Birth Pangs: Universal Maternity Entitlements in India

With Aarushi Kalra

In June 2018, a small survey of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana in two blocks of Jharkhand—Manika in Latehar district and Khunti in Khunti district—examined the status of the scheme and the problems faced by women at the time of pregnancy and delivery, such as health expenditure, inadequate nutrition, and loss of income. The findings call for better implementation of the scheme, as well as make a case for maternity benefits to be raised to a minimum of ₹6,000 per child for all pregnancies and not just for the first living child.