Tamil Nadu Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

• Then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Kalaignar M Karunanidhi launched Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Ninaivu Mahapperu Uthavi Thittam in the year 1989.
• The main objective of this scheme is to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women, lactating mothers, and their children.
• Tamil Nadu Government's Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine is the nodal department of this scheme.
• On 15-09-2006, the Tamil Nadu Government amended this scheme name and its benefits.
• The current name of this scheme is "Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme".
• Cash Assistance of Rs. 14,000/- will be provided to all eligible pregnant women and lactating mothers under Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Thittam.
• Rs. 9,000/- is Tamil Nadu Government share under this scheme and Rs. 5,000/- is Central Government share under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
• Apart from cash assistance, 2 nutrition kit will also provided to women beneficiaries.
• Nutrition Kit provided under Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme consists the following items :-
  • 1 Kg Mother Health Mix.
  • 3 Iron Syrup.
  • 1 Kg Dry Dates.
  • 1 Food Grade Plastic Cup.
  • 1 Plastic Basket.
  • 1 Packet of Albendazole Deworming Tablet.
  • 1 Cotton Towel.
  • 500 Ml Aavin Ghee.
• A budget of Rs. 1092/- crore will be allocated for this scheme for the year 2025-2026.
• Pregnant Women can apply for cash assistance and nutrition kit under Dr Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme through Online Application Form which is available on Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation Portal.
• Applications can also be submitted offline by visiting the Anganwadi Centre.

Scheme Benefits

• Pregnant Women Beneficiaries will get the below mentioned benefits under Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme of Government of Tamil Nadu :-
  • Assistance of Rs. 18,000/-.
  • Total Cash Assistance is Rs. 14,000/- and Rs. 2,000/- worth 2 Nutritional Kit will also provided.
  • Tamil Nadu Government share is Rs. 9,000/- and Central Government share is Rs. 5,000/- which is provided under PM Matru Vandana Yojana.
  • Cash Assistance and Nutrional Kit will be distributed among pregnant women beneficiary through the below mentioned stages :-

    No. of Instalment	Amount and Stage
    1st	Rs. 6,000/- In Pregnancy's 4th Month.
    2nd	Rs. 6,000/- 4 months after the Child Delivery.
    3rd	Rs. 2,000/- 9 months after the Child Delivery
    Nutrition Kit
    1st Nutritional Kit	In Pregnancy's 3rd Month.
    2nd Nutritional Kit	In Pregnancy's 6th Month.

Eligibility Requirements

• Tamil Nadu Government under its Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme will provide cash assistance of Rs. 14,000/- and 2 nutritional kit of 4,000/- to all eligible pregnant women of State :-

  Pregnant Women of Tamil Nadu State are Eligible. Pregnant Women Age should be between 18 years to 55 years. Pregnant Women should be belong to any of the following category :- Scheduled Tribe. Scheduled Caste. 40% Physically Disabled. Below Poverty Line Families. Beneficiary of PM Ayushman Yojana. Beneficiary of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Women who has E Shram Card. Women who has MGNREGA Card. ASHA/ AWH/ AWW. Families registered in NFSA. Family Income is not more than Rs. 8 lakh. Sri Lankan Refugee. Women Beneficiary of Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme. Benefits will only Applicable if Child is delivered in Government or Empaneled Private Hospital. Women Beneficiary can avail the benefit for first 2 deliveries.

Required Documents

• Documents that required to be uploaded or attached with the Application Form of Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme are mentioned below :-

  Aadhaar Card of Women and her Husband. Bank Details. Women Beneficiary RCH ID. Any Address Proof. Any one document will be submitted as per the women eligibility :- ST Certificate. SC Certificate. Below Poverty Line Ration Card. Disability Certificate. E Shram Card. PM Ayushman Arogya Card. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Card. Family Income Certificate. Job Card of MGNREGA. ICDS/ ASHA ID Card. Anganwadi Card. National Food Security Act Ration Card. Registration Number of Magalir Urima Thogai Scheme. Sri Lankan Refugee Card.

Steps to Apply

• Pregnant Women Beneficiary can apply for cash assistance of Rs. 14,000/- and 2 nutritional kit under Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme through Online Application Form.
• Online Application Form is available on the Official Website of Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation Portal.
  
• Visit the Website and Choose Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme.
• Pregnant Women Beneficiary cannot fill the application form without RCH ID (Reproductive and Child Health).
• Fill the RCH ID and Click on Get Data.
• Thereafter fill the Online Application Form of Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme.
• Upload all the required documents on the portal.
• Preview the Application Form and Submit it.
• Concerned Department Officials will will verify the received application form and documents.
• Pregnant Women will get financial assistance directly in their bank account and nutrition kit will be distributed through Anganwadi Centres.
• Application Status of Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme can be checked also on the portal.

Relevant Links

• Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme Online Application Form.
• Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme Application Status.
• Tamil Nadu Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation Website.
• Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme Guidelines.
• Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Website.

Contact Information

• Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme Contact Number :-
  • 9489048910.
  • 044-22280920.
• Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme Helpdesk Email :- picmehelpdesk.dophpm@tn.gov.in.
• Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Contact Numbers :-
  • 044-29510167.
  • 044-29510136.
  • 044-29510183.
• Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Helpdesk Email :- dphpm.tn@nic.in.
• Tamil Nadu Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Address :-
  No. 359, Anna Salai,
  DMS Campus, Teynampet,
  Chennai – 600006.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme?
  -The scheme offers cash assistance of ₹14,000/- and two nutrition kits to pregnant women in Tamil Nadu to improve their health and nutrition during pregnancy and after childbirth.
• Who is eligible to apply for cash assistance under Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme?
  -Pregnant women in Tamil Nadu, aged between 18 to 55 years, who belong to specific categories such as Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, Below Poverty Line families, and other government scheme beneficiaries, are eligible to apply.
• How can I apply for the Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme?
  -You can apply online by visiting the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation Portal, filling out the application form, and uploading required documents. Alternatively, applications can be submitted offline at Anganwadi Centres.
• What documents are required for the application?
  -Required documents include Aadhaar cards of the woman and her husband, bank details, address proof, and specific eligibility documents (e.g., ST/SC certificates, BPL card, MGNREGA job card, etc.).
• How much financial assistance is provided under this scheme?
  -Pregnant women will receive ₹14,000/- in cash assistance, which will be provided in three installments during pregnancy and after childbirth. Additionally, two nutrition kits worth ₹2,000/- will be distributed.
• When are the installments of cash assistance provided under the scheme?
  -The cash assistance is distributed in three stages: ₹6,000/- in the 4th month of pregnancy, ₹6,000/- four months after delivery, and ₹2,000/- nine months after delivery.
• What is included in the nutrition kit provided under the scheme?
  -The nutrition kit includes items like 1 kg of mother health mix, iron syrup, dry dates, food-grade plastic cup, albendazole deworming tablet, cotton towel, and 500 ml of Aavin ghee.
• Can I apply for the benefits if I am pregnant with my third child?
  -The scheme is only applicable for the first two pregnancies. Women can avail of the benefits only for their first two deliveries.
• What is the role of the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in this scheme?
  -The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine is the nodal department responsible for overseeing and implementing the Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme in Tamil Nadu.
• How can I check the status of my application for the scheme?
  -You can check the status of your application on the official portal of the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation Website by entering your details and tracking the progress.