Gujarat survey: document and portal problems block PMMVY and JSY maternity benefits

Women in Gujarat are finding it hard to claim maternity benefits under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) because of document problems and portal failures, a survey of frontline health workers has found.

Anna Suraksha Adhikar Abhiyan-Gujarat, the state unit of the Right to Food Campaign, spoke to 28 ASHA workers, ANMs and Anganwadi workers in nine districts in June and July 2026. Four districts are in tribal areas: Dahod, Panchmahal, Sabarkantha and Banaskantha. The other five are Morbi, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Surendranagar and Patan.

Of the workers surveyed, 13 (46%) named missing or outdated Aadhaar cards as a major problem. Twelve each (43%) pointed to bank account issues, absent documents and names that do not match across records. Workers also reported failed OTPs, weak internet, server outages and portal errors. Ten (36%) said families know little about the schemes, and seven (25%) said migration makes applications harder to finish.

Rejections are common even though the form is quick to fill. Thirteen workers (46%) said one or two of their applications are turned down each month, five (18%) reported three to five, and one said more than five. Eight (29%) had no rejections. Thirteen workers (46.4%) found the PMMVY form easy to fill, while nine (32.1%) found it hard. On the online process, 16 (57%) rated it easy or very easy and 12 (43%) rated it difficult or very difficult. Most said one application can be completed within an hour.

Most workers handle six to 10 pregnant women a month. Six (21.4%) support 11 to 20 women, five (17.8%) support more than 20 and three (10.7%) work with fewer than five. Frontline workers said their own incentive payments are often late or never arrive.

Gujarat's Maternal Mortality Ratio was 51 in 2021-23, 55 in 2020-22 and 53 in 2019-21, according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data. MMR means maternal deaths per one lakh live births.

The survey report asks authorities to remove document barriers, give families correct information and make rejections clearer. It also wants frontline workers paid on time and more funding, infrastructure and staff at Anganwadi centres. The campaign wants PM POSHAN extended to every secondary and higher secondary student in Gujarat and eggs and milk added to supplementary nutrition at all Anganwadi centres. Its other demands include fresh focus on Integrated Child Development Services, new Anganwadi centres in remote areas and regular status for Anganwadi workers and helpers.