Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana:  Govt Offers Rs. 5,000 For First-Time Mothers; How To Apply

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has been launched by the central government to support pregnant women and reduce the financial burden of pre- and post-natal care. Launched under the Mission Shakti, this welfare scheme provides financial support to pregnant and lactating mothers to improve their health and nutrition.

Here are the details of the scheme and how one can apply to enrol in the scheme.

What is Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana?

PMMVY, launched in 2017, is a scheme which provides cash incentives for partial compensation to pregnant women and lactating mothers from socially and economically disadvantaged sections. Under this scheme, first-time mothers are paid Rs. 5,000 with the objective of providing optimal health and nutrition for the mother and child. This partial compensation is aimed to serve to reduce wage loss so that the woman can take adequate rest before and after the delivery of the first child.

The scheme also compensates a mother in case the second child is a girl, paying Rs. 6,000. This is meant to incentivise and balance out the sex ratio, and bring a behavioural change towards a girl child. The scheme also aims to improve prenatal and postnatal care for mothers so that more women can access healthcare.

Some of the criteria mentioned to avail the scheme are women from the scheduled castes or the scheduled tribes. Women who are partially disabled, i.e., 40 per cent or more or fully disabled can avail the scheme. Women holding a BPL (below poverty line) ration card, women with an MGNREGA Job Card, or those whose net family income is less than Rs. 8 lakh per year can avail benefits under this scheme. Women beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY) under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, or those who hold a Kisan Samman Nidhi card or an E-Shram card, can also apply for the scheme. The benefits of the scheme can also be availed by pregnant and lactating Anganwadi Workers, Anganwadi Helpers, and Accredited Social Health Activists.

Women who are in regular employment with the central or state governments, or a public sector undertaking, cannot avail themselves of the benefits of the scheme. Women who are already receiving similar benefits cannot apply for benefits under PMMVY.

This benefit is available to women only for the first two living children, provided that the second child is a girl. For the first child, the woman will receive Rs. 5,000 in two instalments. First Rs. 3,000 is received on registration of pregnancy and at least one antenatal check-up within 6 months from the last date of menstruation at the Anganwadi centre. The woman can also avail health facilities which may be identified by the respective administering state or union territory. The second instalment for the first child is received after the birth of the child and after they have received the first cycle of BCG, OPV,DPT and Hepatitis-B or its equivalent substitute vaccination.

For the second child, the benefit of Rs. 6,000 is paid in one instalment after the birth of the girl child. To avail the benefits in case of a girl child, registration during pregnancy shall be mandatory. The benefits can only be availed on the basis of the Aadhaar number of the mother to avoid any duplication or malpractices.

How to apply?

Women can apply for this scheme either online or offline. Here’s a step-by-step guide to apply online.

Visit the official portal of PMMVY at pmmvy.wcd.gov.in. Put the mobile number on the portal and verify through the one-time password generated. Enter name, address, other information required and log in. Once you fill out the PMMVY application form, there will be a provision to upload the necessary documents. The application must be made within 270 days of childbirth to receive the benefit.

For an offline application, one can fill out the application form and submit it at the nearest Anganwadi Centre or local health centre.