evidence: Merely 3.97 lakh pregnant women in Bihar, against 15.01 lakh institutional deliveries, availed of benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, or central government’s maternity benefit scheme, in 2021–22, as per data compiled by the state’s women and child development department. [...] The PMMVY, which was inaugurated in 2017, provides financial assistance for wage loss during expectant mothers’ non-working days and is seen as especially crucial for not only ensuring women’s financial security but also countering maternal and child health issues in states with low per capita income, such as Bihar. [...] The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is funded by both the central and state governments. However, the scheme is often criticised for inadequate budgetary allocations, and gaps in implementation.