Maharashtra removes over 92 lakh women from 'Ladki Bahin Scheme'

In Maharashtra, a state-wide verification exercise has led to the removal of nearly 92 lakh beneficiaries from “Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana”, significantly reducing the number of women covered under the flagship welfare programme.The verification exercise, which began in September 2025, has brought down the total number of beneficiaries from a peak of around 2.43 crore to just over 1.5 crore women. The numbers also dropped due to various reasons related to eligibility criteria.
Approximately 50 to 55 lakh women failed to complete the e-KYC process within the stipulated timeframe. The annual family income of 12 lakh women exceeded the scheme's prescribed limit, and over 4.5 lakh women were above the maximum age limit of 65 years. Additionally, around 14,000 men attempted to avail themselves of the scheme's benefits and were consequently removed from the list. Officials also identified around 29,000 men and nearly 8,000 government employees who had received benefits despite being ineligible.
The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections and provides Rs 1,500 per month to women aged 21 to 65 years from families with an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh. The scheme does not cover government employees, income tax payers or beneficiaries already receiving assistance under certain other welfare programmes. According to information, recovery proceedings had been initiated against government employees, male beneficiaries and other ineligible recipients identified during the verification exercise under the Revenue Recovery Receipt mechanism. District Collectors have also been directed to recover the amounts paid to such beneficiaries.