The Ladki Bahin Yojana, also known as the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, is a flagship welfare initiative launched by the Maharashtra government in June 2024. This scheme is designed to provide financial assistance and empower women from economically weaker sections of society.
It aims to promote women’s economic independence, improve their health and nutrition, and strengthen their role in family decision-making. As of January 2025, the scheme has undergone significant updates, including increased financial benefits and expanded eligibility.
Article Contents
Ladki Bahin Yojana Online Status
| Name of the Scheme | Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana |
| Launched By | Government of Maharashtra |
| Launch Date | June 28, 2024 |
| Monthly Financial Aid | โน2,100 (increased from โน1,500) |
| Eligibility Age Range | 21 to 65 years |
| Family Income Limit | Annual income below โน2.5 lakh |
| Beneficiaries | Married, widowed, divorced, abandoned, destitute women |
| Application Mode | Online and offline |
| Total Beneficiaries | Over 2.34 crore women (13 lakh new beneficiaries added in December 2024) |
Objectives of the Ladki Bahin Yojana
- Economic Empowerment: To provide financial independence to women from economically weaker sections.
- Health and Nutrition: To improve the health and nutritional status of women in Maharashtra.
- Social Upliftment: To strengthen women’s roles in family decision-making and promote gender equality.
- Self-Reliance: To enable women to pursue education, skill development, or self-employment opportunities.
Key Features and Benefits
- Monthly Financial Assistance: Eligible women receive โน2,100 per month via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Expanded Beneficiary Base: Over 2.34 crore women are currently benefiting from the scheme.
- Free LPG Cylinders: Women are entitled to three free LPG cylinders annually.
- Educational Support: Fee waivers for girls from Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) for higher education.
- Festival Bonuses: Special bonuses such as โน2,500 during Diwali were distributed in 2024.
Eligibility Criteria for Ladki Bahin Yojana
- Must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
- Women aged between 21 and 65 years are eligible.
- Annual family income should not exceed โน2.5 lakh.
- Applicable to married, widowed, divorced, abandoned, or destitute women.
- Only one unmarried woman per family can apply.
- Applicants must not be beneficiaries of other government welfare schemes.
Required Documents for Application
- Aadhaar Card
- Domicile Certificate
- Income Certificate
- Bank Passbook (linked with Aadhaar)
- Voter ID
- Passport-size Photograph
- Ration Card
Financial Assistance Distribution
| Installment Number | Date Released | Amount Distributed (โน) |
|---|---|---|
| First Installment | August 17, 2024 | โน1,500 |
| Second Installment | September 15, 2024 | โน1,500 |
| Third Installment | September 25, 2024 | โน1,500 |
| Fourth Installment | October 15, 2024 | โน1,500 |
| Fifth Installment | October 15, 2024 | โน1,500 |
| Sixth Installment | December 24, 2024 | โน1,500 |
| Seventh Installment | January 10โ14, 2025 | โน2,100 |
Recent Updates and Changes
- Increase in Monthly Assistance: The monthly financial aid has been raised from โน1,500 to โน2,100 starting December 2024.
- Addition of New Beneficiaries: An additional 13 lakh women were added to the beneficiary list in December 2024.
- Scrutiny of Beneficiaries: The government plans to remove approximately 60 lakh beneficiaries who are availing benefits from other welfare schemes or do not meet eligibility criteria.
- Third Phase Registration: The third phase of applications (Ladki Bahin Yojana 3.0) began in January 2025 for women who missed earlier phases or whose applications were rejected.
Challenges and Criticism
- Financial Strain on Government: The scheme costs approximately โน3,690 crore per month. To manage this burden, the government plans to reduce beneficiaries by linking data with other welfare programs.
- Misuse of Benefits: Reports suggest that some beneficiaries exploit loopholes in the system by availing benefits from multiple schemes.
- Political Controversy: Opposition parties have criticized the scheme as an electoral strategy rather than a genuine welfare initiative.
How To Check Beneficiary Status Online
- Visit the official website of Ladki Bahin Yojana.
- Log in using your Aadhaar-linked credentials.
- Go to the “Beneficiary Status” section.
- Enter your application number or Aadhaar number to view your status.
Conclusion
The Ladki Bahin Yojana is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women in Maharashtra through financial assistance and socio-economic support. With over 2.34 crore beneficiaries already benefiting and new updates like increased payouts and expanded eligibility criteria, this scheme continues to uplift millions of women across the state. However, challenges like financial sustainability and misuse need to be addressed for its long-term success.
