Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), 5.37 million beneficiaries received maternity benefits during the financial year 2023-24, as per data from the PMMVY portal. The scheme, implemented under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, provides financial assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers, except those in government employment or receiving similar benefits under other laws.

 

Eligible beneficiaries receive Rs 5,000 during pregnancy and lactation, with additional cash incentives under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for institutional deliveries, ensuring a total maternity benefit of Rs 6,000. Recognising the challenges faced during first pregnancies, PMMVY supports safe deliveries and child immunisation. Since April 1, 2022, under Mission Shakti, the Rs 6,000 benefit is also extended to the second child if it is a girl, promoting positive behavioral change toward the girl child. 

Additionally, all pregnant and lactating mothers are entitled to free meals during pregnancy and for six months postpartum through Anganwadi centers, ensuring essential nutrition as mandated under the NFSA. These foodgrains are provided to states through the Wheat-Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP) at subsidised NFSA rates. 

This information was shared by Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur, in the Rajya Sabha in response to a query. 

(PIB)