Nationwide Drive Extended: PMMVY Boosts Maternal Health with Cash Incentives

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has extended the special registration drive for Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) until August 15, 2025, as per an official announcement on Tuesday. The ongoing campaign, spearheaded by Anganwadi and ASHA workers, focuses on enrolling eligible pregnant and lactating women to ensure participation in the scheme.

PMMVY offers financial aid to support nutritious diets and boost health-seeking behavior among pregnant and lactating mothers. It also aims to foster positive attitudes towards the girl child. The scheme provides cash incentives as compensation for wage loss, allowing mothers to rest pre- and post-delivery. Since its inception, PMMVY has reached over 4.05 crore beneficiaries, disbursing a total of Rs 19,028 crore via direct benefit transfer.

Under the PMMVY, a cash incentive of Rs 5,000 is given in two installments for the first child, while Rs 6,000 is allotted in one installment for the second girl child, aligning with the Mission Shakti Scheme Guidelines. The initiative aims to enhance health-seeking behaviors and deliver better maternal and child health outcomes nationwide through the newly launched PMMVY Software. This software ensures digital Aadhaar authentication and direct fund transfers to beneficiaries' bank accounts.

(With inputs from agencies.)