Ladli Behna 37th instalment: MP CM Yadav transfers ₹1,835 crore to 1.25 crore women
Synopsis
For the 37th straight month, Madhya Pradesh transferred ₹1,835 crore to more than 1.25 crore women in a single click — making Ladli Behna one of India's largest recurring state-level cash transfer programmes. Paired with ₹190.85 crore in local infrastructure projects, the Kesli event signals the BJP government's dual-track strategy of welfare and development heading into the political calendar.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Yadav released the 37th instalment of Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana on 14 June . ₹1,835 crore transferred directly to more than 1.25 crore women across Madhya Pradesh .
Each eligible beneficiary received ₹1,500 via direct bank transfer.
53 development projects worth ₹190.85 crore were launched or inaugurated in Deori Assembly constituency, Sagar district .
Scheme eligibility: women aged 21–60 , family income below ₹2.5 lakh , landholding under 5 acres , no government employee or four-wheeler in the family.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday, 14 June released the 37th instalment of the state's flagship Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana, transferring ₹1,835 crore directly into the bank accounts of more than 1.25 crore beneficiary women across the state. The disbursement, executed with a single click at a public event in Kesli, underscores the scheme's scale as one of the country's largest direct benefit transfer programmes targeting women's financial empowerment.
Key Developments at Kesli
The event was held at Kesli in the Deori Assembly constituency of Sagar district, where CM Yadav transferred ₹1,500 to each eligible beneficiary through direct benefit transfer. On the same occasion, the Chief Minister gifted the constituency 53 development projects worth approximately ₹190.85 crore. Of these, 28 new projects costing ₹122.02 crore received ground-breaking ceremonies, while 25 completed projects valued at ₹68.83 crore were formally inaugurated.
Who the Scheme Covers
The Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana is aimed at women from economically weaker sections who are permanent residents of Madhya Pradesh. Eligibility conditions include a family annual income below ₹2.5 lakh, no family member in government service, agricultural landholding not exceeding five acres, and no four-wheeled vehicle owned by the family. Married, widowed, abandoned, and divorced women between 21 and 60 years of age are eligible to apply.
Political Backdrop
Addressing the gathering of women beneficiaries, CM Yadav launched a sharp attack on the Indian National Congress, alleging that the party had historically done little for women's economic upliftment. Critics from the opposition have, in turn, questioned the long-term fiscal sustainability of the scheme. This comes amid a broader national trend of state governments deploying direct cash transfer programmes ahead of electoral cycles.
Impact and What Comes Next
The scheme has now completed 37 consecutive monthly instalments, making it one of the more consistent welfare disbursements at the state level in recent years. The 53 infrastructure projects announced alongside the transfer are expected to improve public amenities and local connectivity in the Sagar district region. The government has indicated that disbursements will continue on a monthly basis, with eligibility reviews conducted periodically.
Point of View
But the Ladli Behna Yojana's political utility is now inseparable from its welfare purpose — a distinction worth tracking. The ₹1,500 monthly transfer lifts household liquidity for women in the lowest income brackets, yet critics note that without accompanying skilling or livelihood components, cash transfers alone rarely shift structural poverty indicators. Madhya Pradesh's fiscal position will also face scrutiny: sustaining ₹1,800-plus crore every month demands either buoyant state revenues or Centre transfers. The scheme's durability beyond the next election cycle is the real test of whether this is policy or politics.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana?
It is a Madhya Pradesh government scheme that provides monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500 to women from economically weaker sections via direct bank transfer. The programme targets married, widowed, abandoned, and divorced women between 21 and 60 years of age who meet specific income and asset criteria.
How much was transferred in the 37th instalment of Ladli Behna Yojana?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav transferred ₹1,835 crore in the 37th instalment on 14 June, reaching more than 1.25 crore women across Madhya Pradesh. Each beneficiary received ₹1,500 directly into her bank account.
Who is eligible for the Ladli Behna Yojana?
Permanent women residents of Madhya Pradesh aged 21 to 60 — including married, widowed, abandoned, and divorced women — are eligible, provided their family's annual income is below ₹2.5 lakh, no family member is in government service, the family holds no more than five acres of agricultural land, and the family does not own a four-wheeled vehicle.
What development projects were announced at the Kesli event?
CM Yadav announced 53 development projects worth approximately ₹190.85 crore for the Deori Assembly constituency in Sagar district. This included ground-breaking ceremonies for 28 new projects costing ₹122.02 crore and the inauguration of 25 completed projects valued at ₹68.83 crore.
How does Ladli Behna Yojana compare to similar schemes in other states?
Several Indian states run direct cash transfer schemes for women, but Madhya Pradesh's Ladli Behna stands out for its scale — over 1.25 crore beneficiaries — and consistency, having completed 37 consecutive monthly disbursements. Similar programmes include Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin Yojana and Jharkhand's Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana, reflecting a broader national trend of state-level women-focused welfare transfers.
