Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan is a central government scheme that gives free, quality, and complete antenatal care to every pregnant woman in her 2nd and 3rd trimester. By going to a designated government health facility on the 9th of every month, any expecting mother gets medical checkups, diagnostic tests, and the required supplements with no charge, helping make pregnancies safer across India. Registration is open all year round, and the scheme is fully running.
The scheme has now completed 10 years. It was launched on 9th June 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to improve the quality and reach of antenatal care services in the country. Over this period, more than 7.50 crore pregnant women have received antenatal services under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, apart from the regular antenatal checkup services. The service package includes clinical examinations, blood and urine tests, ultrasound where available, medicines, and counselling on nutrition, birth planning, and safe pregnancy practices.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan - Introduction
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan makes sure every mother in India gets quality antenatal care no matter what her background is. The scheme provides fixed-day, assured, and complete health checkups to all pregnant women who are in their 2nd or 3rd trimester. By visiting a government health facility on the 9th of every month, a woman can get these services at no cost, with proper attention given to the well-being of both mother and child.
The main aim of the scheme is to find high-risk pregnancies early and manage them on time. High risk pregnancy is a condition where there is a chance of complications for the mother or the baby during pregnancy or delivery. Under the scheme, every high-risk pregnancy is screened for 25 high-risk factors and managed at an early stage. The maternal health situation in India has improved a lot with such efforts. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has come down from 130 per lakh live births during 2014-16 to 87 per lakh live births during 2022-24, a drop of 43 points in about a decade. The scheme runs through the National Health Mission at state and district levels, and more details are available on the official Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan portal at pmsma.mohfw.gov.in or at the nearest government health center.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan |
| Launched By | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Launch Date | 9th June 2016 |
| Level | Central |
| Beneficiaries | Pregnant women in 2nd and 3rd trimester |
| Service Day | 9th of every month |
| Benefit | Free antenatal checkups, tests and medicines |
| Application Mode | Offline at government health facility |
| Official Website | pmsma.mohfw.gov.in |
| Helpline | 1800-180-1104 |
Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
The scheme gives a complete package of antenatal care, and all of it is free of cost for the pregnant woman. There is no income limit or social condition to get the benefit. Any pregnant woman in her 2nd or 3rd trimester can use the services.
Medical Services Provided
Every pregnant woman gets a minimum package of care from qualified Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists, Radiologists, and Physicians. The package includes clinical examination, blood and urine tests, ultrasound where available, and medicines such as Iron Folic Acid and calcium supplements. If the medical team finds a high-risk pregnancy, a red sticker is added to the Mother and Child Protection card to give priority follow-up care. A green sticker is used for women with no risk factor detected.
Service Delivery
The scheme uses an easy single window system to give both tests and medicines in one visit. A woman can locate the nearest facility that offers these services through the official portal or the mobile application. On the 9th of every month, if the 9th falls on a public holiday, the services are provided on the next working day.
Coverage Areas
Services are available at different government health facilities, including Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, District Hospitals, and urban health facilities in both urban and rural areas. Across the country, more than 22,300 facilities are providing Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan services, and thousands of private sector doctors volunteer with the scheme every month.
Conditions
To get the benefit, a woman should attend her checkups regularly on the 9th of every month, follow the medical advice given by the health team, and carry the Mother and Child Protection card to every visit. If she is identified as high risk, she should follow the follow-up schedule suggested by the doctor.
Eligibility
To take part in Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, a woman has to meet the required criteria:
- She should be pregnant and in her 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This means she should have crossed the first 12 weeks of gestation.
- She should be an Indian citizen living in India.
- She should be willing to visit a designated government health facility on the 9th of every month.
Trimester Specific Criteria
The 2nd trimester is from 13 to 28 weeks, and the 3rd trimester is from 28 weeks till delivery. For example, if a woman is 15 weeks pregnant, she can join the scheme, whereas a woman who is only 8 weeks pregnant would need to wait until she crosses the 12-week mark.
Special Categories
If the pregnancy is identified as high risk, the woman gets priority attention and special follow-up care. Under the Extended PMSMA strategy that started in January 2022, every high-risk pregnancy is individually tracked till a safe delivery. The beneficiary and the ASHA worker who accompanies her get financial support for up to three extra visits, and SMS alerts are sent for registration and follow-up visits. Women who have dropped out of regular antenatal care are also encouraged to join the monthly program.
Application Process
The application process for Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan is simple. There is no online form to fill and no money to pay. A pregnant woman just has to walk into a designated government health facility on the 9th of the month.
STEP 1 - Locate the nearest participating facility. Visit the official PMSMA portal or download the 'PMSMA' mobile application and use the 'Nearest Facility' feature to find the closest government health center.
STEP 2 - Visit on the designated day. Go to the chosen health facility, such as a Primary Health Centre, Community Health Centre, or District Hospital, on the 9th of every month. If the 9th is a public holiday, visit on the next working day.
STEP 3 - Register at the facility. On arrival, register at the dedicated Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan desk by giving basic contact details and identity information.
STEP 4 - Go through the medical consultation. A specialist, such as an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, or Physician, checks the woman thoroughly.
STEP 5 - Complete the investigations. The facility carries out all the required medical tests and screenings using the single window system.
STEP 6 - Collect the medicines. The woman receives prescribed Iron Folic Acid, calcium, and other medicines from the facility pharmacy for free.
STEP 7 - Get the risk assessment. The provider checks the health status. If the pregnancy is flagged as high risk, a red sticker is attached to the Mother and Child Protection card and the next follow-up visit is scheduled.
STEP 8 - Plan the next visit. Confirm the appointment for the 9th of the following month before leaving the facility.
Help and Support: For any query, the toll-free number 1800-180-1104 can be called, or the local District Health Officer may be contacted.
Documents Required
To make registration easy, the following items should be carried during a visit to the health facility:
- Mother and Child Protection Card, if already available.
- Aadhaar card or any other government-issued identity proof.
- Any earlier medical records or antenatal care history.
- Relevant prescription slips from older consultations.
- Current address proof such as a ration card or utility bill, and a working mobile number.
References
Official Guidelines | Operational Framework | Facility Requirements | High-Risk Pregnancy Synopsis
For related cash help during pregnancy, read the details on the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) page on this site.
FAQ's
On which date every month can a woman get free antenatal care?
Antenatal care is provided on the 9th of every month at designated government health facilities. If the 9th falls on a Sunday or a public holiday, the services are provided on the next working day.
At what stage of pregnancy can a woman use the services?
A woman can join the scheme once she is in her 2nd or 3rd trimester, meaning she must be beyond 12 weeks of gestation.
Which specialists attend to the pregnant women?
Care is given by experienced Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists, Radiologists, and Physicians, along with private sector doctors who volunteer for the scheme.
How can a woman find the nearest participating facility?
The nearest center can be found through the official PMSMA portal or the official mobile application.
Are the medicines given for free?
Yes, the required medicines, including Iron Folic Acid tablets and calcium supplements, are given for free at the facility.
Is there any income limit to apply?
No, there is no income or social condition. The scheme is open to all pregnant women in India, no matter what their background is.
What happens if the pregnancy is flagged as high risk?
The doctors mark the Mother and Child Protection card with a red sticker, and the woman gets priority follow-up care and closer monitoring under the Extended PMSMA strategy.
What documents should be carried?
A woman should carry her Mother and Child Protection card, Aadhaar card, and any existing medical records.
When was this scheme launched?
The scheme was launched on 9th June 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
How many women have been covered under the scheme so far?
More than 7.50 crore pregnant women have received antenatal services under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan since its launch.
What diagnostic tests are covered?
Standard medical investigations and screenings are done as per the national protocol for 2nd and 3rd trimester care, including blood and urine tests and ultrasound where available.
How can a woman get help if she has a problem?
She can reach out through the official portal, call the helpline at 1800-180-1104, or contact her local Chief Medical Officer.
What if a woman misses her monthly visit?
She should contact the local facility right away to check if an alternative time can be arranged, or wait for the next scheduled session on the 9th.