Ladki Bahin Scheme Rule Change: E-KYC rules for the Ladki Bahin Scheme relaxed, funds will be deposited directly into women's accounts.
Ladki Bahin Scheme Update: Maharashtra Temporarily Halts e-KYC Rule to Ensure Timely Payments to Women
Maharashtra Eases e-KYC Rule in Ladki Bahin Scheme, Ensuring Smooth Fund Transfers to Beneficiaries
In a major relief for thousands of women across Maharashtra, the state government has temporarily suspended the mandatory e-KYC process under its flagship social welfare program — the Ladki Bahin Scheme. The decision was taken to ensure that the October installment of financial aid reaches all eligible women on time, without any delay or disruption caused by technical or verification issues.
What Is the Ladki Bahin Scheme?
The Ladki Bahin Scheme is a popular social initiative launched by the Maharashtra government to provide monthly financial support to women from economically weaker sections. The scheme aims to promote women’s empowerment and financial independence by directly transferring monetary assistance to their bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
However, a recent amendment made e-KYC verification mandatory for all beneficiaries — a move that caused concern among many women, especially those facing challenges in completing online verification. Responding to these difficulties, the government decided to pause the e-KYC requirement for now, giving immediate relief to millions of women.
Why Was e-KYC Introduced?
The electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) process was introduced to ensure transparency and authenticity in the scheme’s beneficiary list. Authorities noticed that, in some cases, ineligible or duplicate applicants were availing benefits under the program.
To prevent misuse, the government made PAN-based e-KYC verification compulsory to validate family income details, especially of the husband or father, ensuring only rightful beneficiaries received assistance.
However, many women faced difficulties — including technical issues, lack of access to digital tools, or missing PAN details — which delayed their verification and risked interrupting their monthly payments. This led the government to temporarily relax the rule to avoid hardship for genuine beneficiaries.
Who Benefits From This Decision?
According to government estimates, the suspension of the e-KYC process will benefit nearly 2.56 crore women across Maharashtra. These beneficiaries will receive their October installment directly into their bank accounts without delay.
The state government has also approved a budget of ₹3,960 crore to ensure smooth fund disbursement. Officials clarified that the scheme remains fully operational, dismissing rumors about its discontinuation. The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring that no deserving woman is deprived of her financial support due to procedural hurdles.
Government’s Stand and Future Plans
A senior minister confirmed that the Ladki Bahin Scheme will continue without interruption and that all eligible women will keep receiving benefits. The temporary suspension of e-KYC is a practical move aimed at addressing short-term issues rather than rolling back the reform entirely.
The government is also conducting a review of ineligible beneficiaries who may have been wrongly enrolled under the scheme. Once the verification process is streamlined, authorities are likely to reintroduce e-KYC with improved provisions to maintain both efficiency and accessibility.
Political and Social Impact
The Ladki Bahin Scheme has been instrumental in strengthening the government’s outreach to women voters, especially from low-income backgrounds. Analysts believe that the scheme’s success played a key role in bolstering support for the Mahayuti government in recent state elections.
By prioritizing women’s welfare and ensuring uninterrupted financial aid, the Maharashtra government has reaffirmed its commitment to social equity and empowerment. Officials have reiterated that the scheme will not be discontinued and will continue to play a pivotal role in improving the economic stability and dignity of women across the state.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra government’s decision to pause the e-KYC requirement under the Ladki Bahin Scheme is a timely and compassionate step that balances accountability with accessibility. While the state remains committed to transparency, it also recognizes the need to simplify processes for genuine beneficiaries.
For now, women across Maharashtra can breathe a sigh of relief as their monthly assistance reaches directly into their accounts — ensuring continued financial support and reinforcing the government’s focus on inclusive development.
