Government Schemes for Pregnant Women and New Mothers in India

This content was recently updated by Sudhir Singh on May 1, 2025 to improve accuracy.

The Government of India has launched several comprehensive schemes to support pregnant women and new mothers, aiming to improve maternal health, reduce mortality, and ensure the well-being of both mother and child.

These schemes focus on providing financial assistance, quality healthcare, nutritional support, and promoting institutional deliveries.

Here’s an in-depth look at the key government schemes for pregnant women, their objectives, benefits, eligibility criteria, and how they are making a difference.

Summary Table for Major Government Schemes

Government Schemes for Pregnant Women and New Mothers

1. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

PMMVY is a flagship maternity benefit program by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It provides direct financial assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers, particularly from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, to improve their health and nutrition.

• Objective: Compensate for wage loss, encourage health-seeking behaviour, and promote exclusive breastfeeding.
• Eligibility: Pregnant women and lactating mothers for their first living child; for the second child, the benefit is provided only if the child is a girl.
• Benefits: ₹5,000 for the first child (in two installments), ₹6,000 for the second child if a girl (in one installment).
• Disbursement: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
• Application: Register at Anganwadi centers or designated government health facilities with required documents (Aadhaar, pregnancy certificate, bank details).

Installment Details:

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

Objective:
PMMVY is a centrally sponsored maternity benefit scheme aimed at providing partial wage compensation to pregnant women and lactating mothers to enable them to rest adequately during pregnancy and after delivery. It also promotes health-seeking behaviour among pregnant and lactating women.

Eligibility:

• All pregnant women and lactating mothers for their first living child.
• For the second child, the benefit is provided only if the child is a girl.
• Women must be 19 years or older.

Benefits:

• ₹5,000 for the first child (in two installments).
• ₹6,000 for the second child if it is a girl (in one installment).
• Additional benefits may be available under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for institutional delivery.

Disbursement:

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Application Process:

• Online: Register on the official PMMVY portal, fill in details, upload documents (Aadhaar, bank details, MCP Card), and submit.
• Offline: Register at the Anganwadi Centre or an approved health facility with the completed application form, MCP Card, ID proof, and bank passbook.

Impact:

• Increased utilization of maternal and child health services.
• Reduction in infant mortality and improved immunization rates.

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Objective:
JSY aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among poor pregnant women. It is part of the National Health Mission (NHM).

Eligibility:

• Pregnant women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
• Women aged 19 years or above.
• Benefits are available for up to two live births.
• Institutional delivery in government or accredited private health facilities is required.

Benefits:

• Cash incentive for institutional delivery.
• The amount varies based on state classification (Low Performing States and High Performing States) and rural/urban status.
• Additional support for postnatal care and newborn health.

Disbursement:

• Direct cash transfer to the beneficiary’s bank account.
• Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAS) play a key role in guiding and supporting beneficiaries.

Application Process:

• Online: Apply via the official JSY website, fill in the e-registration form, and upload required documents.
• Offline: Download and fill out the form, attach documents, and submit to the local ASHA or Anganwadi center.

Documents Required:

• Aadhaar card, address proof, JSY card, delivery certificate, BPL ration card, bank details, mobile number, and passport-size photo.

Impact:

• Significant increase in institutional deliveries among low-income households.
• Reduction in out-of-pocket expenses for childbirth.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)

Objective:
Launched in June 2011, JSSK aims to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for pregnant women and sick infants accessing public health institutions for delivery and treatment.

Eligibility:

• All pregnant women are admitted to government health facilities.
• All sick newborns and infants up to one year of age requiring treatment at public health institutions.

Benefits:

• Free and cashless delivery (including C-section).
• Free drugs and consumables.
• Free diagnostics and blood provision.
• Free diet during hospital stay (3 days for normal delivery, 7 days for C-section).
• Free transport (home to facility, inter-facility, and drop-back).
• Free care for sick newborns and infants up to one year.

Application Process:

• Referral by competent staff at public health facilities.
• No application fee; the process is entirely free.

Documents Required:

• Aadhaar number, address proof, domicile certificate, ration card, Janani Suraksha Card.

Impact:

• Substantial reduction in out-of-pocket expenses for institutional deliveries.
• Improved access to essential maternal and neonatal healthcare services.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

Objective:
PMSMA provides assured, comprehensive, and quality antenatal care to all pregnant women in their second and third trimesters on the 9th of every month at designated government health facilities.

Eligibility:

• All pregnant women in the second and third trimesters.

Benefits:

• Free check-ups by specialist doctors.
• Essential blood investigations and ultrasound services.
• Early detection and management of high-risk pregnancies.
• Counselling and diagnostics as part of the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) strategy.

Application Process:

• Pregnant women can visit the nearest PMSMA facility on the 9th of every month.
• A mobile/web-based application helps locate the nearest facility.

Impact:

• Improved coverage and quality of antenatal care.
• Early identification and referral of high-risk pregnancies.

Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN)

Objective:
Launched in October 2019, SUMAN aims to provide assured, dignified, respectful, and quality healthcare at no cost to every woman and newborn visiting public health facilities, with zero tolerance for denial of services.

Eligibility:

• All pregnant women, newborns, and mothers up to six months post-delivery are visiting public health facilities.

Benefits:

• At least four antenatal check-ups (including one in the first trimester and one under PMSMA).
• Six home-based newborn care visits.
• Free transport from home to health institutions and back.
• Free and zero-expense delivery and C-section in case of complications.
• Early initiation and breastfeeding support.
• Free management of sick neonates and zero-dose vaccination.
• Birth registration certificates, post-partum family planning counselling, and time-bound grievance redressal.

Application Process:

• Direct access to public health facilities; no formal application required.

Impact:

• Zero-expense, respectful, and quality maternal and newborn care.
• Reduction in preventable maternal and newborn deaths and morbidities.

Thayi Bhagya Scheme (Karnataka)

Objective:
To provide comprehensive, cashless maternal healthcare services to pregnant women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in select districts of Karnataka by leveraging public-private partnerships.

Eligibility:

• Pregnant women belonging to BPL families.
• Limited to the first two live deliveries.
• Must be residents of Karnataka, specifically in the districts of Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Bijapur, Bagalkot, and Chamarajanagar.
• Beneficiaries are identified through ANC (Antenatal Care) cards.

Benefits:

• Free and cashless delivery services (normal, complicated, cesarean, forceps) in registered private hospitals near the beneficiary’s residence.
• No charges from admission to discharge.
• Free checkups and medicines.
• Access to registered private hospitals with 24-hour availability of gynecologists, anesthetists, and pediatricians, as well as links to blood banks.

Application Process:

• Hospitals with required facilities are registered under the scheme with District Health Society approval and sign an MoU with the Department.
• Beneficiaries are identified and facilitated through local health workers and ANC cards2.

Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya)

Objective:
To improve the quality of care in labour rooms and maternity operation theatres in public health facilities, ensuring respectful and safe childbirth experiences.

Eligibility:

• All pregnant women delivering in government medical colleges, district hospitals, and designated health facilities.

Benefits:

• Enhanced quality of intrapartum and immediate postpartum care.
• Focus on respectful maternity care, infection control, and adherence to clinical protocols.
• Reduction in maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality through improved infrastructure and training.

Application Process:

• Implemented directly in government facilities; no separate registration required by beneficiaries.

Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)

Objective:
To provide partial wage compensation to pregnant and lactating women to enable them to rest adequately during pregnancy and after delivery, and to promote health-seeking behaviour.

Eligibility:

• Pregnant and lactating women (excluding those already receiving similar benefits from central/state government employment).
• For the first two live births.

Benefits:

• Cash incentive of ₹6,000, generally disbursed in installments upon fulfilling specific maternal and child health conditions (such as antenatal checkups, immunization, and birth registration).

Application Process:

• Registration at Anganwadi centers or designated health facilities with necessary documents (ID, pregnancy certificate, bank details).

Note:

• IGMSY has been subsumed under PMMVY in many states, but the structure and intent remain similar.

Kasturba Poshan Sahay Yojana (KPSY) (Gujarat)

Objective:
To provide financial assistance to pregnant women from BPL, Scheduled Caste, and Scheduled Tribe families to improve maternal nutrition and reduce infant and maternal mortality.

Eligibility:

• Pregnant women from BPL, SC, and ST families in Gujarat.
• For the first two live deliveries.

Benefits:

• Financial assistance of ₹6,000, disbursed in installments for antenatal care, institutional delivery, and postnatal care.

Application Process:

• Registration at local health centers or Anganwadi centers with proof of eligibility (BPL card, caste certificate, pregnancy certificate, bank details).

Mamta Scheme (Odisha)

Objective:
To provide partial wage compensation and improve health and nutrition outcomes among pregnant and lactating women in Odisha.

Eligibility:

• Pregnant and lactating women from BPL, SC, and ST families in Odisha.
• For the first two live births.

Benefits:

• Cash assistance of ₹5,000, released in two installments upon fulfilling conditions such as antenatal checkups, institutional delivery, and child immunization.

Application Process:

• Registration at Anganwadi centers or government health facilities with necessary documents (BPL card, pregnancy certificate, bank details).

Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme (Tamil Nadu)

Objective:
To provide financial assistance and optimal nutrition to poor pregnant and lactating women, and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.

Eligibility:

• Pregnant mothers aged 19 years and above.
• Benefits available for up to two deliveries.
• Must register pregnancy before 12 weeks with a Village Health Nurse (VHN) or Urban Health Nurse (UHN).

Benefits:

• Total financial assistance of ₹18,000, disbursed in five installments.
• Two nutrition kits provided (including health mix powder, iron syrup, dates, protein biscuits, ghee, albendazole, and a towel).
• Installments are linked to antenatal registration, completion of pregnancy milestones, delivery, and infant immunization stages.

Application Process:

• Register pregnancy early at any PHC/UPHC or with VHN/UHN.

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Objective:
To reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.

Eligibility:

• Pregnant women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, aged 19 years or above.
• Benefits are available for up to two live births.
• Delivery must occur in a government or accredited private health facility.

Benefits:

• Cash incentive for institutional delivery.
• Amount varies by state and rural/urban status.
• Additional support for postnatal care.

Application Process:

• Apply through ASHA workers, Anganwadi centers, or government health facilities.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)

Objective:
To eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for pregnant women and sick infants accessing public health institutions.

Eligibility:

• All pregnant women are admitted to government health facilities.
• All sick newborns and infants up to one year of age.

Benefits:

• Free and cashless delivery (including C-section).
• Free drugs, diagnostics, diet, and blood provision.
• Free transport (home to facility, inter-facility, and drop-back).
• Free care for sick newborns and infants up to one year.

Application Process:

• Access services directly at public health facilities; no formal application required.

These schemes, implemented at both national and state levels, collectively aim to ensure financial support, quality healthcare, and improved nutrition for pregnant women and new mothers across India.

Conclusion

Government schemes for pregnant women and new mothers in India are comprehensive, covering financial, medical, and nutritional needs. By promoting institutional deliveries, providing quality healthcare, and supporting women financially, these programs play a crucial role in improving maternal and child health outcomes. Awareness and effective implementation of these schemes are essential for empowering women, reducing maternal and infant mortality, and building a healthier nation.

Key Takeaway:

• Schemes like PMMVY, JSY, JSSK, PMSMA, and SUMAN provide holistic support to pregnant women and new mothers.
• Financial incentives, free healthcare, nutrition, and immunization are central to these programs.
• The focus is on reducing maternal and newborn mortality, empowering women, and ensuring every mother and child receives quality care.

For more information or to apply, visit your nearest Anganwadi center or government health facility. Stay informed, stay healthy!