Why has the government extended the registration drive for PMMVY?
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Synopsis
In a significant move, the Union government has extended the special registration drive for the PMMVY until August 15, aiming to support pregnant and lactating women. This initiative offers crucial financial assistance, ensuring better health for mothers and their children. Discover the details about this essential program and its impact on maternal health in India.
Key Takeaways
- Registration drive extended until August 15.
- Financial support for pregnant and lactating women.
- Over 4.05 crore beneficiaries have received support.
- Cash incentives of Rs 5,000 for the first child.
- Direct Benefit Transfer ensures timely delivery of funds.
New Delhi, Aug 4 (NationPress) The Union government has decided to prolong the special registration initiative for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which grants financial support to pregnant and lactating women, until August 15, as announced by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on Monday.
Initially launched in 2010 and subsequently renamed in 2017, the PMMVY scheme aims to provide financial aid to enhance nutritious diets and promote health-seeking behavior among pregnant and lactating mothers, while also fostering positive attitudes toward the girl child.
The PMMVY offers cash incentives to compensate for wage losses, allowing mothers to rest before and after delivering their first child.
As of July 31, over 4.05 crore beneficiaries have received maternity benefits (at least one installment), totaling Rs 19,028 crore, delivered through direct benefit transfer to their bank or post office accounts, the Ministry reported.
The ongoing door-to-door awareness and enrollment campaign, spearheaded by Anganwadi and ASHA workers, aims to connect with all eligible pregnant and lactating women to ensure their timely registration under the scheme.
PMMVY is a centrally sponsored initiative under Mission Shakti’s sub-scheme 'Samarthya', providing direct financial support via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method.
Under PMMVY, a cash incentive of Rs 5,000 is provided in two installments for the first child, while Rs 6,000 is offered in a single installment post-birth for the second girl child, in line with Mission Shakti Scheme Guidelines.
The scheme's objective also includes enhancing health-seeking behavior among pregnant and lactating mothers to ensure improved maternal and child health outcomes nationwide.
Implementation of the scheme is managed by state officials through their field functionaries utilizing the newly launched Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Software (PMMVYSoft) in March 2023.
With PMMVYSoft, Aadhaar authentication via UIDAI is performed digitally, ensuring verification through the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) so funds are directly credited to their DBT-enabled Aadhaar-linked bank or post office accounts.
The ministry highlighted that several reforms have been introduced on the PMMVY portal, enhancing delivery and expanding the scheme's coverage, including an integrated grievance module, a multi-lingual and toll-free PMMVY helpline (14408), Aadhaar-based biometric authentication using a facial recognition system, and a due-list of potential PMMVY beneficiaries.
Point of View
I firmly believe that this extension of the PMMVY registration drive is a commendable step by the government. It underscores the commitment towards enhancing maternal health and empowering women across the nation. Initiatives like these are crucial for promoting well-being and ensuring that every mother can access the support she needs.
NationPress
06/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PMMVY scheme?
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a government initiative that provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women, promoting health and nutrition for mothers and their children.
Who is eligible for the PMMVY benefits?
Eligible beneficiaries include pregnant and lactating women, particularly those expecting their first child and second girl child, who can register for cash incentives.
How much financial assistance does PMMVY provide?
The PMMVY provides a cash incentive of Rs 5,000 in two installments for the first child and Rs 6,000 in one installment for the second girl child.
How can women register for PMMVY?
Women can register for the PMMVY through a door-to-door awareness-cum-enrollment campaign led by Anganwadi and ASHA workers.
How does the Direct Benefit Transfer work?
Benefits are transferred directly to the beneficiaries' Aadhaar-linked bank or post office accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
