BIG Update on Ladki Bahin Yojana: Maharashtra Govt Cuts Funding For Welfare Scheme By 26,500 Crore

Ladki Bahin Yojana Update: The Maharashtra government has recently imposed a massive cut in Ladki Bahin Yojana, also known as Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, capital outlay by 26% for the year 2026-27. The new Maharashtra government budget has declined to Rs 26,500 crore for the scheme, reported the Indian Express.

The women-centric welfare scheme gained massive popularity in Maharashtra. However, the state government has reduced the Ladki Bahin Yojana beneficiaries list over the past few months after carrying out the verification process of beneficiaries.

Maharashtra Govt Reduces Allocation for Ladki Bahin Yojana

In the Maharashtra Budget 2026-27, the state government has sharply reduced funding for the Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Meanwhile, the uncertainty around the increment in Ladki Bahin Yojana instalment amount continues to remain as it is. Under the welfare scheme, beneficiaries get around Rs 1,500 payout every month, but the Mahayuti government earlier announced that the amount will be raised to Rs 2,100.

As per an IE report, the new budget provides Rs 26,500 crore for the scheme, which is less than the Rs 36,000 crore allocated in the year 2025-26. The earlier outlay for the scheme rose after the state government sought an additional Rs 6,102 crore through supplementary demands during the current financial year.

About Ladki Bahin Yojana

The Maharashtra government introduced a welfare initiative known as the Ladki Bahin Yojana, alternatively referred to as the Ladki Bahini Yojana or Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana. This program is designed to provide financial assistance to women between the ages of 21 and 65. Through this scheme, qualified women will receive a sum of Rs 1,500 each month, which will be deposited directly into their bank accounts. This move aims to empower women within this age bracket by offering them financial support.

Ladki Bahin Yojana Benefits

Ladki Bahin Yojana is a woman welfare scheme, where the Maharashtra government offers monthly financial assistance of R 1,500 to eligible women. The scheme was launched as an extension of Madhya Pradesh's Ladli Bahin Yojana scheme, which was launched by the state government in 2023.

Ladki Bahin Yojana Eligibility

To be eligible for the programme, individuals must meet several criteria. They should reside in Maharashtra and be between 21 and 65 years old. Additionally, having a bank account linked to Aadhaar is necessary.

At one stage, around 2.43 crore women were registered under the Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which pushed the state's annual liability close to Rs 43,700 crore at the present payout level. Concerns about this growing fiscal burden, and complaints of irregularities led to a large verification drive of applicants and beneficiaries.