Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is a Government of India initiative focused on providing quality and assured antenatal care (ANC) to pregnant women. The programme aims to reduce maternal and newborn complications by ensuring that pregnant women receive essential health check-ups, screening, counselling and appropriate medical care during pregnancy.

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is a Government of India initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care to pregnant women. The programme focuses on identifying and managing health risks during pregnancy so that complications can be detected early and appropriate treatment can be provided.

The main objective of PMSMA is to promote safe motherhood, healthy pregnancies and better maternal and newborn health outcomes, particularly by ensuring that pregnant women receive timely medical attention and that high-risk pregnancies are identified at an early stage.

What is the Purpose of PMSMA?

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is designed to ensure that pregnant women receive quality and comprehensive antenatal care during pregnancy. The programme focuses on early identification of pregnancy-related risks and timely medical intervention to promote safe motherhood.

Key Purposes of PMSMA

• Ensure regular antenatal care: Provide pregnant women with essential health check-ups during pregnancy.
  
  
• Identify high-risk pregnancies: Detect conditions and complications that may pose risks to the mother or baby.
  
  
• Provide timely medical care: Ensure appropriate treatment, referral and follow-up when health problems are identified.
  
  
• Promote safe motherhood: Reduce preventable complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
  
  
• Improve maternal and newborn health: Support better health outcomes for both mothers and babies.
  
  
• Provide counselling: Educate pregnant women about nutrition, hygiene, danger signs, institutional delivery and other important aspects of pregnancy care.
  
  
• Strengthen pregnancy monitoring: Encourage women to receive scheduled antenatal examinations throughout pregnancy.
  
  
• Reach vulnerable women: Improve access to quality maternal healthcare, particularly through government health facilities.
  

What is the program?

• The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, to provide free, assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care to all pregnant women on the 9th of every month.
  
  
• The Hon’ble Prime Minister highlighted the objectives and importance of introducing PMSMA during the 31 July 2016 episode of Mann Ki Baat.
  
  
• PMSMA provides a minimum package of antenatal care services to pregnant women, particularly those in their second and third trimesters, at designated government health facilities.
  
  
• The programme also encourages private-sector participation through a structured approach that motivates private medical practitioners to volunteer, supports awareness-generation activities, and encourages them to provide services at designated government health facilities.
  
  
• To improve the tracking and management of individual high-risk pregnancies (HRPs), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched e-PMSMA (Extended Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan) in January 2022. Additional features have also been incorporated into the existing PMSMA portal to facilitate individual HRP tracking and follow-up.

Rationale for the program

• According to available data, India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was very high in 1990, with approximately 556 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with the global MMR of around 385 per 100,000 live births.
  
  
• India has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality. As per the Sample Registration System (SRS), the MMR declined from 556 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 97 during 2018–2020, representing an 83% reduction. This decline is considerably higher than the global reduction of approximately 45% during the same period.
  
  
• Despite this progress, maternal and newborn mortality remains a concern. According to the MMEIG 2020 report, approximately 24,000 women in India die each year from pregnancy-related causes, while SRS 2020 data indicates that around 5.40 lakh infants die within the first 28 days of life.
  
  
• Many maternal and newborn deaths can be prevented through timely and quality healthcare during pregnancy. Early detection and proper management of high-risk conditions, such as severe anaemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension, along with regular antenatal care, can help prevent complications and save lives.
  

Goal and Objectives of PMSMA

Goal of the PMSMA

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) aims to improve the quality, availability and coverage of antenatal care (ANC), including essential diagnostic tests and counselling services, as part of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) strategy.

Key Objectives of the Programme

• Ensure that every pregnant woman receives at least one antenatal check-up during the second or third trimester from a qualified physician or specialist.
  
• Improve the quality of antenatal care by ensuring that pregnant women receive:
  
  • All necessary diagnostic and laboratory services.
    
  • Appropriate screening for clinical conditions and pregnancy-related risks.
    
  • Timely diagnosis and proper management of conditions such as anaemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes.
    
  • Appropriate health counselling and proper documentation of the services provided.
    
  • An additional opportunity for women who may have missed their scheduled antenatal visits to receive essential care.
    
    
• Identify and maintain a record of high-risk pregnancies based on the woman’s medical and obstetric history, as well as existing health conditions.
  
  
• Develop an appropriate birth plan and emergency preparedness plan for every pregnant woman, with special attention to those having risk factors or other medical conditions.
  
  
• Give special attention to the early identification, prevention and proper management of malnutrition among pregnant women.
  
  
• Provide additional care and attention to adolescent and early pregnancies, as these pregnancies may require specialised monitoring and medical support.

Key Features of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) focuses on ensuring that pregnant women receive timely, comprehensive and quality antenatal care. The programme combines government healthcare services with voluntary participation from private-sector medical professionals to improve pregnancy monitoring and reduce preventable maternal and newborn complications.

Major Features of PMSMA

• Quality antenatal check-ups: The programme aims to ensure that every pregnant woman receives at least one comprehensive examination by a qualified physician or specialist, along with appropriate investigations and follow-up care.
  
  
• Specialist medical support: Antenatal services may be provided with the support of obstetricians and gynaecologists, radiologists and physicians, including voluntary doctors from the private sector where government specialists are unavailable or insufficient.
  
  
• Monthly PMSMA services: A minimum package of antenatal care services, including necessary investigations and medicines, is provided on the 9th of every month at designated public health facilities in both rural and urban areas.
  
• Single-window approach: PMSMA follows a single-window approach under which pregnant women can access essential investigations, medicines and counselling services during their visit. This may include a second-trimester ultrasound, iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements, calcium supplements and other required services.
  
  
• Special focus on missed ANC visits: The programme makes additional efforts to reach pregnant women who have not registered for antenatal care, those who have registered but missed subsequent visits, and women identified as having a high-risk pregnancy.
  
• Private-sector participation: Qualified specialists from the private sector are encouraged to voluntarily provide services at government health facilities, particularly in areas where specialist availability is limited.
  
• Mother and Child Protection Card: Pregnant women are provided with a Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card and safe motherhood-related information materials to help maintain records of their antenatal care and monitor their pregnancy.
  
• Identification of high-risk pregnancies: One of the important components of PMSMA is the early identification and follow-up of high-risk pregnancies. Risk status can be indicated on the MCP Card using colour-coded stickers:
  
  • Green Sticker: No risk factor detected.
    
  • Red Sticker: High-risk pregnancy identified.
    
• Digital platforms: A national PMSMA portal and mobile application support programme monitoring and facilitate the participation of private and voluntary healthcare professionals.
  
• Recognition of contributions: The ‘IPledgeFor9’ Achievers Awards recognise individuals and teams for their contributions and voluntary participation in implementing PMSMA activities across states and districts.

Key Features of e-PMSMA

e-PMSMA (Extended PMSMA) strengthens the programme by enabling better identification, tracking and follow-up of women with high-risk pregnancies.

• Name-based tracking: Maintains a name-based list of identified high-risk pregnancies (HRPs).
  
• Additional PMSMA sessions: Provides the option of conducting additional PMSMA sessions, up to four sessions in a month, where required.
  
• Individual HRP tracking: Enables continuous monitoring and follow-up of high-risk pregnant women until a healthy outcome, including follow-up up to the 45th day after delivery.
  
• SMS notifications: Sends alerts to the beneficiary and ASHA worker regarding HRP registration and required follow-up visits.

Budgetary Provisions Under PMSMA

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) receives financial support through the National Health Mission (NHM) annual Programme Implementation Plans under the RCH/NHM flexible pool. These funds are used to strengthen antenatal care services, improve accessibility for pregnant women and support awareness and programme implementation activities.

Major Budgetary Provisions

• Transportation Support: Financial assistance can be provided for transportation of pregnant women living in difficult-to-reach or inaccessible areas, particularly in blocks where home deliveries account for more than 20%, under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).
  
• Ultrasound Services: Funds available under the Free Diagnostics Initiative/JSSK can be utilised to provide required ultrasound services to pregnant women.
  
• District-Level Activities: Districts may receive approximately ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh per year for activities such as stakeholder sensitisation programmes, committee meetings, awareness campaigns and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.
  
• State-Level Activities: States may receive approximately ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh per year for programme-related activities, including stakeholder sensitisation, committee meetings, IEC campaigns and other activities supporting PMSMA implementation.

Benefits for Pregnant Women Under PMSMA

Pregnant women identified with a High-Risk Pregnancy (HRP) can receive financial support under the e-PMSMA programme to help them attend essential follow-up antenatal check-ups.

Transportation Support

• Once a pregnant woman is identified as having an HRP, she may receive ₹100 per visit as transportation assistance.
  
• This support is intended to help cover travel expenses for attending follow-up antenatal check-ups at PMSMA clinics or the nearest designated health facility.
  
• The assistance may be provided for a maximum of three follow-up visits.
  
• Follow-up check-ups are conducted by a doctor or obstetrician to monitor the mother’s health and identify any complications at an early stage.

This support helps reduce transportation-related barriers and encourages women with high-risk pregnancies to continue receiving timely and appropriate antenatal care.

Documents Required Under PMSMA

At Health Facility Visit

1. Mother & Child Protection (MCP) Card – If available
   
   
2. Aadhaar Card / Government-issued ID Proof
   
   
3. Previous Medical Records – If any
   
   
4. Antenatal Care (ANC) Records from previous visits
   
   
5. Prescription Slips – If applicable

For Registration

1. Address Proof – Ration Card / Voter ID / Utility Bill
   
2. Mobile Number
   
3. Emergency Contact Details

Optional Documents

1. Bank Account Details – For Direct Benefit Transfer (if applicable)
   
2. Husband’s Identity Proof – If required under local guidelines

Application Process – Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

• Visit a Government Health Facility
  • Go to a designated Government Hospital, Community Health Centre (CHC), Primary Health Centre (PHC), or other PMSMA facility.
    
    
    
• Visit on PMSMA Day
  • PMSMA services are generally provided on the 9th of every month. If the 9th is a holiday, services may be arranged on the next working day as per local guidelines.
    
    
    
• Complete Registration
  • Register at the facility and provide the required identification and antenatal-care details.
    
    
    
• Antenatal Check-up
  • Doctors and healthcare professionals conduct a comprehensive antenatal examination, including necessary tests and screening.
    
    
    
• Risk Assessment & Advice
  • Any high-risk pregnancy or health concerns are identified, and appropriate medical advice, treatment, or referral is provided.
    
    
    
• Follow Medical Advice
  • Continue regular antenatal check-ups and follow the healthcare provider’s instructions throughout pregnancy.

Conclusion

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is a Government of India initiative that aims to provide quality antenatal care to pregnant women, especially during the second and third trimesters. Pregnant women can visit designated government health facilities on PMSMA days to receive check-ups, necessary tests, risk assessment, and medical guidance. Regular antenatal care under this initiative helps identify pregnancy-related risks early and supports a safer pregnancy and healthy delivery.

Application Link in Below