Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Benefits, Eligibility and How to Apply

• The applicant must be a pregnant woman in her 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
• She must have completed the first trimester (beyond 12 weeks of gestation): the 2nd trimester is 13-28 weeks and the 3rd trimester is 29-40 weeks.
• She must be an Indian citizen residing in India.
• She must be willing to visit a designated government health facility on the 9th of every month.
• Women identified as high-risk pregnancy cases receive priority attention and follow-up care.
• Women who have dropped out of regular antenatal care services are encouraged to take part.
• The scheme states that coverage is universal, regardless of income, caste, religion or community background.

• Find your nearest PMSMA facility with the 'Nearest Facility' search on the official PMSMA portal (https://pmsma.nhp.gov.in/) or in the 'PMSMA' mobile application.
• Visit that government health facility (Primary Health Centre, Community Health Centre, District Hospital or urban health facility) on the 9th of the month; if the 9th is a Sunday or holiday, services are given on the next working day.
• Register at the PMSMA counter or reception desk by giving your basic identity information and contact details.
• Receive medical consultation and examination by Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists, Radiologists or Physicians, as per the minimum package of services under the scheme.
• Get the required investigations, tests and screening done as per the standard protocol for 2nd and 3rd trimester pregnant women, under the single window system.
• Collect the prescribed medicines, including Iron Folic Acid tablets and calcium supplements, free of cost from the facility pharmacy.
• If your pregnancy is assessed as high-risk, a red sticker is placed on your Mother and Child Protection card along with follow-up instructions.
• Note the next visit date (the 9th of the following month) and any interim care or emergency contact advice given by the healthcare provider.

About the Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was launched on 9 June 2016 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. Its idea is simple: on one fixed day every month, the 9th, every pregnant woman in the second or third trimester can walk into a designated government health facility and receive assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care without paying anything. The scheme responds to the need for standardised maternal healthcare and aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality across the country. It is implemented through the National Health Mission at state and district levels.

Key Benefits Explained

On the service day, women are examined by Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists, Radiologists and Physicians. Every woman attending a PMSMA clinic gets a minimum package of investigations and medicines, including Iron Folic Acid and calcium supplements. Investigations and medicines are provided using the principles of a single window system, for streamlined service delivery. A key feature is the screening of high-risk pregnancies: if a risk is found, a red sticker is added to the woman's Mother and Child Protection card and she is followed up. Services are available at Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, District Hospitals and urban health facilities, in both rural and urban areas.

Who Should Attend

The scheme is meant for pregnant women who have completed the first trimester, that is, beyond 12 weeks of gestation, and are in the 2nd trimester (13-28 weeks) or 3rd trimester (29-40 weeks). The applicant must be an Indian citizen residing in India. High-risk pregnancy cases get priority attention, and women who have dropped out of regular antenatal care services are encouraged to participate.

Conditions to Follow

• Attend regularly on the 9th of every month for antenatal check-ups.
• Follow the medical advice and treatment prescribed by the healthcare providers.
• Make the follow-up visits recommended for high-risk pregnancies.
• Carry the Mother and Child Protection card at every visit.

Practical Points

At the facility, you register at the PMSMA counter or reception desk by giving basic identity information and contact details. Keep your Mother and Child Protection card, an identity proof such as Aadhaar, and your earlier medical records and prescription slips together, and keep track of your visit dates for continuous care throughout pregnancy. Since services are provided specifically on the 9th (or the next working day), a woman who misses that date should ask her facility about other arrangements or come on the next scheduled date. For help or complaints, the toll-free number is 18001801104, and the District Health Officer or Chief Medical Officer of the district can also be contacted.