Maharashtra’s Laadki Bahin Beneficiary Count Drops by 86 Lakh After e KYC Verification

The latest figures show a sharp decline in the number of women receiving the Laadki Bahin stipend following the introduction of e KYC verification, highlighting data‑validation challenges and payment delays. 

Beneficiary Reduction Linked to e KYC Verification 

As per news reports, state officials report that the scheme, which listed 2,40,00,000 women, saw only 1,60,00,000 receive the December 2025 payout, a fall of 86,00,000 beneficiaries. The total pool under consideration shrank by 55,00,000 after e KYC checks.  

Between September 2025 and the 31 December 2025 deadline, 1,90,00,000 women submitted e KYC documents, and 1,60,00,000 with accurate details received the stipend. 

Form Design Issues and Incorrect Responses 

A confusing double‑negative question – “No one in your family works for the govt, right?” – led many applicants to answer affirmatively despite having no government employee in the family. This error contributed to the large number of incorrect submissions and subsequent exclusion from the payout. 

Payment Delays and Funding Flow 

The January 2026 stipend of ₹1,500 was not disbursed until 18 February 2026. Officials attribute the delay to staggered fund transfers from multiple departments, with the social welfare department often causing bottlenecks. 

Scheme Eligibility Criteria and Recent Scrutiny 

Introduced in July 2024, the Laadki Bahin scheme targets under‑privileged women aged 18 to 65, with annual family income below ₹2,50,000 and state domicile.  

The reviews have tightened eligibility, removing beneficiaries who own 4‑wheeler vehicles or hold government jobs. The state’s debt reached a record ₹9,30,00,00,00,000 in the last budget, prompting tighter fiscal controls. 

Read More: Maharashtra Removes Separate Non‑Agricultural Permission Requirement for Land Conversion! 

Conclusion 

The e KYC verification process has resulted in a reduction of 86,00,000 beneficiaries for the Laadki Bahin scheme, delayed payments, and heightened scrutiny of eligibility. Corrections to submitted forms remain open until 31 March 2026 via an online portal. 

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