AI SummaryTamil Nadu government's Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme gives pregnant women a total benefit of ₹18,000, which includes ₹14,000 in cash installments and ₹4,000 worth of Amma Maternity Nutrition Kits. The scheme is open to pregnant women across the state and is run by the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
Under this scheme, a pregnant woman gets cash support in installments linked to her antenatal check-ups and her baby's immunisation, along with two nutrition kits during pregnancy. In the 2026-27 budget, the state government disbursed ₹4,042 crore to 34,40,550 women under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme.
Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme 2026
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme was launched to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women and lactating mothers and to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Tamil Nadu. The scheme compensates the wage loss during pregnancy and makes sure the mother gets proper nutrition and medical care.
The financial support under the scheme was raised from ₹12,000 to ₹18,000. Out of this, ₹14,000 is given as cash in installments and ₹4,000 is given as two nutrition kits of ₹2,000 each. The money is paid directly to the mother's Aadhaar-linked bank account.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Beneficiaries | Pregnant women aged 19 years and above |
| Total Benefit | ₹18,000 (₹14,000 cash + ₹4,000 nutrition kits) |
| Application Mode | Online through PICME portal or offline at Anganwadi / PHC |
| Official Website | picme3.tn.gov.in |
Installments under Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme
The cash support of ₹14,000 is released in installments linked to antenatal care and the child's immunisation. The nutrition kits are given separately during pregnancy.
| Installment / Kind benefit | Conditionality | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Installment | Antenatal registration on or before 12 weeks | ₹2,000 |
| Kind benefit | Completion of third month (nutrition kit) | ₹2,000 |
| 2nd Installment | After 4 months | ₹2,000 |
| Kind benefit | Second nutrition kit | ₹2,000 |
| 3rd Installment | After delivery | ₹4,000 |
| 4th Installment | After completion of all 3rd doses of OPV/Rota/Penta valent and 2 doses of IPV | ₹4,000 |
| 5th Installment | After completion of Measles Rubella vaccination between 9th and 12th month of the infant | ₹2,000 |
| Total | ₹18,000 |
Items in Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit
The Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit is given twice during pregnancy, once at the 12th week and again between the 16th and 20th week. It contains nutritious items that support a healthy pregnancy.
| Products | Units |
|---|---|
| Pregnant Mother's Health Mix Powder | 2 x 500 gms |
| IFA Syrup (Iron Syrup 200 ml) | 3 x 200 ml bottle |
| Deseeded Date Fruit | 2 x 500 gms |
| Food Grade Plastic Cup | 1 No. |
| Plastic Basket with Two Handles | 1 No. |
| Albendazole De-worming Tablet | 1 No. |
| Aavin Ghee 500 ml | 1 No. |
| Cotton Towel | 1 No. |
Eligibility Condition
The applicant must meet the conditions given below to become eligible for the Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme.
- The pregnant mother should have completed 19 years of age and should be from an economically weaker family.
- The eligible mother will receive all 5 installments for two deliveries only.
- HOB and migrant mothers will receive the 1st and 5th installments on certain conditions.
How to Apply for Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme
PICME registration is the most important step because it gives the 12-digit RCH ID without which the maternity benefit cannot be claimed. The pregnancy should be registered early, ideally within the first 12 weeks.
STEP 1 - Register the pregnancy on the PICME portal at picme3.tn.gov.in or at the nearest government hospital, PHC or with the Village Health Nurse as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed. Note down the 12-digit RCH ID that is generated.
STEP 2 - Open the PICME portal, go to the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme section, enter the RCH ID and fetch the details.
STEP 3 - Fill the remaining fields and upload the address and eligibility proof, then submit the application. Offline application can also be done at the Anganwadi centre with the same documents.
STEP 4 - Complete the antenatal check-ups and the child's immunisation on schedule so that each installment is released to the mother's Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Contact Place
All VHN/UHN and PHC/UPHC centres across Tamil Nadu.
Beneficiary
Poor pregnant mothers are the main beneficiaries of the Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme.
Benefits
Financial support of ₹18,000 to poor pregnant mothers along with two Amma Maternity Nutrition Kits.
Official PICME Portal: picme3.tn.gov.in
Tamil Nadu Health Department: tnhealth.tn.gov.in
TN e-Sevai Portal: tnesevai.tn.gov.in
Tamil Nadu Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit Scheme
The assistance under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme has been raised to ₹18,000. Under this scheme, an Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit worth ₹4,000 is also provided. Around 12 nutritious items including dry fruits such as dates that are needed for a healthy pregnancy are included in the kit.
These kits are distributed twice, once at the 12th week and for the second time between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy. The kit scheme aims to provide iron tonic and nutritional supplements to pregnant women and is given under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme.
Out of the total benefit of ₹18,000, the government provides ₹14,000 in cash along with the Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit worth ₹4,000. Around 21 lakh mothers had already been benefited under the Amma Baby Kit launched by late CM J. Jayalalithaa in September 2015.
The Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme in Tamil Nadu benefits around 8 lakh pregnant women every year. This scheme for pregnant women helps reduce the maternal and infant mortality rates in the state.
In the 2026-27 budget, the Tamil Nadu government disbursed ₹4,042 crore to 34,40,550 women under this scheme. The state has also announced Thai Care maternity support centres where pregnant women can stay as their delivery date approaches and receive free meals, medical support and regular check-ups.
For more details on related support, see the Tamil Nadu pregnant women registration guide and the Janani Suraksha Yojana.
My wife pregnancy confirmed on march 2020 & we registered for PICME. After 5 months we got amma kit. Now my wife delivery was done on Egmore government hospital on November 2020. Now we are asking for another kit, but our anganwadi sister is saying that only one time we will give. But in this scheme government is giving 2 kits for pregnant ladies. And also that 14,000 amount also not came to my wife account. She is cheating with that 1 kit. For this what i have to do and where i have to raise complaint. Please guide me friends.
Oct 5 2021 my delivery date still I didn't receive nutrition kit
I register in rch number and i was cheak up in seven wells health center . This is my second delivery . Now i pregnent in twins .I never got any nutrition bag in seven wells health center i am now pregnent . My delivery date 3 / 9 /21.
I register in rch number and i was cheak up in seven wells health center . This is my second delivery . Now i pregnent in twins .I never got any nutrition bag in seven wells health center i am now pregnent . My delivery date 3 / 9 /21.
Due to this covid'19 we got only nutrition kit, Except that I didn't get any above said benefits, even delivery done at krishnagiri GH only. We were tried in many ways to get, but no use.
GH Nurse simply said like "mistakenly your application missed, so you submit your application once again". Again We have submitted the application for 4 times, still no response. Doctors got changed and Nurses got changed but complaint remains same. What to do?
Am 5month old pregnant for 2nd time. 1st also I didn't get any kit. Anganwadi sister never a word about. I didn't even any installment ammount or kind kit. Pls help us what to do.
My child reaching 1year still now I didn't get any amount
My wife is pregnant and I not received any Installment from till the date it’s 8month
I’m doing check in private n corporation aslo
I asked the person over there has they told me u ill get only 4000rs after pregnancy dilvery
A doctor has recieved appointment order
for Government Hospital in Tamilnadu.
After receiving order ,
before joining duty
gave birth a child .(with in 10 days)
Is she eligible for Maternity leave for 12 months.
My baby birth at chennai on November 30 2022, till now am not received Dr.Muthulakshmi reddy maternity scheme scholar.
My baby birth at Udumalpet on April 12 2022, till now am not received Dr.Muthulakshmi reddy maternity scheme scholar & baby kits.
My wife is pregnant and I not received any Installment from till the date it’s 8month
I’m doing check in private n corporation aslo
I asked the person over there has they told me u ill get only 4000rs after pregnancy dilvery
My wife is three months pregnant for the first time. We also did not get any kit or funding information. Anganwadi sister never said anything about it. If we contact sister, we receive no answer and are treated badly. Please advise us on what to do.
Y’all should Pre register your pregnancy (before 12 months)to the village health nurse of urban health nurse. No wonder y’all didn’t receive multiple benefits.
My baby 1year and 9 month I did not getting in amount
இதில் பெரிய ஊழ்வாதிகளுக்கு சம்மந்தம் உள்ளது... அரசாங்கம் கூறிய பணம் இந்த திட்டத்தில் யாருக்கும் சரியாக வரவில்லை.. குழந்தை பிறந்து வளர்ந்த பிறகு கூட இந்த திட்டத்தால் ஒரு பயனும் இல்லை ... பெயருக்காக இந்த திட்டம்... அரசியல் மற்றும் சில மக்களால் தெரிந்து எடுத்த உறுப்பினர்கள் இந்த திட்டத்தில் வரும் பணம் மற்றும் பொருடகளில் ஊழல் செய்து அவர்களை எடுத்துகொண்டுச் செல்கின்றனர்
If we register after 12weeks we won't get any benefits in this scheme? Like kid and money?
Not recive any amount
We had last month our baby delivered but still we didn't get anything from govt.
Not any instalment cash or any mother kits.
Not recived any amount