Every pregnancy carries hope—not only for the family but also for the future of a community and the nation. Ensuring a safe pregnancy and healthy childbirth is therefore fundamental to both public health and human development. Yet pregnancy also involves risks that, if not identified and managed in time, may endanger the lives of both mother and child. Maternal health remains one of the clearest indicators of the strength and inclusiveness of a country's healthcare system. 

Before the launch of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA), maternal mortality remained a major public health challenge. During 2014–16, India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) stood at 130 per lakhlive births. 

The situation underscored the urgent need to strengthen maternal healthcare services across the country. Additionally, India had committed itself to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Maternal health was also identified as a key priority under the National Health Policy, 2017, reinforcing the need for focused and sustained interventions. It was against this backdrop that the Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA) in 2016. 

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA)

Launched on June 9, 2016, PMSMA provides free, comprehensive antenatal care to pregnant women — particularly those in their second and third trimesters — at designated government health facilities on the 9th of every month. The programme aims to ensure early risk detection, timely medical intervention, and safer pregnancies for every woman in India, regardless of where she lives.

The service package of PMSMA includes clinical examinations, laboratory investigations (blood and urine tests), ultrasonography, medicines, and counselling on nutrition, birth planning, and safe pregnancy practices. Key features include:

• Minimum one comprehensive and quality antenatal checkup by Obstetrician & Gynaecologist or Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC).
• Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) / Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) trained doctor during the second or third trimester.
• Mobilizing the pregnant women for specialist Antenatal care services at designated public health facilities.
• High Risk Pregnancy (HRP) identification by screening for 25 high risk factors and management at an early stage.
• Linking of HRPs to the nearest first referral unit (FRU) for a safe delivery.
• Empanelment of private service providers for PMSMA service provision.
• Service package includes essential blood & urine investigations and ultrasonography.
• Counselling on nutrition, appropriate birth planning and complication readiness for each pregnant woman.

A sticker indicating the condition and risk factor of pregnant women are added onto Mother and Child Protection cards for each visit:

The Doctor Volunteer System

The program actively welcomes OB-GYN specialists, radiologists, and physicians from the private sector to volunteer their time on the 9th of every month. The Prime Minister himself called on doctors to dedicate just 12 days a year to this cause during a 'Mann Ki Baat' address. Doctors can register through the official PMSMA portal . Volunteers are recognised through the IPledgeFor9' Achievers Awards for their contributions.

Expanding Reach Across India

What began as a targeted maternal health intervention has grown into a nationwide movement. Since its launch, PMSMA has steadily expanded its reach across districts, health facilities, and communities.

-----------------------------Advertisement------------------------------------

Notably, India achieved a 43 points reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio, bringing it down from 130 to 87 maternal deaths per lakh live births between 2014–16 and 2022–24.

Extended PMSMA: Strengthening Follow-Up Care

Recognising that identifying high-risk pregnancies is only the first step, the Government launched the Extended PMSMA Strategy in January 2022 to strengthen follow-up care. The initiative ensures that women identified as high-risk receive additional antenatal check-ups, continuous monitoring and timely medical support throughout pregnancy. Every high-risk pregnancy is individually tracked until a safe delivery is achieved. While, financial incentives support both the beneficiary and the accompanying Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker for up to three additional visits. SMS alerts are sent to the beneficiary as well as to the ASHA worker for registration of HRP & follow-up visits.

Working Alongside Other Maternal Health Initiatives

PMSMA does not operate in isolation. It forms part of a larger ecosystem of maternal and child health programmes implemented by the Government. 

• The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) promotes institutional deliveries. Since 2014-15, it has benefited more than 11.96 crore women as of March 2025.
• The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)provides free healthcare services to pregnant women and newborns. Since 2014-15, more than 18.05 crore beneficiaries receiving support under the scheme.
• The Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN)strengthens quality maternal healthcare through a network of over 99,290 facilities.
• Other initiatives such as Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN) Abhiyaan, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative (LaQshya) address maternal nutrition, maternity benefits, and quality of care in labour rooms. 

Together, these programmes create a comprehensive framework for maternal and newborn health.

Celebrating 10 Years of PMSMA

The Government is commemorating 10 years of PMSMA through:

• Ayushman Arogya Shivirs at 1.8 lakh Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs:  Quality antenatal care (ANC) services are being provided at 1.8 lakh Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs in the country.

•Community Awareness programmes are being organised through Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND), Jan Arogya Samiti (JAS) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). 

• Special PMSMA Session are being held at all District Hospitals / Sub-District Hospitals /First Referral Units (FRU) and other designated PMSMA facilities.

Ten Years, Looking Ahead

Over the past decade, the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan has transformed the delivery of antenatal care in India. Quality maternal healthcare is now more accessible, systematic and responsive. 

Through early identification of high-risk pregnancies, regular monitoring, and timely medical intervention, the programme has helped strengthen maternal healthcare services across the country and contributed to improved health outcomes for mothers and newborns alike. 

PMSMA has demonstrated that when quality healthcare reaches women at the right time, it saves lives, prevents complications and creates healthier beginnings for families and future generations. 

As India marches towards Viksit Bharat@2047, PMSMA will continue to transform the maternal healthcare landscape by ensuring that every pregnancy is safer and every mother receives the care she deserves. 

The remarkable decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio from 130 to 87 over the past decade demonstrates how focused interventions can save thousands of lives. With continued commitment and collective action, PMSMA can help usher in an era where no woman loses her life while giving life, strengthening the foundations of a healthier and more prosperous India.