The government's Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women. Learn how to benefit from the scheme, ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹6,000, and what your eligibility requirements are.

PMMVY : If you or a woman in your family is pregnant, a government scheme can be very helpful. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) provides financial assistance to eligible pregnant and lactating women. The scheme aims to help with nutrition during pregnancy, health checkups, and better care for mother and child after delivery.

₹5,000 for the first child, ₹6,000 for the second daughter

Under PMMVY, a total of ₹5,000 is provided in two installments to eligible women for their first surviving child. However, if the second child is a daughter, the eligible woman receives a single installment of ₹6,000. This money is transferred directly to her bank or post office account via DBT.

What to do for the first installment

To receive the first installment of ₹3,000 for the first child, pregnancy registration and completion of at least two antenatal checkups (ANC) are required. For the second installment, the birth must be registered and the child must have completed the first vaccination cycle by 14 weeks.

₹6,000 if the second child is a daughter

If a woman's second child is a daughter, assistance of ₹6,000 is provided under PMMVY. This requires pregnancy registration, at least two ANC check-ups, birth registration, and completion of the first immunization cycle by 14 weeks.

Which women can get the benefit

This scheme is not unconditional for every pregnant woman. The government has established certain eligibility categories. These include women from the SC and ST categories, women with 40% or more disability, women holding BPL ration cards, women beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, women holding e-Shram cards, women farmers receiving PM-KISAN benefits, women holding MGNREGA job cards, and women holding NFSA ration cards. Furthermore, women whose family annual net income is less than ₹8 lakh may also be eligible, subject to certain conditions.

Different rules for women government employees

Before availing the scheme, it is also important to check whether a woman is already receiving similar maternity benefits. According to government information, eligibility for PMMVY is based on prescribed categories and criteria. Therefore, simply being pregnant does not guarantee scheme benefits.

How to apply

Eligible women can apply online with the help of their nearest Anganwadi worker or ASHA worker. Eligible women can also apply themselves through the government's PMMVY portal. Linking your bank or post office account to Aadhaar is crucial for application and payment, as the funds are transferred through DBT.

Till now crores of women have benefited

This isn't just a scheme on paper. According to the latest government data, as of July 31, 2026, 51.3 million beneficiaries have been registered under PMMVY, and payments have been made to 43.7 million beneficiaries. A total of ₹20,571 crore has been disbursed.

Rules also apply in case of miscarriage or stillbirth.

The government has made provisions for such a situation. According to PMMVY rules, in the event of a miscarriage or stillbirth, a woman can be considered eligible as a new beneficiary in a future pregnancy, provided she meets the scheme's prescribed conditions at that time.

Keep in mind, not every woman gets ₹6,000 straight away

It's important to understand one thing clearly about this scheme. PMMVY doesn't provide every woman with ₹5,000 or ₹6,000 per month. This is a maternity benefit scheme that provides ₹5,000 for the first child and ₹6,000 for the second child, a girl, if the eligibility and health requirements are met. Therefore, before applying, be sure to check your eligibility and the required documents.

What is the purpose of the government's plan?

The objective of PMMVY is not just to provide financial assistance. According to the government, the scheme helps pregnant women by providing them with the necessary rest and nutrition during pregnancy, promoting the use of health services, and improving the health of both mother and child. The scheme is being implemented under the "Samarthya" component of Mission Shakti.