Updated for 2026 · For Tamil Nadu residents. General information, not medical or financial advice — confirm current rules with your Anganwadi/VHN or on the PICME portal.
- Total ₹18,000: ₹14,000 cash + ₹4,000 in two nutrition kits.
- PICME registration is mandatory — it generates the RCH ID you need to claim.
- Cash comes in installments tied to antenatal care and immunisation.
- For women 19+ from BPL families; usually the first two live births.
- Apply on the PICME portal or offline at the Anganwadi.
- Free scheme — register early in the pregnancy so you don't miss an installment.
What the scheme is for
Named after Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy, this Tamil Nadu scheme helps poor pregnant women afford proper nutrition and makes up for income lost around childbirth. It's run by the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and is closely linked to antenatal care — the money is released as you complete health check-ups and your baby's immunisation, so it doubles as an incentive for safe motherhood. In Tamil it is often referred to as மகப்பேறு நிதி உதவித் திட்டம் (the maternity assistance scheme).
How much you get, and when
The total benefit is ₹18,000 — ₹14,000 in cash plus ₹4,000 worth of nutrition kits (two kits of ₹2,000 each). The cash is paid in installments linked to milestones:
| Installment | Amount | When (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| First | ₹6,000 | Around the 4th month, after antenatal (ANC) check-ups |
| Second | ₹6,000 | After delivery and the child's initial immunisation |
| Third | ₹2,000 | When the child completes 9 months with due vaccinations |
| Nutrition kits | ₹4,000 | Two kits of ₹2,000 during the pregnancy/postnatal period |
Exact timings can vary slightly by district and current guidelines, so follow the schedule your VHN (Village Health Nurse) or Anganwadi gives you.
Why PICME matters
PICME (Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation) is the state's system for tracking every pregnancy. Registering on PICME generates a 12-digit RCH ID, and without that RCH ID you cannot claim the maternity benefit. This is the single most important step — do it early in the pregnancy, at a government hospital, through your VHN, or online. Many women lose an installment simply because PICME registration was late.
How to register on PICME (quick steps)
- Visit the PICME portal or your nearest government hospital / VHN as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed.
- Provide the mother's Aadhaar, address and basic details to create the record.
- Note down the 12-digit RCH ID that is generated — keep it safe, you'll need it for every installment.
- If you registered online, your VHN or Anganwadi will link it to your local antenatal care record.
Who is eligible
- Pregnant women aged 19 or above.
- From economically weaker (BPL) families.
- Generally for the first two live births.
- Also covered: women with an E-Shram card, MGNREGA job card, or from SC/ST communities.
- Must complete antenatal check-ups and the child's immunisation to receive all installments.
Documents you'll need
- RCH ID from PICME registration
- Aadhaar of the mother
- Bank passbook in the mother's name (for direct credit)
- Address proof and eligibility proof (BPL / E-Shram / MGNREGA / community, as applicable)
- Antenatal / immunisation records
How to apply — step by step
- Register the pregnancy on PICME early (government hospital, VHN, or online) and note your RCH ID.
- Go to the PICME portal, open the Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme section, enter your RCH ID and fetch your details.
- Fill the remaining fields and upload address and eligibility proof, then submit.
- Prefer offline? Apply at your Anganwadi centre with the same documents.
- Complete your ANC check-ups and immunisation on schedule so each installment is released to your bank account.
How to check your status and payment
Once you've applied, you can track it in two ways. Online, log in to the PICME portal with your RCH ID to see your application stage and which installments have been released. Offline, your VHN or Anganwadi worker can check the local register for you. All payments are credited directly to the mother's Aadhaar-linked bank account, so make sure the account is active and the name matches your Aadhaar exactly — a mismatch is one of the most common reasons a payment gets stuck.
Common reasons an installment is missed
- Late PICME registration — the biggest cause of a missed first installment.
- Bank account not in the mother's name or not Aadhaar-linked.
- Skipped ANC check-ups or immunisation, which are conditions for later installments.
- Mismatched details between PICME, Aadhaar and the bank.
Related Tamil Nadu guides
Also read our guides on the Pudhumai Penn scheme, the Tamil Nadu marriage assistance scheme, the Tamil Nadu income certificate and the Tamil Nadu birth certificate.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the benefit?
₹18,000 total — ₹14,000 cash in installments + ₹4,000 in two nutrition kits.
What is PICME and why is it needed?
The state's pregnancy-tracking system; it gives the 12-digit RCH ID that's mandatory to claim.
Who is eligible?
Pregnant women 19+ from BPL families (and E-Shram/MGNREGA/SC-ST), usually for the first two births.
How do I apply?
Register on PICME for the RCH ID, then apply on the PICME portal or at your Anganwadi centre.
How do I check my status?
Log in to PICME with your RCH ID, or ask your VHN/Anganwadi. Money is paid to the mother's Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Is it the same as Pudhumai Penn or Kalaignar schemes?
No — this is a maternity benefit for pregnant women; those are separate schemes with their own rules. You may qualify for more than one.
About the author. Written by Dinesh Kumar S, Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT — who runs ComplyKraft to explain Indian government-scheme and money rules in plain language.
Disclaimer: General information for Tamil Nadu residents, verified July 2026. Amounts, installment timing and eligibility are set by the Government of Tamil Nadu and can change — confirm current details with your Anganwadi/VHN or on the PICME portal before relying on this.