any other maternity benefit scheme, such as the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) or the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). This creates a disparity and discrimination among the women and deprives them of the benefits of the scheme.
• The scheme is not adequate and sufficient to meet the needs and demands of the pregnant women and lactating mothers. The cash incentive of Rs. 5000/- (in three instalments) is much lower than the recommended amount of Rs. 6000/- per month by the National Food Security Act, 2013. The cash incentive is also not enough to cover the expenses of the food, medicines, transport, and other essentials for the mother and the child. The cash incentive is also not linked with the inflation and the cost of living and does not reflect the changing economic scenario.
• The scheme is not effective and efficient in reaching out to the beneficiaries and delivering the services. The scheme faces various issues such as the lack of awareness, the delay in the registration, the verification, the approval, the sanction, and the disbursement of the cash incentive, the non-availability of the Aadhaar card or the bank or post office account, the technical glitches and the errors in the online portal, the poor coordination and the communication among the scheme authorities and the frontline workers, the corruption and the leakage of the funds, the misuse and the diversion of the funds, the lack of the monitoring and the evaluation, the lack of the grievance redressal mechanism, etc.
• The scheme is not integrated and coordinated with the other schemes and programs related to the maternal and child health, such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the National Health Mission (NHM), the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY), the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), etc. The scheme does not have a convergence and a synergy with the other schemes and programs and does not leverage the existing resources and infrastructure. The scheme also does not have a holistic and a comprehensive approach to address the multiple dimensions and the determinants of the maternal and child health, such as the education, the sanitation, the hygiene, the environment, the gender, the social security, etc.

Future Scope and Prospects of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana has a lot of potential and scope to improve the lives and the livelihoods of the pregnant women and lactating mothers in India. The scheme can be further enhanced and expanded by taking the following steps:

• The scheme should be made universal and inclusive and cover all the pregnant women and lactating mothers irrespective of their employment status or their coverage under any other maternity benefit scheme. The scheme should also cover the women who have more than two living children and the women who have miscarriages or stillbirths. The scheme should also cover the women who are living in the remote and the inaccessible areas and the women who are facing the situations of conflict and disaster.
• The scheme should be made adequate and sufficient and increase the amount and the frequency of the cash incentive. The cash incentive should be at least Rs. 6000/- per month as per the National Food Security Act, 2013. The cash incentive should also be linked with the inflation and the cost of living and reflect the changing economic scenario. The cash incentive should also be paid in monthly instalments instead of three instalments and should start from the first trimester of the pregnancy and continue till the first year of the lactation.
• The scheme should be made effective and efficient and streamline the processes and the procedures of the scheme. The scheme should simplify and expedite the registration, the verification, the approval, the sanction, and the disbursement of the cash incentive. The scheme should also ensure the availability and the accessibility of the Aadhaar card and the bank or post office account for the beneficiaries. The scheme should also improve and upgrade the online portal and the payment system of the scheme. The scheme should also strengthen and capacitate the scheme authorities and the frontline workers and ensure their accountability and transparency. The scheme should also establish and implement a robust and responsive monitoring and evaluation and grievance redressal mechanism.
• The scheme should be integrated and coordinated with the other schemes and programs related to the maternal and child health. The scheme should have a convergence and a synergy with the other schemes and programs and leverage the existing resources and infrastructure. The scheme should also have a holistic and a comprehensive approach to address the multiple dimensions and the determinants of the maternal and child health. The scheme should also involve and engage the stakeholders and the partners from the government, the private sector, the civil society, the media, the academia, the community, etc.

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a maternity benefit program that provides cash incentives and health services to the pregnant women and lactating mothers in India. The scheme aims to ensure food security and to create a hunger-free India. The scheme also aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and to improve the health and well-being of the mother and the child. The scheme also aims to enhance the social status and empowerment of the women and to promote institutional delivery and early registration of pregnancy.

The scheme has helped many women and children to overcome the challenges and difficulties that they face during this crucial period of their lives. The scheme has also contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to maternal and child health, gender equality, and poverty reduction. The scheme is a commendable initiative by the government of India to ensure the welfare and dignity of the women and the children in the country.

FAQs on the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

What is the official website of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The official website of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is https://pmmvy-cas.nic.in/.

What is the helpline number of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The helpline number of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is 011-23382393.

What is the last date to apply for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The last date to apply for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is not fixed. The scheme is open throughout the year. However, the applicants are advised to register themselves under the scheme within 150 days of the last menstrual period (LMP) or before the delivery of the child.

What are the types of cash incentives provided under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The types of cash incentives provided under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are as follows:

• The first instalment of Rs. 1000/- is paid after the registration of pregnancy and at least one antenatal check-up (ANC).
• The second instalment of Rs. 2000/- is paid after six months of pregnancy and at least one more ANC and the receipt of the tetanus toxoid injection and iron-folic acid tablets.
• The third instalment of Rs. 2000/- is paid after the delivery of the child and the registration of the birth and the completion of the first cycle of immunization of the child.

What are the documents required for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The documents required for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are as follows:

• Aadhaar card or Aadhaar enrolment slip
• Bank or post office account details
• Mobile number
• Mother-child protection card or Janani Suraksha Yojana card
• Medical records and certificates
• Any other document as required by the scheme

How to check the status of the application for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The status of the application for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana can be checked online through the official website of the scheme, which is https://pmmvy-cas.nic.in/. The applicants have to login to their account and enter their application number and other details to access their status. The applicants can also contact the helpline number of the scheme, which is 011-23382393, for any query or grievance.

How long does it take to get the cash incentive under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The cash incentive under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is transferred directly to the bank or post office account of the beneficiary within 30 days of the fulfilment of the conditions for each instalment. The beneficiary will receive an SMS notification on their registered mobile number when the amount is credited to their account.

How to avail the health and nutrition services under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The health and nutrition services under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are provided through the existing public health system. The beneficiary has to visit the nearest Anganwadi Centre (AWC) or the approved health facility for the antenatal check-ups, delivery care, postnatal care, immunization, counselling, etc. The beneficiary has to show their mother-child protection card or Janani Suraksha Yojana card to avail the services. The beneficiary will also receive supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, early childhood education, etc. through the AWCs and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

What are the types of beneficiaries covered under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The types of beneficiaries covered under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are as follows:

• Pregnant women: The women who are pregnant and have registered themselves under the scheme within 150 days of the last menstrual period (LMP) or before the delivery of the child.
• Lactating mothers: The women who have delivered a child and have registered the birth of the child and completed the first cycle of immunization of the child.
• Adoptive mothers: The women who have legally adopted a child below the age of six months and have registered the adoption of the child and completed the first cycle of immunization of the child.
• Commissioning mothers: The women who have given birth to a child through surrogacy and have registered the birth of the child and completed the first cycle of immunization of the child.

What are the exclusions under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The exclusions under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are as follows:

• The women who are below the age of 19 years.
• The women who are not residents of India or do not have a valid Aadhaar card or Aadhaar enrolment slip.
• The women who do not have a bank or post office account in their name or jointly with their husband.
• The women who have more than two living children. The scheme is applicable only for the first or second live birth of the child.
• The women who are regular employees of the central or state government or any public sector undertaking or any autonomous body receiving budgetary support from the government. The scheme is also not applicable for the women who are covered under any other maternity benefit scheme, such as the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) or the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).

How to register for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The registration for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana can be done online or offline. The online registration can be done through the official website of the scheme, which is https://pmmvy-cas.nic.in/. The offline registration can be done through the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) or the approved health facilities. The applicants have to fill up the registration form with the required details and documents and submit it to the concerned authorities. The applicants have to register themselves under the scheme within 150 days of the last menstrual period (LMP) or before the delivery of the child.

How to download the application form and the registration form for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The application form and the registration form for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana can be downloaded from the official website of the scheme, which is https://pmmvy-cas.nic.in/. The applicants have to click on the “Download Forms” option on the homepage and select the desired form. The forms are available in Hindi and English languages. The applicants can also get the forms from the AWCs or the health facilities.

What are the modes of payment for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The modes of payment for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are as follows:

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The cash incentive is transferred directly to the bank or post office account of the beneficiary through the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) platform. The beneficiary will receive an SMS notification on their registered mobile number when the amount is credited to their account.
• Postal Money Order (PMO): The cash incentive is sent to the beneficiary through the postal money order service of the India Post. The beneficiary will receive a receipt from the postman when the amount is delivered to their address.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The roles and responsibilities of the Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are as follows:

• The AWWs have to identify and register the eligible beneficiaries under the scheme and provide them with the application form and the registration form.
• The AWWs have to verify and upload the documents and the details of the beneficiaries on the online portal of the scheme or submit them to the health facility.
• The AWWs have to provide the health and nutrition services to the beneficiaries through the AWCs and the ICDS. The services include antenatal check-ups, tetanus toxoid injection, iron-folic acid tablets, delivery care, postnatal care, immunization, counselling, etc. The AWWs have to update the records and the progress of the beneficiaries on the mother-child protection card or the JSY card.
• The AWWs have to monitor and report the status and the grievances of the beneficiaries to the scheme authorities. The AWWs have to ensure the timely and smooth payment of the cash incentive to the beneficiaries.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the Medical Officers (MOs) under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

The roles and responsibilities of the Medical Officers (MOs) under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are as follows:

• The MOs have to verify and approve the applications and the documents of the beneficiaries submitted by the AWWs or the online portal of the scheme.
• The MOs have to sanction and disburse the cash incentive to the beneficiaries through the DBT or the PMO mode of payment.
• The MOs have to provide the health and nutrition services to the beneficiaries through the health facilities. The services include antenatal check-ups, tetanus toxoid injection, iron-folic acid tablets, delivery care, postnatal care, immunization, counselling, etc. The MOs have to update the records and the progress of the beneficiaries on the mother-child protection card or the JSY card.
• The MOs have to monitor and evaluate the performance and the impact of the scheme. The MOs have to submit the monthly and quarterly reports to the scheme authorities.

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