The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has approved a ₹250 increase in the monthly allowance under the Ladli Behna Yojana, raising it from ₹1,250 to ₹1,500. The revised amount will take effect from November 2025, marking a significant step toward women’s financial empowerment in the State.
Empowering Women Through Financial Support
The Ladli Behna Yojana provides monthly financial assistance to women aged 21–60 years with an annual family income below ₹2.5 lakh. Currently, more than 1.26 crore women are beneficiaries. The hike is expected to cost the State an additional ₹1,793.75 crore for the ongoing financial year 2025–26.
CM Yadav said the decision reflects the government’s commitment to uplift women and ensure economic stability for families. “The Ladli Behna scheme is not merely an assistance programme but a promise of empowerment and dignity,” he stated during the Cabinet meeting.
Background and Implementation
The scheme was originally launched in March 2023 by former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with ₹1,000 per month assistance. It was raised to ₹1,250 in October 2023, just before the State Assembly elections.
Now, with the latest hike, the government will disburse over ₹1,541 crore monthly, while the new increase adds ₹1,793.75 crore to the annual expenditure. The total projected outlay for the scheme in FY 2025–26 stands at ₹20,450.99 crore.
Budget and Political Commitment
Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda had earlier allocated ₹18,669 crore for the scheme in the State Budget 2025–26. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in its 2023 election manifesto, had promised to gradually increase the allowance to ₹3,000 per month by 2028.
A Step Toward a Self-Reliant Madhya Pradesh
The scheme aims to enhance women’s financial independence and reduce gender-based economic disparity. By raising the allowance, the Yadav government hopes to strengthen household economies and boost participation of women in local development.
Officials confirmed that the revised payments will begin after Diwali, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the increased amount directly in their bank accounts.
