Maharashtra's Laadki Bahin Scheme Witnesses Sharp Decline in Beneficiaries Following e-KYC Implementation
In a significant development, the number of women receiving the final payout under the Mahayuti government's flagship Mukhya Mantri Majhi Laadki Bahin Yojana has plummeted by a staggering 86 lakh since the introduction of mandatory e-KYC verification, according to official statements. This dramatic reduction highlights the impact of digital authentication processes on welfare schemes.
Substantial Drop in Beneficiary Numbers
Maharashtra had previously listed over 2.4 crore beneficiaries under this ambitious scheme until last year. However, only approximately 1.6 crore beneficiaries actually received the December 2025 payout, which was distributed in mid-January. This represents a decline of 86 lakh recipients, marking a substantial contraction in the scheme's reach.
The total number of beneficiaries under consideration for the program decreased by 55 lakh overall. From September 2025 until the December 31, 2025 deadline, only 1.9 crore women out of the original 2.4 crore beneficiaries submitted their required e-KYC documents. Among these submissions, nearly 1.6 crore women whose e-KYC details were verified as accurate received their December 2025 stipend.
Problematic e-KYC Form and Payment Delays
A critical issue emerged with a poorly worded question in the e-KYC form that contained a confusing double negative. The question stated: "No one in your family works for the govt, right?" This formulation led to widespread confusion, with many women who did not have family members in government service mistakenly answering in the affirmative instead of correctly marking 'No'.
Beneficiaries also experienced significant delays in receiving their January stipend of Rs 1,500 under the scheme. As of February 18, many had not yet received this payment. Officials attributed this delay to incomplete fund transfers from various distributing departments.
"The finance department distributes our funds through several departments. The funds which come to us from the social welfare department tend to get delayed," explained a senior official familiar with the scheme's administration.
Scheme Background and Eligibility Scrutiny
Introduced in July 2024, the Laadki Bahin scheme provides a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 to underprivileged women aged 18 to 65 with annual family incomes below Rs 2.5 lakh who are domiciled in Maharashtra. This initiative played a crucial role in the Mahayuti coalition's return to power during the 2024 state assembly elections.
Following the elections, the government initiated rigorous scrutiny of the scheme to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries, particularly as the state's finances faced intense pressure from pre-election promises. The verification process examined several key criteria:
- Annual family income limit of Rs 2.5 lakh
- Domicile status within Maharashtra
- Ownership of four-wheeler vehicles
- Employment in government positions
Those found to possess four-wheeler vehicles or holding government jobs were systematically debarred from receiving benefits under the scheme.
Financial Context and Future Implications
The Maharashtra state government is confronting its highest-ever debt of Rs 9.3 lakh crore as recorded in the last budget, creating substantial fiscal challenges. With the next budget scheduled for March, authorities are expected to implement stricter financial controls and potentially tighten expenditure across various programs.
Officials have established a correction window until March 31 for the 1.9 crore forms submitted with e-KYC documents. Beneficiaries can make necessary corrections through a dedicated online portal during this period to potentially restore their eligibility for future payments.
