The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit program launched by the Government of India to provide financial support to pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

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The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit program launched by the Government of India to provide financial support to pregnant women and lactating mothers. Learn about the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a maternity benefit program in India that empowers pregnant women and lactating mothers. Eligibility, benefits, application process, and FAQs are all covered.

Introduction

The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched in 2017, is a flagship initiative by the Government of India. This centrally sponsored scheme aims to improve the health and well-being of both mothers and children belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged sections of society. By providing financial assistance during pregnancy and lactation, PMMVY empowers women and encourages better prenatal and postnatal care.

The scheme aims to improve the health and nutrition status of pregnant women and lactating mothers, as well as their infants, by providing cash incentives for early registration of pregnancy, antenatal care, and institutional delivery.

Understanding Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

PMMVY is a conditional cash transfer scheme that provides financial assistance of ₹5,000 in three installments to pregnant women and lactating mothers. The installments are disbursed at specific stages:

  1. First installment: Upon registration of pregnancy at the Anganwadi Centre (AWC) or designated medical facility within the first four months of pregnancy.
  2. Second installment: After completing six months of pregnancy.
  3. Third installment: After the child completes its first vaccination cycle at six months of age.

Here are the key features of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana:

  • Eligible women receive a cash benefit of ₹5,000 in three installments upon meeting specific conditions related to their pregnancy and childbirth.
  • The scheme covers all pregnant women and lactating mothers, excluding those who are in regular employment with the Central Government or State Government Public Sector Undertakings or those who receive similar benefits under any law for the time being in force.
  • The cash benefits are provided for the first living child only.
  • The benefits are transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
  • The scheme is implemented using the platform of the Anganwadi Services scheme of Umbrella ICDS, the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) component of the National Health Mission (NHM), and the Health & Nutrition Extension Programme.

Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
  • Financial Support: PMMVY offers financial assistance of ₹5,000 for the first living child and ₹6,000 for the second living child (if a girl) in a phased manner. This helps to meet pregnancy-related expenses and compensate for potential wage loss during maternity leave.
  • Improved Maternal Health: The financial aid encourages pregnant women to register for antenatal checkups, deliveries in health institutions, and postnatal care. This can lead to a reduction in maternal mortality and morbidity rates.
  • Enhanced Child Health: By ensuring better maternal health, PMMVY indirectly contributes to improved child health outcomes. Proper prenatal care and nutrition during pregnancy lead to healthier babies with a stronger immune system.
  • Reduced Malnutrition: The financial assistance allows mothers to afford nutritious food for themselves and their newborns, promoting better physical and cognitive development.

Eligibility for Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

To be eligible for PMMVY, a woman must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a citizen of India.
  • Be pregnant with her first child or second child (if a girl).
  • Be aged 19 years or above.
  • Belong to a household registered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
  • Not be a recipient of similar maternity benefits under any other government scheme.

Ineligibility

  1. he beneficiary’s husband’s Aadhaar is not mandatory for availing the benefits under the Scheme.
  2. All pregnant women and lactating mothers in regular employment with the Central Government or State Government or Public Sector Undertaking or those who are in receipt of similar benefits under any law for the time being in force shall not be entitled to benefits under PMMVY.

Application Process for Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

The application process for PMMVY is relatively simple:

  1. Registration: Pregnant women can register themselves at their nearest Anganwadi center or designated healthcare facility.

The registration process for the PMMVY scheme can be done either online or offline. Here are the steps to register online:

  • Visit the official PMMVY website (https://pmmvy-cas.nic.in)
  • Click on the “Beneficiary Registration” link
  • Fill in the required details such as name, age, address, bank account information, and Aadhaar number
  • Upload the necessary documents
  • Submit the application form

For offline registration, the beneficiary can visit the nearest Anganwadi Center (AWC) or approved health facility and submit the duly filled application form along with the required documents.

  1. Document Submission: Required documents like Aadhaar card, ration card, pregnancy certificate, and bank account details need to be submitted.
  2. Verification: The application undergoes verification by concerned authorities.
  3. Disbursement: Upon successful verification, the financial assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account in installments.

The PMMVY scheme has been instrumental in improving the health and nutrition status of pregnant women and lactating mothers in India. According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the scheme has benefited over 1.5 crore women since its inception in 2017.

Required Documents

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

To apply for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) scheme, the following documents are required:

  • Duly filled Application Form 1A
  • Copy of Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card
  • Copy of Identity Proof (Aadhaar card, voter ID, ration card, etc.)
  • Copy of Bank/Post Office Account Passbook showing name, account number and bank name
  • Copy of Aadhaar card of beneficiary and husband (mandatory in all states except J&K, Assam, Meghalaya)
  • Copy of Identity card of beneficiary and husband (in case Aadhaar is not available)
  • Copy of Aadhaar Enrolment slip of beneficiary and husband (in case Aadhaar is not available)
  • Copy of Child Birth Registration Certificate (for claiming 3rd installment)

The LMP (Last Menstrual Period) date as found in the MCP card is mandatory to claim the 1st and 2nd installments. If the LMP date is not provided, the beneficiary is not eligible to claim the installments.

Linking the beneficiary’s bank or post-office account with an Aadhaar card is important for doing a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of the cash benefit. If the account is not linked, the beneficiary can fill up and submit Form 2B for linking her bank account with Aadhaar or Form 2C for linking her post office savings account with Aadhaar before the cash benefits are due

Important Points to Remember

  • Registration for PMMVY is ideally done during the first trimester of pregnancy.
  • The first installment of ₹1,000 is credited upon registration, followed by ₹2,000 after completing six months of pregnancy and another ₹2,000 (or ₹6,000 for the second girl child) after childbirth.
  • A functional bank account linked to Aadhaar is mandatory to receive the benefit.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

While PMMVY has achieved significant success, challenges remain:

  • Reaching Out to Remote Areas: Ensuring effective information dissemination and registration processes in remote villages is crucial.
  • Addressing Social Stigmas: Tackling social stigmas surrounding women’s health and financial independence requires continuous efforts.
  • Enhancing Efficiency: Streamlining processes at registration centers and ensuring timely disbursal of funds are ongoing priorities.

How does PMMVY support lactating mothers?

The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) provides financial support to pregnant women and lactating mothers in India. Here are the key ways the scheme supports lactating mothers:

  • Eligible women receive a cash benefit of ₹5,000 in three installments upon meeting specific conditions related to their pregnancy and childbirth. This financial assistance helps compensate for wage loss and allows mothers to take adequate rest after delivery.
  • The scheme aims to improve the health and nutrition status of pregnant women and lactating mothers, as well as their infants, by providing cash incentives for antenatal care and institutional delivery. Promoting healthy practices during the lactation period contributes to the well-being of both the mother and child.
  • The cash benefits are provided directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. This ensures timely and hassle-free delivery of financial support to lactating mothers.
  • The scheme covers all pregnant women and lactating mothers, excluding those who are in regular employment with the Central Government or State Government Public Sector Undertakings or those who receive similar benefits under any law for the time being in force. This wide coverage ensures that a large number of lactating mothers can avail the benefits.
  • The revamped PMMVY scheme also provides maternity benefits of ₹6,000 for the second child, but only if the second child is a girl child. This additional incentive for the girl child promotes gender equality and empowerment of women, which is crucial for the overall development of the child and the family.

the PMMVY scheme supports lactating mothers by providing financial assistance, promoting healthy practices, ensuring timely delivery of benefits, and encouraging gender equality. These measures contribute to the well-being of both the mother and child during the critical lactation period.

What role do Anganwadi Centres play in the implementation of PMMVY?

Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) play a crucial role in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) scheme. Here are the key responsibilities of AWCs in the implementation process:

  • AWCs are the primary platform for the implementation of PMMVY. The scheme is implemented using the platform of the Anganwadi Services scheme of Umbrella ICDS under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  • Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) assist eligible beneficiaries in the application process by helping them fill out the forms, submit the required documents, and track the status of their applications.
  • AWWs provide information related to PMMVY, such as eligibility criteria, benefits, and the registration process, to the target population.
  • AWWs identify potential beneficiaries, assist them in registering under the scheme, accept and verify the application forms, and submit them for processing.
  • AWWs maintain the PMMVY register, which includes details of the beneficiaries, their payment status, and any grievances.
  • AWWs disseminate information about the beneficiary payments and assist in handling grievances related to the scheme.
  • AWWs promote the objectives of PMMVY and ensure proper maintenance of records at the AWC level.
  • AWCs serve as a platform for the convergence of services from different departments, such as Health and Panchayati Raj, through Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSND).

Anganwadi Centres and their workers play a pivotal role in the effective implementation of PMMVY by providing on-ground support to the beneficiaries, maintaining records, and coordinating with other stakeholders.

FAQs on Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

Q: Can I apply for PMMVY if I am employed? 

A: No, pregnant women already receiving maternity benefits under their employment are not eligible for PMMVY.

Q: What happens if I deliver a baby before completing six months of pregnancy?

 A: The remaining installments will be disbursed based on the Anganwadi Worker’s report and medical records.

Q: How can I track the application status? 

A: You can visit the UMANG app or the official website of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) to track your application status.

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a significant step by the Government of India towards ensuring the well-being of mothers and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. By providing financial assistance during a crucial time, PMMVY empowers women, promotes healthy pregnancy practices, and contributes to a healthier future generation.

For further information on PMMVY, you can visit the following resources:

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