New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) has enrolled Rs 4.92 crore beneficiaries and paid Rs 4.28 crore beneficiaries, with total disbursements of Rs 20,150 crore by April-end, the government said on Tuesday.

India has shifted focus from ‘Women’s welfare’ to ‘Women-led development’ across sectors and institutions between 2014 and 2026, an official statement said.

A lifecycle approach adopted by the government has strengthened women’s access to healthcare, education, nutrition, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and leadership opportunities, it added.

The maternity benefit scheme PMMVY, introduced in 2017, provides conditional cash transfers linked to early registration, antenatal care and immunisation to improve maternal well‑being.

The government highlighted broader maternal and child health gains tied to complementary programs as over 7.4 crore pregnant women were examined under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).

Over 6.85 crore antenatal check‑ups were conducted and 1.03 crore high‑risk pregnancies were identified for focused monitoring. PMSMA introduced digital tracking and follow‑up support, and the Maternal Mortality Ratio fell to 88 per lakh live births for 2021–2023, down from 130 in 2014–15.

Education and school infrastructure improvements include 99.3 per cent of schools gaining access to drinking water up from 95.72 per cent in 2015, 97.3 per cent having functional girls’ toilets up from 92.09 per cent.

The female enrolment has increased from 1.57 crore (32 per cent) in 2014-15 to 11.93 crore (48 per cent) today.

Between 2018–19 and 2025–26, over 4,073 schools were upgraded. More than 1.49 lakh ICT and digital learning initiatives, including smart classrooms, were supported.

The AICTE PRAGATI Scholarship is further expanding opportunities in technical education. Since 2014–15, it has provided 10,000 scholarships annually across diploma and degree courses. By 2024–25, nearly 36 thousand girl students benefited under the scheme.

Financial inclusion has expanded women’s access to banking and credit, strengthening livelihoods and economic independence. Better access to health, nutrition, sanitation, and clean cooking fuel has improved dignity and quality of life, the statement noted.

Programmes supporting Self Help Groups (SHGs), entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion have expanded women’s economic participation significantly. Improved access to sanitation, housing, clean fuel, and tap water has strengthened dignity, safety, and quality of life, the statement added.

—IANS

aar/pk