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PM Modi Reviews PMMVY at 50th PRAGATI Meet, Pushes Biometric Reforms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 50th meeting of the PRAGATI governance platform, reviewing the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) maternity benefit scheme. The scheme has provided financial support to over 4.26 crore beneficiaries since 2017, disbursing more than ₹20,060 crore. The Prime Minister directed ministries to enforce strict beneficiary identification through biometric Aadhaar authentication and the Facial Recognition System. The PRAGATI platform, which has accelerated projects worth over ₹85 lakh crore, exemplifies the government's focus on transparent, outcome-driven governance for women-led development.

Key Points: PM Modi Reviews Maternity Scheme PMMVY, Stresses Biometric Verification

  • PMMVY has disbursed ₹20,060+ crore to 4.26 crore beneficiaries
  • PM Modi mandates biometric Aadhaar authentication for schemes
  • Facial Recognition System used for over 23.60 lakh new enrolments
  • PRAGATI platform has monitored projects worth ₹85+ lakh crore
2 min read

PRAGATI marks 50th milestone: PM Modi reviews maternity benefit scheme PMMVY, pushes for biometric reforms and women-led development

At the 50th PRAGATI meeting, PM Modi reviewed the PMMVY scheme, which has disbursed over ₹20,060 crore to 4.26 crore beneficiaries.

"revolutionised real-time monitoring, issue resolution, and accountability in key developmental initiatives - sources"

New Delhi, January 10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently chaired the landmark 50th meeting of PRAGATI, the flagship ICT-enabled platform launched in 2015, highlighting a decade of "transformative governance" that has accelerated infrastructure projects and welfare schemes worth over Rs 85 lakh crore.

During the session held on December 31, 2025, the Prime Minister reviewed the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), the maternity benefit scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, sources said.

The scheme provides financial support to pregnant women and lactating mothers to compensate for wage loss, improve health, and promote better nutrition.

Under PMMVY, beneficiaries receive Rs. 5,000 in cash incentive for the first child and Rs. 6,000 for the second child if it is a girl.

Since its launch in January 2017, the scheme has disbursed maternity benefits to over 4.26 crore beneficiaries, amounting to more than Rs 20,060 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Prime Minister Modi instructed all Ministries and Departments to ensure strict beneficiary identification via biometrics-based Aadhaar authentication. Mandatory biometric verification using the Facial Recognition System (FRS) was introduced from May 21, 2025, for all new enrolments. Leveraging the existing FRS on the Poshan Tracker app, over 23.60 lakh beneficiaries have already been enrolled through this secure system.

The Ministry has also taken proactive steps to identify potential beneficiaries by utilising the Poshan Tracker database to generate due lists, bringing services closer to the doorstep, the sources said.

The Prime Minister further directed exploration of integrating additional programmes focused on child care, health, hygiene, and nutrition to strengthen the scheme's impact.

These measures underscore the government's commitment to transparency, efficiency, and women-led development, empowering mothers to prioritise health and nutrition while aligning with the broader vision of inclusive growth, the sources said.

They said that as PRAGATI completes 50 meetings, it continues to exemplify outcome-driven governance, breaking silos and ensuring the timely delivery of public welfare initiatives across the nation.

The platform, which fosters cooperative federalism by uniting the Centre, States, and Ministries on a single digital interface, has "revolutionised real-time monitoring, issue resolution, and accountability in key developmental initiatives".

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see the focus on biometrics and Aadhaar authentication. It will reduce fraud and ensure the money goes to the right person. But I hope the process is made simple for women in remote areas who might not be tech-savvy. The intention is right, execution is key.
S
Sarah B
While the scheme's reach is impressive (4.26 crore beneficiaries!), the amount itself feels quite low in today's economy. Rs 5000-6000 is helpful but not enough to cover the real costs and wage loss for many families. Hope they consider increasing the benefit.
A
Arjun K
PRAGATI completing 50 meetings is a big deal. Breaking silos between Centre and States is crucial for India's development. When schemes like PMMVY are monitored in real-time, delays reduce. This is the digital governance we needed.
M
Meera T
The extra Rs. 1000 for a girl child is a good step to encourage families. But true women-led development needs more than cash transfers. We need better access to healthcare, sanitation, and education for the mother and child. Hope the integration of other programmes happens soon.
V
Vikram M
Using the Poshan Tracker to generate due lists and bring services to the doorstep is a smart use of technology. This proactive approach can help include many women who are eligible but unaware of the scheme. Jai Hind!

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